Hi, I'm currently a PhD student in theoretical physics, but unsure if whether I want to stick at it, for a few reasons, one of which is that I have come to find history (generally, but with a particular interest in history of physics) far more interesting and important, and I'm wondering how plausible an application I could make to history of science Master's programmes. I got good grades in my Bachelor's and Master's in physics at a top university, and did do a History of Physics "short course", which I did well in, but as a paper specifically for physicists I'm not sure how impressive that is. Otherwise I haven't studied history in an official sense since I was 18.
How common and how viable is it for people to move from physics to history of science? What would applications committees be looking for in someone like me if I did try to follow this path? Thanks.
It's quite common for people to have double training in a science and history of science. I can recommend applying for the master's in history and philosophy of science at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, if you're considering Europe: https://www.uu.nl/en/descartes-centre They have a strong research focused two year master's and many graduates continue on to do research on on the PhD level in histsci or philsci. Full disclosure: I used to be affiliated with the program at UU.
The shift in interest isn't that odd, so I bet if you prepared well you would make a competitive candidate. Good luck!