About us
Who we are...
The Department of International History is one of the world’s leading centres for historical study and research. History at the LSE is consistently ranked amongst the top ten in the QS World University subject league tables, and in the top three in the UK and Europe.
Research Excellence Framework (REF): 78% of the Department’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Founded in 1954, the department’s acknowledged and long-established research and teaching strengths are reflected in the breadth and range of its coverage from the early modern to the contemporary era. Our historians explore developments in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas making us an ideal place to study world history. We have experts on political, social, cultural, religious, intellectual, military, and transnational history. The department’s students enjoy access to staff who carry out pioneering research, putting them at the forefront of their fields, where they publish books and articles with some of the leading academic presses. Our students also benefit from the fact that the department is located at the centre of one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. London is home to a wonderfully rich range of archives and libraries for any historian, and forms an exciting cultural and historical environment in which to work and study.
The department encourages debate and discussion of past events and historical controversies. Within an international framework its members explore such major subjects as the causes and conduct of wars; the crafting of peace settlements; the development of societies over time and their transnational connections; the emergence of empires and their governance; the rise of nationalism; the interactions between the state and religious beliefs; colonialism and decolonization; civil wars and insurgencies; the world wars of the twentieth century; and the development and ramifications of the Cold War. With a permanent academic staff of 27, around 190 postgraduate students, and 300 undergraduates, we are a large, diverse and welcoming Department, whose members are drawn from all over the world. We are committed to academic excellence and providing an absorbing learning environment for all our students, who we aim to give the fullest possible opportunity to fulfil their full potential.
We offer a range of different undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as the MPhil/PhD in International History. The Department prides itself on the range and diversity of the courses it is able to provide for its students, which cover all parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, as well as Europe and Britain, and the period from around 1500 to the present day. Our courses explore such large and critical themes as the causes of conflict, the conduct and repercussions of wars, the conditions for peace, the rise of nations and nationalism, cultural and religious interaction, imperialism, colonialism and decolonization, the emergence of transnational forces and non-state actors, and the history of international relations.
Throughout the year the Department plays host to a whole series of seminars, workshops and outside speaker events, where some of the world’s leading historians share their findings and reflections. This vibrant research culture benefits our PhD research students, who have access to some of the UK’s most impressive research and archival resources. These strengths also contribute to the dissertation work undertaken by our undergraduate and MSc students, who receive individual supervision of their chosen topics. We are committed to excellence in teaching and are proud of our Department’s high teaching scores in the National Student Survey. We have a lively student-run History Society, and the Department aims to offer a friendly and inclusive environment in which our students can pursue their full range of historical interests, participate in stimulating debate, and take full advantage of all the opportunities for personal development that an LSE education provides.
Are you suited to the study of International History at LSE. Why should you study History?
We received the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) on 12 May 2022. Our assessment showed that 68% of outputs (i.e. publications) were world-leading (4*) in terms of originality, significance, and rigour at LSE History (International History and Economic History). The upper quartile average of outputs in the UK sector was 43%. Likewise, 75% of research environment activities were evaluated as world-leading (4*) in terms of vitality and sustainability, with an upper quartile average of 63% across the UK sector. These results were made on the basis of the combination of quality of publications and number of staff submitted, and a measure of research power. Find more information on LSE's impressive performance on the School’s .
The Department of International History is an ideal location for those wishing to explore world history. The courses offered, at both undergraduate and graduate levels cover a wide range of cultures and periods, and allow students to build upon and move beyond the nationally based histories normally taught at school and in many other universities.
The opportunities to study single countries in greater depth are thus flanked by the option of examining wider regions (the Middle East for example) or movements and trends which affect numerous countries (nationalism, the Cold War, European integration). Particular areas of expertise include Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, India, Japan and the United States.
The Department's teaching builds upon a long-standing tradition and it retains the reputation as one of the leading world centres for the study of international history. The current staff have all built up a considerable expertise in one or more regions of the world, are actively involved in international research, and bring their knowledge and experience to bear in their teaching and their supervision.
National Student Survey
The Department of International History achieved excellent results in the 2025/26 National Student Survey (NSS), Undergraduate and Postgraduate Surveys. The overall satisfaction rating for undergraduate History degrees was 92%, and 79% for postgraduate students. Students recorded high levels of satisfaction with the courses and teaching on offer, making it one of the best performing history departments in the UK. The Department is confident that it can provide an excellent learning environment and a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for all of our students.
National and world rankings
The Department of International History has consistently performed well in the QS World University Rankings. In the QS World University History Subject Table for 2026, History at LSE was ranked 10th overall in the world. In the UK and in Europe, History at LSE continues to rank third, behind Oxford and Cambridge, but ahead of King's College London, UCL and Edinburgh.
Published annually since 2011, the QS World University Rankings by Subject are based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. The rankings use data from 1,453 institutions and nearly 14 million unique papers.
In the UK's independent Complete University Guide for 2026, LSE History was ranked number one in the country. The rankings of the Complete University Guide are based on student satisfaction, entry requirements, research excellence and employment prospects after graduation. Over the years, History at LSE has twice topped the Complete university Guide Tables and never finished lower than eighth.
LSE has been ranked the 4th best university overall in the Guardian's Best UK Universities 2022 league table for the study of history - an improvement of one place on the 2025 rankings. Also according to the Guardian's 2022 league table by subject, LSE History is the second best in the UK for percentage of graduates who find graduate-level jobs, or are in further study at professional or HE level, within fifteen months after graduation.
Employability and earnings
LSE History students continue to have one of the ten best rates of employability after graduation in the UK. For graduate prospects, the LSE ranked 3rd in the UK in the Complete University Guide for 2026, and 4th in the UK in the Guardian's Best UK Universities 2026 league table.
Collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes Survey, data is collated at the five-year aggregate level and currently includes data from respondents in cohorts that graduated between 2018/19 and 2023/24. This Survey captures details such as what jobs LSE graduates go into and how much they earn, 15 months after graduating.
The data shows that for LSE International History graduates, the median salary is £30,000 (based on 135 respondents). Job roles include Policy Advisor, Consultant, Research Assistant, Financial Analyst, and Account Executive.
The Value of the humanities degree report from Univeristy of Oxford highlights that humanities degrees foster the skills most needed in a changing world: adaptability, critical analysis, and the ability to communicate and create meaning.
LSE Careers has information about what jobs LSE graduates go into approximately 15 months after they graduate, which can be a useful starting point when thinking about your own career journey. You can filter Graduate Outcomes data by ‘Programme Name’ to find data specific to your degree course including salary, job roles, and working location.
Part-time graduate teaching assistant
It is the policy of the School to provide opportunities for part-time teaching to current research students wherever possible. The Department invites all of its PhD students to apply for undergraduate class teaching. Teaching does not formally constitute part of the Department's PhD training as the Department cannot guarantee the availability of teaching opportunities for all students. However, the Department does encourage PhD students to gain teaching experience, especially if they are interested in pursuing an academic career.