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Historian

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A historian studies and writes about the past. They look at old documents, artefacts and records to learn how people lived and what happened in different times. In the UK historians may work in museums archives universities or heritage sites. Skills include careful reading of sources, asking good questions, organising information and writing clear explanations for others to learn from the past.

Historian

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📊 Statistics

Typical salary range

In the United Kingdom a historian may earn around 23 000 to 30 000 pounds a year in early career roles such as assistant researchers or museum assistants, rising to about 40 000 to 60 000 pounds with more experience or in senior roles.

Jobs in the UK

There are many historian roles across the UK including museums archives universities and heritage organisations. Estimated number of vacancies varies by year but roles are commonly posted in humanities and social science sectors.

Education usually needed

Most historians have a bachelor degree in history and many have a master degree or PhD for higher level research or academic jobs.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Museum assistant

Help organise displays and greet visitors at a local history museum so people can learn about the past

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Archivist helper

Assist in keeping old documents safe and tidy in a school or local archive so future generations can learn from them

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Historic site guide

Lead short talks and tours at a castle or old building to tell visitors interesting facts about history

Study and Explore

Learn about history

Start by reading books and watching age appropriate videos about history.

Ask a tutor or teacher to help pick interesting topics. Create a small reading list with pictures and simple timelines to build understanding of eras and events.

Visit local archives or museums

Go to libraries or museums to see real artefacts and documents from the past.

Ask staff to explain what you are looking at. Take simple notes about what you see and what it might tell us about the people who lived long ago.

Practice asking questions

Learn to ask questions like who, what, when, where, why and how about historical events.

Write down your questions and try to find clues in books or exhibits that help answer them. This builds curiosity and critical thinking.

Study History in more depth

Take history at school and beyond

Do well in history lessons and consider projects or clubs that explore the past.

Join a history club or start a mini project about a local historical topic. Use simple timelines and maps to organise information.

Learn research basics

Understand how to find reliable information and note sources.

Practice documenting where you found information and why you think it is trustworthy. Learn to compare different sources like books and museum labels.

Develop communication skills

Practice writing short reports or presenting findings in a clear way.

Prepare a small talk or poster about a historical topic and present it to family or friends. Focus on telling a story with a beginning, middle and end.

Prepare for Further Study

Choose suitable subjects

Select GCSEs and A-levels that help with history, languages, geography and data skills.

Think about subjects that help you understand different cultures and times, such as history, geography, and a language. Gain IT and research skills as well.

Plan for university or alternatives

Consider university degrees in history, archaeology, or heritage studies, or apprenticeship routes in research or museums.

Explore what degrees other students chose, look at entry requirements and consider visiting university open days or local heritage centres for practical experience.

Gain practical experience

Volunteer or intern at libraries, archives or museums to build hands on skills.

Ask about volunteering programmes or work experience opportunities. Build a small portfolio of research projects and notes from visits.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Historian. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

Both roles rely on rigorous research, critical analysis and documentation to understand artefacts within historical contexts and determine significance. A historian’s training in provenance, dating, and source evaluation aligns with an art valuer’s need to assess authenticity, condition and market value using comparable sources and professional appraisal standards.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could complete a degree in a subject, such as art history, fine arts and restoration or fine arts conservation.

After your degree if you could then take professional training in valuation. You could also do a specialist postgraduate course, like art market and appraisal or arts business.

Internships

Some large auction houses offer internship programmes for university students.

Your university careers service can give you advice about internships and work experience placements, and how to find them.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Work

You could work in an auction house or antiques business as an assistant, porter or cataloguer. This is a great opportunity to learn through experience and part time study.

Volunteering

You might find it useful to get some work experience as getting in to this work can be competitive. Volunteering can also help you to get started in this career.

Other Routes

You could join a graduate training scheme with a large auction house. Employers only offer a few of these each year.

You'll usually need a degree in a subject like history of art or fine art, along with relevant art and business experience.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in culture and heritage from the Museums Association.

You can also get information about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

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