A*AA, or 41–42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge's listed requirements are for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Undergraduate · Cambridge History
Cambridge History: showing historical enquiry through your existing work
Cambridge's History course is broad, taught through lectures, seminars and regular supervisions, and it asks for History at A level or IB Higher Level, A*AA or the IB equivalent, two pieces of marked written work at almost every College, and in some Colleges an admission assessment. Its application is mostly a question of what existing work you choose to show, and how well you can discuss it. Everything cycle-specific here is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in History
Taken from Cambridge's History course page and its written-work and interviews pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
History is required
To apply to any College you need an A level or IB Higher Level (or the equivalent) in History. If you are not taking History but can show equivalent skills through other subjects or independent exploration, Cambridge says to contact your shortlisted Colleges for advice.
An assessment at some Colleges
There is an admission assessment at some Colleges for this course, and you do not need to register in advance. Check Cambridge's College admission assessments page for details.
Two pieces of written work, one at Sidney Sussex
You will need to submit two pieces of written work at all Colleges except Sidney Sussex, where one piece is needed. Your assessing College will tell you how to send them.
Broad papers, a research project and an optional dissertation
The course is very broad. Year one has outline papers and a sources paper, year two includes your own research project, and year three has a special subject and either two advanced topic papers or one plus a 10,000-word dissertation.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: History, BA (Hons) (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Written work and portfoliosundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's History course page and its written-work and interviews pages, which describes 2027 entry. Individual Colleges' written-work instructions, deadlines and admission assessments, the College-by-College interview formats, the Faculty of History's own pages and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
A broad degree that teaches you how to do history
Cambridge says History explores the past from the ancient world to the present day and that the course is very broad, with room to experiment with historical approaches and with the interaction between history and other disciplines. In the first year you take two outline papers covering long periods and wide geography, a sources paper, an Introduction to Historical Thinking and a Historical Skills paper on research methods such as archives, digital sources and oral history. The second year includes two topic papers, your own research project and a second Historical Thinking paper. The third year has a special subject, a third Historical Thinking paper and either two advanced topic papers or one plus a dissertation of 10,000 words. Teaching is by lectures and seminars with regular supervisions, for which you usually write an essay.
How it differs
Single-subject History, or a joint degree?
Cambridge's History is a single-subject degree. Other degrees that include History are separate programmes with their own entry rules.
Choose History if
your interest is historical enquiry across periods, regions and methods, and you want the research training the course describes.
Look at History and Politics if
you want to combine historical and political study. This series has a guide to that Cambridge degree.
Oxford History is different
Oxford asks for one essay and a different grade offer. Use each university's own page.
Reading the offer
History is required, with a route for the exceptional case
The offer is A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, and History at A level or IB Higher Level is required. For someone who is not taking History, Cambridge says to contact the Colleges you are shortlisting, which is a statement about asking rather than a promise that an alternative will be accepted. Cambridge lists the Colleges that usually set offers at the minimum and those that set extra conditions, and says some Colleges usually make IB offers above the minimum, so check your own choices.
Written work and the assessment
Two marked pieces, and an assessment at some Colleges
Cambridge says to submit two pieces of written work at all Colleges except Sidney Sussex, where one is needed. The College assessing your application will say how and when. Cambridge's general guidance is that work should be marked by your teacher, with comments, and should be something you are happy to discuss at interview. Some Colleges also set an admission assessment, which you do not need to register for in advance, so check the College assessments page for the Colleges you are considering. Because the pieces will be discussed, the best choices are essays in which you made an argument you can still defend.
A note on preparation
What Cambridge says about commercial interview services
Cambridge says some companies offer interview preparation for a fee, that these services are not endorsed by the University and have no exclusive information, and that all official guidance is free on its website. Interviews are academic conversations about the subject. Cambridge says you may be asked about recent topics from school or your personal statement, and key issues in the subject. Avandy's support is independent and limited to helping a student plan reading and essay practice.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit to Cambridge History
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Can you show enquiry, not just knowledge?
For each essay, ask what question it asked and what the evidence did to your answer.
Does the method side attract you?
The course trains you in archives, digital sources and quantitative approaches as well as reading. Think about whether that appeals.
Is your History strong enough to carry the offer?
A*AA with History required. Consider where your marks are likely to land and plan accordingly.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the History requirement, the two pieces of written work and the possible College assessment: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, written-work deadlines, assessment arrangements, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's History course page and its written-work and interviews pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Keep your best marked History essays with your teacher's comments, read beyond the syllabus, and practise explaining the argument of your own essays aloud.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here helps a student plan reading, essay practice and the choice of marked work; it does not write, edit or rewrite any submitted piece, and Avandy has no access to exclusive Cambridge information. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge History entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with History required. This is Cambridge's wording for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Do I have to have History at A level?
Cambridge says you need History at A level or IB Higher Level (or the equivalent). If you are not taking it, it says to contact your shortlisted Colleges for advice.
Is there an admissions assessment?
There is an admission assessment at some Colleges, and you do not need to register in advance. Check Cambridge's College admission assessments page.
How much written work is needed?
Two pieces of written work at all Colleges except Sidney Sussex, where one is needed. They should be marked by your teacher, with their comments, and be something you are happy to discuss.
Is the dissertation compulsory?
No. Cambridge describes a dissertation of 10,000 words in the third year as an option, as an alternative to a second advanced topic paper.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge History
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their History work and the two marked pieces they might submit, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.