Bachelor in History

  • About the programme
  • Programme structure
  • Entry requirements
  • Tuition fees & scholarships
  • Career prospects

• Programme duration : 3 years
• Delivery language : French
• Degree awarded : Bachelor in History
• Accreditation : The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
•    Deadline to apply : 22 August 2025

The Bachelor in History delivers broad historical knowledge from ancient civilisations to present history. Students enrolled in this programme acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary history of France and all other regions of the world. They are also prepared for a successful career by strengthening qualities such as critical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork and sound reasoning on both verbal and written level.

The objective of this Bachelor degree is to deliver global knowledge and expertise in different areas such as political, economic, social, cultural and diplomatic history. Moreover, they will strengthen their learning by completing a professional project and by learning a new language.

The programme is organised around a core curriculum with a choice of two concentrations. Students wishing to broaden their knowledge in human sciences can choose the Civilisations and Communication concentration while students who prefer to deepen their historical knowledge with a focus on International Relations, Geopolitics, Political Sciences, International Law and History of Diplomacy can choose the International Relations concentration.

The Civilisations and Communication concentration teaches a wide knowledge about human sciences and the communication tools to analyse today’s challenges. Students have to choose two minors from other departments including Communication, History of Art and Political Sciences. The International Relations concentration provides students with a thorough understanding of today’s world through courses in Geopolitics, International Law, Political Science and the History of Diplomacy. Exchange programmes with other Middle-Eastern Universities are planned for the International Relations path. The curriculum emphasises on the importance of learning new languages designed to broaden our student’s competencies for international careers.

Major courses teach students how to understand and analyse major global events across the world and throughout the most important historical periods. It ensures students attain a solid understanding of political history, international relations, social history and the history of civilisations to be able to interpret today’s challenges based on lessons from the past. Students will broaden their knowledge and understanding of global cultures and the most important periods in history around the world including the birth of Islam, the French Revolution, decolonisation and cultural influences between the 1960’s and 1990’s.

The programme faculty are all internationally renowned professors whose teaching methodology goes beyond the traditional forms of teaching to ensure a balanced and well-rounded learning experience.

This Bachelor’s degree plays a significant role in the development of reasoning which opens the doors to numerous career opportunities. Far from being restricted to professions and training directly linked to history, this degree provides a unique opportunity for working in a variety of sectors including journalism, communication and media, political sciences, diplomacy and NGOs and public service and administration. Graduates can also work in education, publishing, heritage institutions, international tourism and trade. This degree provides graduates with several options to pursue further academic studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and other overseas institution.

First Year

Core Courses

  • Political history and international affairs from Antiquity to the 21st century
  • Introduction to diplomatic relations between the East and the West
  • The revolutions age: birth of the USA, French Revolution and Springtime of the Nations
  • Introduction to cultural history from Western and Eastern Worlds
  • Introduction to history of political structures, ancient civilisations and present society
  • Communication and media
  • Languages and sport

Civilisations and Communication Path

  • Rhetorical and communication techniques
  • Introduction to political science
  • Course to be chosen in one of the human sciences departments

International Relations Path

  • Geopolitical challenges in today’s world
  • Political sciences: understanding of the international system
  • Introduction to international law

Second Year

Core Courses

  • History of the Arab world
  • History of international relations
  • Colonisation and decolonisation
  • Cultures, knowledge and societies from antiquity to the 21st century
  • Institutions and politics
  • History of globalisation
  • Communication and media
  • Languages and sport

Civilisations and Communication Path

  • Cinematic language
  • Journalistic workshop
  • Course to be chosen in one of the human sciences departments

International Relations Path

  • The origins of contemporary Middle East Arab, Turkish and Iranian worlds
  • History of international relations (Central Asia and the Middle East)
  • Geopolitics
  • Law

