How to Become a Historian in South Africa: Best Degrees & Career Paths
Becoming a historian in South Africa is a rewarding journey for those passionate about uncovering the past and shaping the future through knowledge. With its rich and complex history—from ancient indigenous cultures to colonial legacies and apartheid—South Africa offers a unique landscape for historians to explore.
Why Become a Historian in South Africa?
South Africa’s past is a tapestry of triumph, struggle, and resilience, making it a compelling field for historians. Whether you’re drawn to precolonial archaeology, the anti-apartheid movement, or cultural heritage preservation, a career as a historian lets you contribute to understanding and preserving this legacy. Historians in South Africa are in demand across academia, museums, government, and media, with opportunities to influence education, policy, and public memory. The skills you’ll gain—research, critical analysis, and communication—are also highly transferable, opening doors beyond traditional history roles.
Steps to Become a Historian in South Africa
Here’s a clear, step-by-step roadmap to becoming a historian in South Africa:
1. Build a Strong Foundation in School
- Focus on History, Geography, and English in your National Senior Certificate (NSC). These subjects hone analytical and writing skills essential for historical work.
- Aim for a Bachelor’s pass with a high Admission Point Score (APS) to qualify for top university programs.
2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
- A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History or a related field (e.g., Archaeology, Political Science) is the entry point. This typically takes 3–4 years at a South African university.
- Look for programs offering research projects or electives in South African history.
3. Gain Practical Experience
- Volunteer or intern at museums, archives, or historical societies. Sites like the Iziko Museums or National Archives of South Africa offer hands-on opportunities.
- Build a portfolio with essays, presentations, or small research projects.
4. Pursue Postgraduate Studies
- A Master’s degree in History is essential for most professional historian roles, deepening your expertise in a chosen area (e.g., oral history, colonial studies).
- A PhD in History is required for academic positions, senior research roles, or museum directorships, involving original research and a dissertation.
5. Develop Key Skills
- Master research methods, archival analysis, and academic writing. Familiarity with digital tools (e.g., GIS for historical mapping) is a plus.
- Learn a local language like isiZulu or Afrikaans to access primary sources.
6. Network and Publish
- Join the Historical Association of South Africa (HASA) or attend events like the South African Historical Society Conference.
- Publish articles in journals like Historia or South African Historical Journal to establish credibility.
7. Secure a Career
- Apply for roles in academia, heritage management, or media. Persistence is key—history is competitive, but South Africa’s growing heritage sector offers opportunities.
Best Degrees for Historians in South Africa
Choosing the right university and program is critical. Below are the top institutions offering exceptional history degrees in South Africa for 2025, evaluated for curriculum, faculty expertise, and career outcomes.
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Program: BA in History; MA and PhD in Historical Studies
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Why It’s Top: UCT’s Department of Historical Studies is a leader in African history, offering courses on precolonial societies, slavery, and modern South Africa. Its proximity to archives and museums enhances practical learning.
- Strengths: Research-intensive with access to the African Studies Library. Faculty includes renowned historians like Nigel Worden.
- Career Edge: Graduates work in academia, NGOs, and heritage institutions globally.
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2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Program: BA in History; Honours, MA, and PhD in History
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Why It’s Top: Wits excels in social and political history, with a focus on South Africa’s urban past, labor movements, and apartheid. The History Workshop fosters cutting-edge research.
- Strengths: Located in Joburg, a hub for historical archives like the William Cullen Library.
- Career Edge: Alumni contribute to policy, journalism, and academic research.
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3. University of Pretoria (UP)
- Program: BA in History; Honours, MA, and PhD in Heritage and Cultural Studies
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
- Why It’s Top: UP offers a blend of history and heritage studies, ideal for museum or archival careers. Its focus includes Afrikaner history and oral traditions.
- Strengths: Partnerships with the National Heritage Council and practical training at heritage sites.
- Career Edge: Strong government and cultural sector connections.
