UK Higher Diploma in History
Course Overview
The UK Higher Diploma in History is a senior-level qualification delivered entirely online through LOU's virtual learning environment, designed for practitioners who have completed advanced historical or humanities study and are ready to develop integrated research management and heritage leadership capabilities. Over 15 to 18 months, the programme deepens expertise in historiographical methodology, archival research, oral history practices and the management of heritage projects and cultural programmes, with content aligned with British Academy and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) standards.
Students study from anywhere in the world, engaging with live online lectures, recorded sessions available on demand and digital library access to extensive historical archives and primary source collections. By graduation, graduates will have the research leadership, analytical depth and project management competencies to operate as senior practitioners in academic, heritage and cultural sectors.
Key Features
- Content aligned with AHRC and British Academy research standards for advanced historical study
- Modules in advanced historiography, research design, archival methodology and oral history
- Heritage management and cultural programme coordination within institutional contexts
- Live online lectures, recorded sessions available on demand, and virtual tutorial sessions with academic historians and heritage practitioners
- Digital library access to historical databases, JSTOR, primary source archives and digitised manuscript collections
- Collaborative research projects and peer seminar discussions within LOU's virtual learning community
- Online career support for academic research, heritage management and public history roles
What You Will Learn
- Design and lead advanced historical research projects applying rigorous primary and secondary source methodology
- Evaluate historiographical traditions and situate your research within broader intellectual debates
- Manage heritage collections, archives and museum programmes within institutional frameworks
- Apply oral history and community history methodologies to recover under-documented historical narratives
- Produce extended scholarly writing of publication standard in advanced historical contexts
- Coordinate research teams and external partnerships for heritage, preservation and public history projects
- Critically assess the relationship between history, politics and public memory in contemporary societies
- Develop policy recommendations and public communication materials based on historical evidence
Who This Course Is For
- Advanced Diploma graduates in history or humanities who wish to progress to research leadership level
- Heritage professionals, archivists and museum staff seeking a formally recognised Level 5+ qualification
- Journalists, documentary producers and content creators with a focus on historical subjects
- Teachers and educators seeking advanced credentials in history for career progression
- Professionals who need flexible online study to develop senior research skills alongside existing commitments
Career Pathways
- Academic Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
- Press Officer
- Media Relations Director
- Content Strategist
- Publishing Director
LOU's online career support service provides virtual CV workshops, LinkedIn profile coaching and online interview preparation for graduates targeting academic, heritage, media and cultural sector roles.
Entry Requirements
- A completed Advanced Diploma or equivalent Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline
- Alternatively, 3+ years of supervisory or professional experience with a portfolio statement
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency for international applicants
- Two academic or professional references
- Online interview with the LOU admissions team via video call
Why Study at LOU
LOU — London Online University — is an online-first institution that delivers every programme through its virtual learning environment, making advanced historical study accessible via LOU's online platform to practitioners worldwide. The UK Higher Diploma in History is supported by academic historians and heritage professionals who guide students through rigorous research and analytical work.
LOU's digital library access and virtual tutorial sessions ensure that online students engage with the same depth of primary and secondary source materials as campus-based researchers. Graduates of the UK Higher Diploma in History are well positioned to progress to the Bachelor of History and Heritage Studies, or to apply for roles in academic research, heritage management and public history institutions.
Apply for UK Higher Diploma in History
The UK Higher Diploma in History at LOU offers the research leadership, historiographical depth and heritage management skills to advance your career in academic, cultural and heritage sectors, delivered entirely online with global accessibility. Enrol Now
