History

One of the principal virtues of the Cambridge Historical Tripos is that it permits students to combine a programme of work in which horizons are steadily broadened, with a remarkably wide choice of specialist subjects, including not only British and European history, but also extra-European history, intellectual history and other subjects and approaches not commonly found in history studies at school.

Such a course of study can only be fully exploited under close personal tuition. A second virtue of the Historical Tripos is that it is undertaken within the ‘classic’ Cambridge system of teaching. The student’s working life revolves around regular weekly individual or small group supervisions (though there are also seminars and lectures). The College Fellows also organise regular classes in historical methodology, sometimes in connection with undergraduates from other colleges. As a foundation that has been fortunate in its past benefactions, Emmanuel has a good Library with a strong History section and also a special bequest whose income is specifically devoted to the furtherance of the study of History (the Whitaker Fund). This fund is used for a variety of purposes, including assistance to students with dissertation expenses, the provision of an annual History dinner and a subsidy to the College History Society (run entirely by undergraduates).

Admissions Information

Standard Offer: A-level - A*AA; IB - 776 at Higher Level, 42 points overall; Advanced Highers: A1A2A2; other exam systems.
Course Requirements: No specific subjects required, although A-level (or equivalent) History is highly desirable.
Course Outline: Further details are available on the Department's website.
Applying: For information on how to apply: University application process and Emmanuel application timeline.
Submitted Work:

Applicants will be asked – following receipt of their application – to submit two pieces of written work. These should be in essay format with a word limit of up to 2,000 words per sample. The work can be extracted from coursework or an EPQ. All work must be original and not re-written or corrected for Cambridge. The deadline for submission will be early November.
Admissions Assessment: All applicants, who are shortlisted for interview, will take a written assessment. An assessment specification is available online. The College's Admissions Officer will register applicants for the assessment. Date of assessment: Thursday 23 November 2023.
Interviews:

Candidates should normally expect two interviews. The interviews will take place during the period Monday 4 - Wednesday 13 December 2023. Specific subject dates will be emailed to applicants in November.

Applicants will be given a reading passage 20-30 minutes prior to one of the interviews. A discussion of the reading will form part of the interview.
Course Enquiries: Emmanuel Admissions Office