“The History Honours program, simply put, turns students of history into scholars of history. But this precious sea-change may come at a price: the two years in the program could be the most challenging of your life. This great challenge, however, is most certainly worth the many great rewards: working intimately with the most dedicated professors and most motivated students, stimulating discussion in and out of the classroom, and completing the thesis project, to name just a few. The experience of a History Honours student is the experience usually reserved for a graduate student, and as such, the program is nothing less than invaluable to anyone considering that route. Paradoxically, each graduate will come out of the program both proud and humbled: appropriately proud of a significant achievement, yet powerfully humbled by the depth and breadth of the discipline. In my own case, it was a tremendous and rewarding experience that set me on a path to continued success at the graduate level.”  Adrian Myers (Honours Student, 2004-2006)

“Choosing to go into History Honours means choosing to share your last two years of university with a group of peers who are motivated and enthusiastic, and with professors who allow you the freedom to explore your interests and the resources to do so. The content of the seminars is varied enough to provide the students with different but often complementary areas of study, and I appreciated the 'untraditional' focus of the program on the interrelations of culture, society and historical circumstance. The community of the program is its strongest aspect.  You get to know your peers' intellectual interests in class, while social events let you get to know them as friends." Annie Moore (Honours Student, 2001-2003)

"My experience in UBC's Honours History Program has vastly improved my ability to read, write, debate, and think critically. I am confident that these valuable skills will stay with me for a very long time. In addition, the Program has allowed me to work closely with professional historians, explore my own academic interests, spend more time on less material, and obtain a sense of what it means to be an historian. Perhaps most importantly, it has also provided me with an enhanced understanding of how the world works. Also, the social experience I have enjoyed outside of class among all of the wonderful members of the Honours community, professors and fellow students alike, will be fondly remembered." Brian Schick (April 2005)

"The History Honours program is indeed a great opportunity for a student to explore personal interests as well as the highest levels of intellectual historical thought available to an undergraduate. That, however, in my opinion is not its greatest strength or benefit. Instead, the Honours program provides the enterprising student that embarks down its path an opportunity to explore not only history but themselves. As an Honours student I was challenged not only academically but also personally. I had to examine myself and explore my own ideas and motivations. Coming out of this program I am a person who now more fully understands myself, my society, and my environment. Added to that is all the knowledge and skills that this program gives to students that prepares you not just for a career in history but for life in general. I strongly recommend this program for anyone who is willing to take the time and effort to set out and complete such an exploration." (Richard Pulis, May 2003)

"Yes, I am in honours. It's true. And to this day, it remains a mystery to me that I have not gone completely insane. By any measure, I should have. Each class is a full 120 minutes, which by the way is two hours for you math-avoiding arts students. The readings are substantial. The discussions are intense. The workload is tremendous. This program is not for everyone - for six months, I didn't think it was for me. But here I am. "By golly, how did she do it?" you ask? The answer, quite simply, is that it is worth the effort. The things that I am learning this year are not just facts or ideas. I am learning skills: how to think, how to prioritize and how to cope. You think you are learning now? Boy, just wait! The size of the program is helpful in keeping your sanity. You might not get to know everyone in the program, but the ones you do know, you bond with. And this includes the profs. Its kinda weird at first, but then you realize that you are not just a number to the profs and that they want you to succeed as much as you do." Angela Lee (March 2002)

"When I started in the honours program, I was initially tentative about the small classes as I am a quiet person and was used to learning by being lectured to. However I discovered that I learn well in small classes and enjoy the ability to raise questions. Here classroom discussions give me the opportunity to discuss readings and to share ideas in a higher level of discussion with people who are equally interested in learning. The small classes are interactive and friendly. The professors step out of their lecturing role and become caring facilitators in a community of learning. I have enjoyed my third year as an honours student and am looking forward to my fourth year." Barbara Gribling (March 2002)