University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The programme centres on the political, religious, intellectual and cultural transformations of Europe from the late antiquity and medieval periods through the Renaissance and early modern era. You will take a mix of chronological and thematic courses that typically include:

• Medieval Europe: topics such as kingship and state formation, monasticism, crusading, law and society.
• Early Modern Europe: courses on the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the rise of early modern states, diplomacy, print culture and scientific change.
• Cultural and social history: studies of everyday life, gender, family, material culture, urban and rural communities, and the history of emotions and mentalities.
• Methods and theory: training in historiography, research methods, source criticism, palaeography and archival practice tailored to premodern sources.
• Language study: opportunities to learn or advance reading competence in Latin and modern European languages (for example French, German, Italian or Spanish) for working directly with primary texts.
• Capstone and research: a senior seminar or honours project/senior thesis that requires sustained original research, often using primary sources from the university’s libraries and special collections or from archival partners.

The degree is delivered through the Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences and allows interdisciplinary electives with Classics, Religious Studies, Art & Art History, and International Affairs. Students are encouraged to take advantage of study-abroad programmes or fieldwork opportunities in Europe to work with archives and material collections.

Entry requirements

Admission to the bachelor’s programme is through the University of Colorado Boulder undergraduate admissions process. Typical expectations include a completed secondary school qualification or equivalent, evidence of strong academic performance with particular strength in humanities or social-science subjects, and a demonstrated ability to read and write at university level.

International applicants will need to meet the university’s English-language proficiency requirements. Preparation in history and in relevant languages is an advantage but not always required; placements and language courses are available for students who wish to build language skills after entry. Transfer students must provide college transcripts and will have courses evaluated for credit toward the history major.

Career prospects

Graduates with a specialism in medieval and early modern European cultural history move into a range of careers where strong analytical, research and written-communication skills are valued. Common pathways include:

• Academic and professional research, including progression to master’s and doctoral study in history or related fields.
• Museums, archives and heritage sector roles such as museum education, collection management, curatorial assistantships and archival work.
• Public history and interpretation, including work for historic sites, cultural organisations and local government.
• Teaching at secondary level (often combined with a teacher-preparation programme), and education roles within cultural institutions.
• Publishing, journalism, library services, and roles in cultural policy or non-profit organisations.
• Transferable careers in law, business, government and international organisations where research, critical thinking and communication are important.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder offers an undergraduate environment with active faculty whose research covers a range of topics in medieval and early modern European history. The department emphasises close faculty–student mentoring, opportunities for undergraduate research and a curriculum that integrates primary-source work with cultural and intellectual history.

Students benefit from the university’s library system and special collections for manuscript and rare-book work, interdisciplinary collaboration across humanities departments, and access to study-abroad programmes that place students in European archives and museums. Being located near a vibrant cultural region also provides internships and public-history partnerships with museums, historical societies and archives in the Denver–Boulder area. The programme’s combination of rigorous historical training and practical research experience prepares students both for further academic study and for diverse professional careers.