Within a discussion about the purpose and nature of history teaching in higher education, general issues related to educational objectives, group work, assessment procedures, computer literacy and the relationship of universities with the wider community are raised. The argument is that the subject discipline of history is an appropriate vehicle for developing a broad range of transferable personal skills. Through alternative curriculum approaches, it is possible to integrate teaching and research and to create working relationships with relevant community-based organisations. To support this case, an initiative at the University of Lancaster is described which won the 1990 UK Partnership Award for Innovation in the Teaching of History, sponsored by Cadbury Schweppes.