Interested in history

[hedwigismyowl]

Hi, not sure where to put this so happy for this to be moved elsewhere.

I love history and would like to study it further. I did British history from 1700-1850 for GCSE at school and loved it. Love how the industrial revolution affects the life we have now and can see things like the railways/ suspension bridges that I studied. Had to give it up for A-levels as I wanted a science-based profession (which I've achieved).

Anyway I'd like to do courses or find out more about other history bits for fun but don't know where to start.

Anyone know what I can do/ go?

Thanks

Your local uni may have a Continuing Education department which does evening courses and day schools, with no history background required. Some will be doable online only so you don't even need to restrict yourself to area.

EG Oxford: www.conted.ox.ac.uk/search#/courses?s=history&sort=relevance

Do you have any specific areas of interest?

Or you could join your local history society which will probably have regular lectures.

You can get subscriptions to magazines like History Today and BBC History Magazine, which are written for a general audience.

And you can do your own original research in local archives.

Futurelearn has some good history courses. You can also look at Openlearn.

Well I loved the history I did at school and I love castles, ancient Egypt.

Open University has loads. You can just do tasters without an exam too.

Not exactly hardcore learning but you might enjoy listening to the 'You're dead to me' podcast - each episode focuses on a different historical figure or era with an historian and a comedian, hosted by one of the horrible history guys

There is a good podcast called The British History Podcast

As you find industrial history interesting, you would enjoy the Ironbridge museums complex, if you’ve not already discovered it.

Also this course is brilliant: archive.org/details/ucberkeley_webcast_itunesu_461116707

@Pumpkin314

Not exactly hardcore learning but you might enjoy listening to the 'You're dead to me' podcast - each episode focuses on a different historical figure or era with an historian and a comedian, hosted by one of the horrible history guys

I was going to mention that too, I’m learning a lot of interesting stuff from You're Dead to Me.

there’s a great podcast called the fall of civilisations that you might enjoy, check it out

You could look for local history groups in your area. (ask in the library or on local facebook groups)

You could join the University of the 3rd Age (although most folk are older, there is no actual age limit).

National Trust always welcome volunteers - including tour guides - as do many historic attractions.....Cathedrals etc. Not sure about English Heritage (or equivalent, depending on where you live).

www.wea.org.uk/find-course Formerly the Workers' Education Association. Adult education courses both face to face and via Zoom. Purely for pleasure and intellectual stimulation, not leading to any certificate or qualification.

Oops, posted to soon. Also look out for day schools or weekend schools run by your local university.

Thanks, I've done ironbridge. Husband loves transport so anything old, science-y or transport related will have at least one of us interested. I like watching historical dramas too.

Think I want to discover a new area of history I don't know much about.

Sorry meant to say, plenty of ideas in the replies- thanks!