Q: Why should I study history?

The past shapes the future . When you study history, you gain a deeper understanding of the past’s influence on contemporary society and the issues we face. Your studies will also give you a greater appreciation for cultural diversity, which can help you work with people from different backgrounds. Your degree will equip you with valuable skills in critical thinking, research, and analysis, which can be applied across a range of careers.

Question 1

What will I learn in a history course?

Accepted Answer

A history course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the past and its impact on the present. When you study history, you learn about:

Key historical events and prominent figures that shaped the world
Methodologies for historical research
Historical contexts and their impacts
Different historical periods and regions
Critical thinking and how to present alternate views on topics

Question 2

What history specialisations are available?

Accepted Answer

A range of history specialisations are available to suit your interests and career goals.

Choose from areas including:

Ancient history: Explore ancient civilisations and assess how their legacies have informed the modern world. You’ll learn about key events, cultures, ideologies, and the figures that laid the foundation for society as we know it today.
Australian history: Australia has a rich and diverse past, from early Indigenous cultures to contemporary events. You’ll discover how historical developments influenced Australia’s current cultural and social landscape.
Modern history: Examine recent historical events like World War I and II and analyse what’s shaping the modern world.
Family history: Explore genealogical research to uncover how personal and familial histories influence our identities.
Art history: Art is a rich part of all phases of history. Investigate the ways in which art has evolved through different periods and styles, and study how art reflects and influences history.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Browse related courses in religion, sociology, geography, languages or the rest of the humanities.

Question 3

Why should I study history?

Accepted Answer

The past shapes the future. When you study history, you gain a deeper understanding of the past’s influence on contemporary society and the issues we face. Your studies will also give you a greater appreciation for cultural diversity, which can help you work with people from different backgrounds.

Your degree will equip you with valuable skills in critical thinking, research, and analysis, which can be applied across a range of careers.

Question 4

Why should I study an online history course?

Accepted Answer

When you learn your history lessons online, you can watch your lectures, access your course materials and interact with your classmates from virtually anywhere. This gives you the flexibility to work full or part-time, care for family members, or travel—and enrich your historical knowledge with real-world experiences.

You can also access universities based across Australia, which means you can choose from a greater variety of courses.

Question 5

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

Question 6

What ATAR do I need to get into a history degree?

Accepted Answer

The average ATAR for a history degree typically ranges from 60 to 80. However, many history courses available through Open Universities Australia do not require an ATAR for entry.

Instead, you can enrol in single subjects without entry requirements, and progress to a full degree once you have successfully completed those subjects. If you have relevant work or vocational experience, you might also qualify for entry through a work and life experience pathway.

Read more about how to get into university without an ATAR.

Question 7

What career opportunities can I explore as a history graduate?

Accepted Answer

A history degree can open the door to many exciting career opportunities. You might find work as a:

Question 8

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Accepted Answer

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Question 9

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

History courses

Introduction to History