About church history

“History is the teacher of life” – Pope John XXIII, quoting Cicero, at the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962.

A better understanding of the past ensures a better understanding of the present – and of future possibilities. Church history explores the origins of the Christian tradition and its development in different historical contexts ranging from the ancient Roman empire to the recent past.

Where can church history take you?

Studying church history will enable you to develop discipline-specific and valuable transferable skills that will be of great use to you and highly valued by employers, including research skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to present arguments clearly and persuasively. You’ll also gain a firm understanding of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, which is important for employees of Catholic organisations.