1. Transferable skills

Studying History provides a student with skills which are not confined to the study of the past. Skills of analysis are invaluable in many jobs, and the ability to analyse and then prioritise information is vital to decision making. This not only provides a skills set for a student but it also keeps career options open. 

2. History is relevant

There is a stigma attached to History that it is based entirely in the distant past, but this does not account for the huge amount of modern history which is studied in such depth. In order to make sense of current affairs it is important to study the past, as everything which is happening around us has been influenced by, and is a direct result of, that which preceded it. In this way, the study of History is explicitly relevant to us.  

“I could give you some banal quote about learning from the past-especially that truly annoying one about “those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat history”. Actually, only my first years who discover Tollies (the pub where students hang out) are doomed to repeat History. Of Course one learns from History- but it mainly offers lessons like “Do not invade Russia in the winter.” Instead, I think the real value of learning about the past is to defamiliarise the present. To know that it was not always so amazingly powerful. It can empower humans to challenge a status quo that they are otherwise taught to believe is “natural”, “biological” and “incontrovertible”. My job is to expose that it has a history. Thus if it has changed, it can be further changed.”

Professor Sandra Swart, Department of History at Stellenbosch University.

3. A History degree is an investment in your future

If studied at an esteemed university such as Stellenbosch, a degree in History can be an impressive and attractive feature on a CV. 

4. A degree in History encourages independence 

A degree in History endorses independence in young people. The typically few contact hours offered by a History degree enable students to lead their own inquiries into the past, while still offering the reassurance of a lecturer who can support and help develop potential theories or lines of thought. Knowledge is not just handed over at degree level; it requires hard work, and in a subject dominated by reading, students will develop self-sufficiency and become less dependent pupils. 

5. Studying History provides cultural awareness

By looking at the history of different cultures, a History student can build up a better understanding of why certain peoples act the way they do. By studying at the various tributaries of humanity, a broad cultural awareness is yours for the taking.

6. A History degree allows us to learn from the past

Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Postsecondary Education
Historic Sites and Museums

Historians as Researchers

Museums and Historical Organizations
Cultural Resources Management and Historic Preservation
Think Tanks

Historians as Communicators

Writers and Editors
Journalists
Documentary Editors
Producers of Multimedia Material

Historians as Information Managers

Archivists
Records Managers
Librarians
Information Managers

Historians as Advocates

Lawyers and Paralegals
Litigation Support
Legislative Staff Work
Foundations

Historians in Businesses and Associations

Historians in Corporations
Contract Historians
Historians and Non-profit Associations

Former graduates have found lucrative jobs at Capitec Bank as policy analysts, wine ambassador at La Motte Wine Farm, publishing at Shuter & Shooter and 30 Degrees South, Cape Town Archives, Anglo-Boer War Museum, environmental Ngos, film consultants, Promotions, Productions and Creative Assistant at Jacaranda FM, Parliamentary research, military history content advisor in the film industry and more.

You may contact Prof Swart S at sss@sun.ac.za and Dr T Dube at tdube01@sun.ac.za