Is the Higher Diploma in History useful for archive careers?

Yes. The archive-research module is directly relevant to archive practice, and many Higher Diploma in History students already work in archives or move into archive roles after completing the qualification.

Can I focus on a specific period or region?

Yes — in the dissertation. The Higher Diploma in History taught modules cover historiography and method across periods, but the 10,000–12,000-word dissertation is on a question of your choice with named tutor supervision.

Does the Higher Diploma in History include archive visits?

On-campus students visit the National Archives in Kew and the British Library as part of the archive-research module. Online and distance students complete equivalent work in regional or national archives near them, with their tutor's support.

Does the Higher Diploma in History lead to a Master's?

It leads into the final year of a Bachelor's degree first; a Master's follows on standard entry requirements. Some Higher Diploma in History graduates with very strong dissertations are considered for direct Master's entry case-by-case.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

Higher Diploma in History | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in History at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a fifteen-to-eighteen-month UK qualification at near-degree level for working archivists, history teachers, museum staff and serious independent historians. The course is built in dialogue with the Royal Historical Society and the Historical Association, and is taught around advanced historical method, archive practice and a substantial dissertation.

You will work through advanced historiography, undertake structured archive-research training using the National Archives and British Library, and produce a near-degree-level dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words on a historical question of your own.

Key Features

Near-degree-level depth in historical method and historiography.
Advanced historiography — Annales, Marxist history, gender history, postcolonial history, the global turn.
Archive-research module — structured work with the National Archives, British Library and digitised international collections.
Primary-source method — advanced source evaluation, provenance, comparative reading.
Dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words on a historical question of your own, supervised by a named tutor.
Direct top-up into the final year of a UK BA in History at LSJHML or a partner university.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma in History is structured around the working practice of an advanced historian — historiographical awareness, archive discipline, primary-source method, sustained dissertation argument. You finish able to plan and research a substantial historical project, work in major UK archives to professional standard, and write a 10,000–12,000-word dissertation grounded in primary evidence.

Advanced historiography — Annales, Marxist, gender, postcolonial, global history schools.
Primary-source method — provenance, evaluation, comparative reading.
Archive practice — National Archives, British Library, local-authority and specialist archives.
Digital history — digitised collections, basic database work, OCR and search strategy.
Research design — research question formation, archive selection, methodological justification.
Dissertation craft — chapter design, argument arc, evidence integration.
Academic writing — dissertation chapter, journal-article structure, monograph proposal.
Public history at advanced level — heritage interpretation, broadcast history, museum scholarship.

Who This Higher Diploma Is For

Advanced Diploma graduates in history or related disciplines ready for near-degree-level study.
Working archivists and records managers wanting structured historical-method training.
History teachers in secondary, sixth-form or further education seeking a substantive subject credential.
Museum and heritage staff in research-track roles wanting a formal dissertation-level qualification.

Career Pathways

The Higher Diploma in History supports progression into senior archive, heritage and education roles, and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up year. Typical roles include:

Historian (independent researcher, heritage consultant)
Archivist (national, local-authority, specialist archive)
Museum Curator (history collection, regional museum)
History Teacher (secondary, sixth form, further education)
Heritage Researcher (Tate, V&A, English Heritage, National Trust)
Editorial Researcher (academic publishing, broadcast documentary)

The Higher Diploma articulates into the final year of a UK BA in History at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

An Advanced Diploma (Level 5) or equivalent in history or a related subject, OR a Diploma plus two years of relevant work experience.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement, CV and a short essay sample.
Mature applicants (25+) without standard qualifications may apply with significant senior-track work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.