History and Business Management

History and Business Management will give you a range of skills – you'll explore the early modern and modern historical period, whilst also studying key business and management themes to enhance your understanding of how businesses operate. 

Derbyshire is the ideal location to study history - with its rich industrial past and thriving heritage industry, including a UNESCO World Heritage site, we offer study visits and fieldtrips to bring your learning to life. You will be given the chance to explore the practical and intellectual applications of history in museums, art galleries and stately homes. 

You’ll study the practical application of business through real world learning. We will use our academic expertise to make the links between theoretical business frameworks and the practicalities of the real business world. We have developed extensive links with the business community to ensure our students have the opportunity to explore business in a real-world context. 

Tailor your degree 

With a range of optional modules across key themes such as marketing, logistics, entrepreneurship, accounting and economics, as well as key historical areas such as the enlightenment, material culture and global history, you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your areas of interest and career goals. 

Putting theory into practice 

You’ll benefit from varied teaching approaches, including guest speakers from a range of industry backgrounds, real-world learning opportunities such as live briefs, and projects set by industry, so you’ll graduate with a wealth of experience. 

You can choose to take a placement year between years two and three of your degree, which would super-charge your employability and improve your prospects after graduation. We can help you to find a placement and provide support throughout your year away. If that's not for you, you can choose to complete internships during the summer breaks instead.

Professionally approved

Chartered Management Institute accreditation means the CMI has independently assessed that the course meets its own high standards and priorities. The CMI is a UK professional body dedicated to promoting excellence in management and leadership. CMI accreditation is, therefore, a sign of a high-quality degree.    

Students receive this accreditation if they pass the Business Management modules in their first year and select and pass required modules in their second year.  

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact StudentHub@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn through a range of assessment methods that could include: 

• Formal lectures which will at times include expert speakers 
• Seminars: These can be tutor-led or student-led and can include discussions critical analysis of reading, presentations, group work, debates and general problem solving, interaction with real businesses, case study analysis, computer lab work, practical analysis and formative assessment 
• Tutorials: one-to-one sessions with a tutor to discuss the development of assignments 
• Work experience projects 
• Self-directed study 
• Video discussions with overseas partner institutions 
• Source analyses, where you develop your skills as a historian by analysing and contextualising evidence from primary materials, and pieces for public audiences such as information for museum visitors or blog posts. 

How you are assessed

The History modules at Derby have a wide range of assessments that are varied and reflect the different academic and transferable skills of History graduates. We have designed our assessments to reflect the key skills of the historical discipline as well as skills that will prepare you for life beyond university. Our commitment to students as researchers, public history, global history and co-production has shaped our assessment strategy, and we have designed our assessments so that you are building expertise through the degree. 

The Business Management modules have a range of assessment methods designed to create industry-ready graduates – these could include writing business reports and designing digital material, in-class tests and time-constrained computer-based assessments, portfolios and engagement with real world businesses and situations.

Due to the transferable nature of the skills you’ll learn, such as verbal and written communication, critical analysis, independent thought and problem solving, you'll be suitably positioned for a range of roles upon graduating. In recent years, our own graduates have entered into a variety of careers, including: 

• Teaching 
• Libraries 
• Museums and archives 
• Accountancy 
• Banking 
• Retail and commercial management 
• Human resources 
• Marketing

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.