BA History at University of California, Davis

Programme overview

The History major develops critical intelligence and fosters an understanding of ourselves and our world through the study of the past—both the "deep past" and the more recent past. A student electing a major in History will receive a broad education in histories of several geographic areas. Students preferring more active engagement in research and writing are encouraged to complete history seminars and/or the honors program.

Faculty: College of Letters & Science | Department: History | Duration: 60 units (quarter system) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Davis, CA, United States

What you will study

The major requires a minimum of 60 units. Requirements are organised into preparatory subject matter, depth subject matter components. Required courses include HIS 008 History of Indian Civilization; HIS 009B History of East Asian Civilization; HIS 004A History of Western Civilization; HIS 017A History of the United States; HIS 080 The History of the United States in the Middle East.

Career pathways

A degree in history is excellent preparation for a professional career such as teaching, law, journalism, public administration, or business management. Professional schools in these and related fields (including the health professions) are looking for students who can weigh conflicting evidence, evaluate alternative courses of action or divergent points of view, and express conclusions logically in everyday language.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to UC Davis and the College of Letters & Science; the catalogue entry gives no major-specific admission requirement beyond the major requirements below.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Systemwide UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents, cohort first enrolled in 2026-27 (annual, quarter system); rate is the same for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus-based fees, and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Source

First-year and transfer students enter in the fall term (quarter system); the UC application opens Aug. 1 and the filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year.

The UC application filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year, and a single application covers all UC campuses.

The UC application filing fee is $80 per campus for domestic applicants and $95 per campus for international applicants, payable by credit card or mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses.

Transfer applicants submit the UC application by Nov. 30; Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) applications are due Sept. 1-30; the priority deadline for the Transfer Academic Update is Jan. 31.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions

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