Referencing styles form the basis of academic life in the UK. At all levels of education, from A levels to postgraduate studies, students are required to reference the sources they have used in a precise and consistent manner. Although Harvard and APA are the two most commonly used referencing styles in UK universities, a good number of students are startled to come across a different system, i.e. Chicago Style.
Even though Chicago Style is not that popular, it is still highly esteemed especially in those disciplines which emphasize the detailed discussion of sources, historical context, and primary materials. If you are a UK student whose focus is on humanities or arts related subjects and you are thinking of doing postgraduate research, then by knowing where and why Chicago Style is used, you can be ahead of other students academically.
This guide tells which subjects in the UK use Chicago Style most, the reasons for its being preferred in those areas, and the requirements that UK students have to meet in order to be able to use it with confidence.
What Is Chicago Style Referencing?
Chicago Style comes from the Chicago Manual of Style, a comprehensive guide covering referencing, grammar, punctuation, and academic formatting. Unlike simpler systems, Chicago Style is valued for its flexibility and depth.
There are two main Chicago systems:
- Notes and Bibliography (NB)
- Uses footnotes or endnotes
- Includes a bibliography
- Most common in humanities subjects
- Author–Date
- Uses in-text citations similar to Harvard
- Includes a reference list
- More common in sciences and social sciences (less popular in the UK)
In UK universities, when Chicago Style is required, it is almost always the Notes and Bibliography system.
Why Some UK Subjects Prefer Chicago Style
Chicago Style is not chosen at random. It aligns particularly well with disciplines that:
- Rely heavily on primary sources
- Require extended commentary on sources
- Engage with historical texts, archives, or artworks
- Value detailed citations and contextual notes
Footnotes allow students to expand on ideas, reference obscure materials, and show depth of reading without interrupting the main argument—something many humanities disciplines value highly.
Subjects in the UK That Commonly Use Chicago Style
1. History
History is the most common subject in the UK to require Chicago Style.
From undergraduate essays to PhD theses, many UK history departments explicitly recommend or require Chicago Notes and Bibliography.
Why history uses Chicago:
- Heavy use of primary sources (letters, diaries, archives)
- Need for detailed source commentary
- Importance of historiographical discussion
- Footnotes allow clarification without breaking narrative flow
Typical assignments:
- Historical essays
- Source analyses
- Dissertations
- Archival research projects
If you’re studying history at a UK university, learning Chicago Style early is essential.
2. Art History
Art History students in the UK frequently use Chicago Style, especially at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Why it’s preferred:
- Extensive referencing of artworks, exhibitions, and catalogues
- Use of museum collections and archival material
- Need to comment on visual sources in footnotes
- Complex publication details that suit Chicago formatting
Footnotes allow students to cite images, translations, and exhibition histories in detail—something other referencing styles struggle to handle neatly.
3. Theology and Religious Studies
Many UK theology and religious studies departments favour Chicago Style, particularly for textual and historical analysis.
Common reasons:
- Frequent citation of ancient and religious texts
- Use of multiple translations
- Engagement with commentaries and manuscripts
- Need for explanatory notes on interpretations
Chicago’s footnote system allows students to show scholarly depth without cluttering the main argument.
4. Philosophy (in Some UK Universities)
Philosophy in the UK is more varied in referencing practices. While Harvard and in-text citations are common, Chicago Style is often accepted or preferred in:
- History of philosophy modules
- Continental philosophy
- Ethics and political philosophy
- Postgraduate research
Why Chicago works for philosophy:
- Enables commentary on sources
- Handles classical texts and multiple editions well
- Allows nuanced referencing of arguments and counterarguments
Students should always check departmental guidance, as philosophy referencing expectations can vary significantly.
5. Literature and English Studies (Select Areas)
Most English literature courses in the UK use MLA or Harvard, but Chicago Style appears in specific contexts.
Where Chicago is used:
- Literary history
- Book history and print culture
- Manuscript studies
- Comparative literature
- Postgraduate research
Chicago is especially useful when working with early editions, letters, marginalia, and historical publishing records.
6. Music and Musicology
Music-related degrees in the UK—particularly musicology and ethnomusicology—often use Chicago Style.
Reasons include:
- Referencing musical scores
- Citing recordings and performances
- Using archival concert programmes
- Engaging with historical commentary
Chicago’s flexibility allows detailed citation of non-traditional sources like recordings, liner notes, and unpublished materials.
7. Film Studies and Media (Advanced Levels)
At undergraduate level, UK film and media studies often use Harvard. However, Chicago Style becomes more common at postgraduate level, especially in:
- Film history
- Archival cinema studies
- Cultural and critical theory
- Media history research
Footnotes allow students to reference interviews, unpublished scripts, festival archives, and rare screenings.
8. Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary Humanities
Interdisciplinary humanities courses sometimes adopt Chicago Style because it works across disciplines.
Common areas:
- Cultural history
- Gender studies
- Postcolonial studies
- Area studies (e.g. European, Asian, or Middle Eastern studies)
Chicago’s adaptability makes it suitable when students are drawing from history, literature, sociology, and philosophy in one piece of work.
Is Chicago Style Used Outside the Humanities in the UK?
Generally, no—or very rarely.
In the UK:
- Sciences prefer APA or numeric styles
- Psychology and education almost always use APA
- Business and management typically use Harvard
- Engineering and computing use numeric systems like IEEE
Chicago Author–Date exists but is uncommon in UK STEM subjects.
Undergraduate vs Postgraduate Use of Chicago Style
Undergraduate Level
- Usually introduced in second or third year
- Often used in optional modules
- May be recommended rather than mandatory
Postgraduate Level
- Much more common
- Often required for dissertations
- Preferred for original research and archival work
If you plan to continue to master’s or PhD level in a humanities subject, familiarity with Chicago Style is a strong asset.
Why UK Students Find Chicago Style Challenging
Many UK students struggle with Chicago Style at first because:
- Footnotes feel unfamiliar
- Formatting rules are detailed
- Different source types have different citation rules
- Bibliographies require careful consistency
However, once mastered, students often find Chicago more logical and expressive than in-text systems.
Tips for UK Students Using Chicago Style
- Check your department handbook
Requirements can vary even within the same university. - Use footnotes consistently
Don’t mix referencing styles in one assignment. - Learn shortened citations
Chicago allows shortened notes after the first full citation. - Keep a running bibliography
This saves time and avoids missing sources later. - Ask lecturers when unsure
Humanities departments are usually happy to clarify referencing expectations.
Final Thoughts
While Chicago Style may not be the leading Assignment Help in UK universities, it is very important in the above, mentioned subjects. British students in these areas learn Chicago Style not only as a way of referencing but as a way of properly engaging with the scholarly tradition.
What is the likelihood that a course handbook talking about footnotes, archival sources, or historical analysis would require or recommend Chicago Style? Knowing it can be a reference accuracy and a writing quality have been made clear by the authors of such a handbook.
For UK students who want to pursue the humanities seriously, Chicago Style is not an option. It is a skill that is worth investing in.