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4. Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Program: BA in History; MA and PhD in Historical Studies
- Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
- Why It’s Top: SU emphasizes South African and African history, with strengths in colonial and military history. Its rural setting complements studies of agrarian pasts.
- Strengths: Access to the Stellenbosch University Archives and a multilingual faculty.
- Career Edge: Graduates excel in teaching, research, and heritage tourism.
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5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Program: BA in Historical Studies; MA and PhD in History
- Location: Durban & Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- Why It’s Top: UKZN shines in oral history and resistance movements, reflecting KZN’s role in the anti-apartheid struggle.
- Strengths: Fieldwork opportunities in rural KZN and access to the Killie Campbell Africana Library.
- Career Edge: Prepares students for academia, community history projects, and media.
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6. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Program: BA in History; Honours, MA, and PhD (Distance Learning)
- Location: Nationwide (Online)
- Why It’s Top: UNISA’s flexibility suits working students, offering a broad curriculum from ancient to modern history.
- Strengths: Affordable and accessible, with robust online resources.
- Career Edge: Ideal for self-starters aiming for research or teaching roles.
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Career Paths for Historians in South Africa
A history degree opens diverse opportunities. Here are the top career paths for historians in South Africa, with insights into roles, employers, and prospects:
1. Academic Historian
- Role: Teach at universities, conduct research, and publish findings.
- Employers: UCT, Wits, UP, UKZN, SU.
- Requirements: PhD in History.
- Prospects: Competitive but prestigious, with opportunities to shape historical discourse.
2. Museum Curator
- Role: Manage collections, design exhibits, and educate the public.
- Employers: Iziko Museums, Ditsong Museums, private galleries.
- Requirements: Master’s in History or Heritage Studies; practical experience.
- Prospects: Growing demand as tourism and heritage sectors expand.
3. Archivist
- Role: Preserve and organize historical records.
- Employers: National Archives, provincial archives, universities.
- Requirements: BA or Honours in History; archival training.
- Prospects: Steady need for digitization and preservation experts.
4. Heritage Consultant
- Role: Advise on cultural preservation for development projects.
- Employers: Government, private firms, South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
- Requirements: Master’s in Heritage or History; fieldwork experience.
- Prospects: Booming with infrastructure growth and heritage laws.
5. Historical Writer/Journalist
- Role: Write books, articles, or scripts about South African history.
- Employers: Publishers, media outlets (e.g., Mail & Guardian, SABC).
- Requirements: BA in History; strong writing skills.
- Prospects: Flexible, with potential for freelance or full-time work.
6. Public Historian
- Role: Engage communities through oral history projects or educational programs.
- Employers: NGOs, cultural organizations, government.
- Requirements: Master’s in Public History or related field.
- Prospects: Rising interest in community-driven history.
Job Market and Salary Insights
The job market for historians in South Africa is niche but growing. Academia offers salaries from R300,000–R800,000/year for lecturers to professors, depending on experience and institution. Museum curators and archivists earn R250,000–R500,000/year, while heritage consultants can exceed R600,000/year with private contracts. Entry-level roles (e.g., research assistants) start at R180,000–R250,000/year. Demand is rising in heritage and tourism, fueled by South Africa’s focus on cultural preservation.
Tips for Success
Start Early: Volunteer at historical sites like Robben Island or Constitution Hill during undergrad.
Specialize: Focus on a niche (e.g., San rock art, apartheid resistance) to stand out.
Leverage Technology: Learn digital archiving or historical GIS to boost employability.
Stay Connected: Attend workshops by HASA or collaborate with peers on research.
Conclusion
Becoming a historian in South Africa is a path of intellectual discovery and societal impact. The University of Cape Town, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UKZN, and UNISA offer the best degrees to get you there, each with unique strengths for 2025. Whether you aim to teach, curate, or write, your journey starts with a BA in History, builds through postgraduate study, and thrives with practical experience. Dive into South Africa’s past today—visit these universities’ websites for application details and turn your passion into a profession!
