History
- Number of students per year: approximately seven to eight
- Typical offer: A*AA or equivalent; we accept a wide range of other qualifications
- Essential subjects: History
- Useful subjects: languages, Mathematics, English Literature
History at Jesus College is a forward looking, friendly, and open subject that welcomes students from every school background and every part of the world. We're committed to widening access to Cambridge, and provide strong support and encouragement to our students to help them excel in their studies. Our top priority is to admit bright students with a genuine love of History.
The interests of the current Fellows in History range widely across different periods and places, from early modern Europe, to the history of political thought, to nineteenth-century America and the Atlantic world; all of the History Fellows regularly teach Jesus undergraduates. We place particular emphasis on getting to know our undergraduates and teaching them in College, as well as sending them to expert supervisors in other Colleges.
We have between 25 and 30 undergraduate historians at Jesus, including joint degree students in History and Modern Languages and History and Politics. There are also typically between 10 and 15 postgraduate students doing MPhil and PhD degrees in History and related subjects. Together, they form a lively and friendly community of historians.
Our student run History Society and other events give students a chance to socialise together outside of work. Recent Jesus history undergraduates have gone on to postgraduate study in History and other subjects, and to careers in areas including law, the civil service, the charity sector, management consultancy, finance, journalism, social work, museum and gallery work, and theatre directing.
Requirements
Our typical conditional offer is for an A* and two A grades at A-Level or equivalent.
An A-Level, or equivalent, in History is essential for reading History at Jesus.
We welcome applications from students with other qualifications comparable to A Level, such as the Scottish Advanced Highers, the International Baccalaureate, and other school leaving examinations.
Written assessment
You are not currently required to sit a written admissions assessment.
Interviews
In 2024-25, we’ll be interviewing shortlisted applicants virtually, with interviews taking place in December.
The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject. Candidates are typically interviewed by at least three subject specialists, including the Director of Studies, and total contact time will be between 35-50 minutes in total. This could be in a single interview, or in two separate interviews. Further details will be made available to candidates closer to the time.
Find out more about the interview process on the University website.
Written work
You'll be asked to submit two pieces of written work. Writing skills are fundamental to success in the Cambridge History course. Please send us examples of what you consider to be your best work, preferably coursework essays or essays written as part of your course. Please choose something from your History A-Level, if you are taking it.
International applicants
We mostly refer to A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate for our entry requirements, but we accept a wide variety of qualifications from all over the world. The University website lists the international qualifications we accept. We expect students to be on track to achieve the highest grades in whichever qualification system they are studying.
Deferred and post A-Level entry
We're happy to consider post A-Level and deferred applications in History. We also welcome applications from mature students. You will normally have already achieved A*AA at A-Level, and your application must go through the normal competitive process with the other applicants. The College is also happy to consider second time applicants without prejudice.
Find out how to apply to study at Jesus.
