History and Politics

Studying History and Politics allows us to understand the places, people and decisions that shape major political moments. At Lancaster we provide hands-on training in historical research and provide you with the skills and understanding you need to influence contemporary politics. Our programme equips you with a thorough knowledge of the political conditions of the past – as well as insight into the factors that will shape the future.

The programme prepares you for a wide range of careers, from government and policy, business and consultancy, to journalism, media, and the heritage industry.

Why Lancaster?

• Benefit from teaching by expert academics who regularly collaborate with government bodies such as UK parliament, on important issues such as defence and strategy, racial injustice, voter rights, and migration

• Network with external partners, policymakers, and guest speakers who can provide valuable insights into the key political issues of the moment

• Study in historic Lancaster, making your home in a city where power, justice and human rights are at the heart of our history

• Take advantage of our internship opportunities, where you can work on live research projects with NGOs, think tanks and charities

• Be a part of the only university to offer a dedicated Politics Policy School with the HM Government Open Innovation team

• Hone expert skills in analysis, critical thinking and persuasive argument to prepare you for a range of ambitious careers

Study historical and political forces at work

This interdisciplinary course combines in-depth historical analysis with a critical understanding of political systems and ideas. You will explore the political and historical forces that have shaped the modern world, giving you a nuanced understanding of past events and their lasting impact on current political landscapes.

Throughout the degree, you’ll study key historical periods and events, coming to understand how politics, environments and societies have changed over time. Through expert training in History and Politics, you’ll build highly employable skills in research and analysis, enabling you to address contemporary political problems in public policy, political behaviour and comparative politics.

You will learn to ask challenging questions: How do human beings shape their political institutions and context – and how are they shaped by them? What causes a country to become democratic or authoritarian? What are the underlying causes of political division and how do these change over time? What rights do individuals have, and how have they come to possess them?

Key themes will include:

• How the institutions of governance work, and how they interact with individual political behaviour to shape political cultures

• Political ideas: how ideas like justice, freedom and equality emerge and impact human behaviour

• Social and political change: the processes through which societies transform, driven by conflict, innovation, behaviour, and ideas

Be inspired by experts

Lancaster’s BA History and Politics degree is taught by world-class academics: historians whose research is world leading and politics academics that shape current policy debates locally and nationally.

You’ll be taught by historians whose research expertise stretches across Britain and Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. Lancaster historians work at the cutting edge of the discipline addressing world challenges past and future, from global conflict and trade to the ethics of government and human rights, and from environmental transformations to technological revolutions. This research shapes our high-quality teaching, inviting you to join us at the cutting edge of History and prepare to apply your expertise in the world.