+91 9870 310 350 About Us Mindler for Schools Contact Us Sign Up
Programs
Class 8-9
Stream & Subject Selection

Advanced assessment & personalised guidance to help you select the perfect stream and subjects that align you to the right careers.

Learn more
Class 10-12
Career Selection & Planning

Expert guidance & 5-dimensional assessment to help you discover your perfect career and choose the right course and college.

Learn more
Graduates
Career Selection & Development

5-dimensional assessment & superior guidance to help you discover your perfect career and choose the best next step.

Learn more
Success Stories
Career Library
Everything you need to know, from colleges to scope, for hundreds of careers.
Blog Pricing Log In
Career Helpline: +91 9870 310 350
Programs
Class 8-9
Stream & Subject Selection Learn more
Class 10-12
Career Selection & Planning Learn more
Graduates
Career Selection & Development Learn more
Resources
Career Library

History

Home > Career Library > Social Sciences Humanities > History
Choose another Career

History

Summary

Historians study about the past. Their typical job activities include gathering historical data from numerous sources, holding research on historical information, providing advice or guidance on historical topics, as well as writing reports, articles and books on historical findings and theories. A degree in history supports the development of various significant skills like documentation, argumentation, writing and research.

Career Opportunities in History

  • Research Arena
    After earning an advanced degree in history, one might choose Research Historian as a career. Indian Council of Historian Research ( ICHR) is an autonomous organization that encourages historical research.
  • Government Organizations
    A history degree is also useful in the civil services. One might conduct research to provide historical context for current policy issues or do some other related work. Intelligence Agencies also hire historians to write history of significant moments or events within the agency.
  • Historical Associations
    Historians preserve artifacts and explain the historical significance of a wide variety of subjects, such as historic buildings, battlegrounds, religious groups etc.
  • Education
    After earning a Ph.D degree in history one may become a professor in the college settings or also choose to become a high school teacher or a post-secondary teacher with a B.Ed. degree.
  • Editing and Publishing
    Students of history may find employment in a wide variety of publishing areas, including university presses, textbook and trade houses, magazines and journals, professional associations, museums, and institutional publication offices.
  • Consultants and Contractors
    A career in consulting is ideal for historians who are adventurous or prefer flexibility and a variety of projects. History consultants can perform jobs such as preparing surveying site's, processing an archival collection for a corporation, or researching an exhibit for a museum or court case. Contract historians on the other hand often work on projects in historic preservation, archaeology, architectural history, landscape architecture, and litigation.

How to Pursue a Career in History

Stream Graduation After Graduation After Post Graduation
path 1
Class XII with Humanities Pursue B. A.(H) History for 3 yearsPursue Masters in History for 1-2 years in India or AbroadPursue M.Phil. in History for 2 years or/and Ph.D. for 3-4 years
path 2
Class XII in Humanities with History as a subject Pursue B.A.(H) History for 3 yearsAppear for UPSC examination.-

Important Facts

  • No mandatory subject in Class XII.
  • Most of the institutes for post-graduation require bachelors in any field or in History or/and related subjects.
  • For Lectureship in History, National Educational Test (NET) or Ph.D. is mandatory
  • Most colleges have eligibility criteria of minimum 50% aggregate marks in Class XII.
  • Most Colleges/Institutes provide admission on the basis of Class 12th Percentage. Some institutes also conduct interviews.
  • There are various other colleges in Delhi University who offer this course.

Leading Institutes

Top History Institutes in India
College Location Website
Lady Shri Ram College for Women New Delhi www.lsr.edu.in
St. Stephens College New Delhi www.ststephens.edu
Hindu College New Delhi www.hinducollege.ac.in
Loyola College, Chennai Chennai www.loyolacollege.edu
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai Mumbai www.xaviers.edu
Ashoka University Sonepat www.ashoka.edu.in
Madras Christian College Chennai www.mcc.edu.in
Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune www.unipune.ac.in
Stella Maris College, Chennai Chennai www.stellamariscollege.org
Presidency College, Chennai Chennai www.presidencychennai.com
Mount Carmel College Bangalore www.mountcarmelcollegeblr.co.in
Rajasthan University Rajasthan www.banasthali.org/banasthali/wcms/en/home
Annamalai University Tamil Nadu www.annamalaiuniversity.ac.in
Mysore University Karnataka www.uni-mysore.ac.in
Tamil University Tamil Nadu www.tamiluniversity.ac.in
Daulat Ram College New Delhi www. dr.du.ac.in
Indira Gandhi Delhi technical University for Woman Delhi www.igdtuw.ac.in
Top History Institutes in the World
Institution Location Website
University of Cambridge United Kingdom www.cam.ac.uk
University of Oxford United Kingdom www.ox.ac.uk
Harvard University United States www.harvard.edu
University of California, Berkeley United States www.berkeley.edu
Yale University United States www.yale.edu
London School of Economics & Political Science United Kingdom www.lse.ac.uk
Stanford University United States www.stanford.edu/
The Australian National University Australia www.anu.edu.au
University of Toronto Canada www.utoronto.ca
University College London United Kingdom www.ucl.ac.uk
University of California, Los Angeles United States www.ucla.edu

Work Description

  • Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs
  • Conduct historical research for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials
  • Research on and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives
  • Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibition
  • Advise individuals and institutions regarding issues such as the historical authenticity of materials or the customs of a specific historical period
  • Interview people to gather information about historical events and to record oral histories
  • Impart and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools

Pros & Cons of a Career in History

Pros
  • Is a fascinating subject to study
  • Teaches analytical, reading and writing skills
  • Is a flexible subject for higher education and government jobs
Cons
  • A Ph.D. and master’s is required to pursue this field
  • The number of jobs directly related to this field are low
  • Initial pay package is low
Are you fit for a career in History?

Take the world's most-advanced assessment!

Start Now For Free

Related Articles

Did you find this information helpful? YesNo
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks - please tell us how to help you better.
SubmitCancel
June Offer

15% OFF

Use coupon code JUNE15, and
get 15% Off on any Mindler program.

Buy Now

Offer Expires on Jun 30, 2018

June Offer: 15% Off