Third Year

Core Courses

  • The contemporary Middle East
  • International affairs from 1945
  • Analysis of superpowers
  • Cultural history of youth and women
  • Prestigious ancient civilisations: Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Parthian Empire, the Greek-Roman world, Byzantium
  • Religions and states throughout the centuries: historical, philosophical, anthropological and geopolitical analysis
  • Languages and sport

Civilisations and Communication Path

  • Information and communication from Queen Victoria to Bill Gates: geopolitical tensions and globalisation (1850-2015)
  • Course to be chosen in one of the human sciences departments

International Relations Path

  • International relations in the Gulf region
  • One semester abroad: Saint-Joseph University (Beirut), Sorbonne University (Paris), Galatasaray University (Istanbul)
To be eligible for this Bachelor’s degree, students must have the following:

  • French baccalaureate: minimum average of 12 out of 20.
  • Ministry of Education curriculum:
    General stream/Art stream: minimum average of 80%.
    Advanced stream/Elite stream/Science stream: minimum average of 75%.
  • Other high school systems: high school certificate equivalent to the UAE Ministry of Education high school with minimum average of 80% or equivalent .
  • French Aptitude Certificate: minimum score of B2 level (DELF or DALF, SELFEE, TCF with a validity of 2 years, TEF with a validity of 2 years) or completion of SUAD university diploma DU in French language for non-French speakers. Students with a French Baccalaureate are exempted from the language proficiency exam.

students not meeting the required French Aptitude Certificate will be admitted conditionally in the programme, and enrolled in the foundation year in intensive French providing they meet the above criteria:

Upon its successful completion, they will be admitted into the bachelor degree programme.

Other Countries Education’s Systems

Conditions apply on other foreign curriculums according to the admission’s policy set by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Please contact the Student Recruitment office by email: admissions@sorbonne.ae for more details.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to considering applications from all students regardless of their country of origin, income, gender, religion or physical condition.

• Programme tuition fees (per semester)*:
 		AED 34,500 (approximately US$ 9,400)
• Payment of fees: click here

*The fees presented for each program do not include administrative fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships*

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for Emirati students

Admitted Emirati nationals and children of Emirati mothers’ are awarded a full scholarship covering tuition and study related fees for their Bachelor Programmes (and Foundation year, if any)

Current high school students may apply through NAPO, whereas the graduates of previous years can apply on the Apply Now page.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (for the 1st semester of enrolment)

• 15% scholarship on tuition for the 1st semester of joining

New joiners with excellent academic results in high school are eligible following the below criteria. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

  • Government schools: 90% in the advanced stream, or 95% in the general stream.
  • American system: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 or minimum average of 90%.
  • British system: “A” grade or higher in three “AS-Level” subjects or “A” in the equivalent “A-Level” Subjects, plus “B” grade or higher in six O level subjects.
  • SABIS: minimum average of 85%.
  • International Baccalaureate: IB diploma with minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all courses – three of those subjects must be higher-level courses.
  • French Baccalaureate: minimum average of 14 out of 20.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (starting from the 2nd semester of enrolment)

• 25%-75% Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on the academic results obtained during the previous semester at SUAD, students are eligible to the academic excellence scholarship granted semester by semester. The scholarship scheme is progressive (25% to 75% and the minimum average grade to be eligible is 12/20. A specific scholarship is available for the 2nd semester of the Foundation Year. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Other Scholarships

10% French Curriculum Schools Scholarship for the 1st semester of enrolment

Students holding a French baccalaureate obtained in one of the GCC countries are eligible for a 10% discount for their first semester. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

Sponsored scholarships

Total, Chalhoub and Ardian Foundation, offer specific scholarships based on academic excellence and/or financial circumstances to selected students.

The deadline for submitting an application is communicated by University email each semester to all enrolled students. Applications are submitted via the online application form. Incomplete and late applications will not be assessed.

Scholarships can’t be combined. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Preferential rate: 10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programme are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

For more information, please contact:

The Career Centre
Tel: +971 (0) 2 656 9104/9342
Email: careercentre@sorbonne.ae

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