University of Portsmouth Open Experience Day
21 Mar 2026, 08:30
Portsmouth
With this foundation year course, you'll gain all the credentials you need to begin your career in history and politics. It's ideal for you if you don't yet meet the entry requirements of our undergraduate degree, if you're returning to study after a break away, or you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.
You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.
The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.
After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BA (Hons) History and Politics.
A guaranteed place
Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto BA (Hons) History and Politics with a guaranteed place.
Course highlights
ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies
When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) History and Politics
Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success
Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university
Careers and opportunities
When you complete this foundation year, you'll be all set to continue on to our BA (Hons) History and Politics. Studying history and politics together will give you transferable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, research, analysis and argument, all of which are highly valued by many kinds of employers. You could also continue your studies at Master's or PhD level in history, politics or a combination of the two.
What areas can you work in with a history and politics degree?
Graduates from our other history and politics courses have taken up roles in the following sectors:
central and local government
primary and secondary schools
higher education providers
financial services
corporate governance
trade unions
Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you'll have the chance to do an optional year-long work placement to get valuable work experience in a sector of your choice. Students from our other history and politics courses have secured placements at:
The Ministry of Defence
The House of Commons
National Museum of the Royal Navy
Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK
Shrewsbury Museums
Law firms such as Darton Law Ltd
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsThis section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
Course optionsUniversity of Portsmouth
Mercantile House
Hampshire Terrace
Portsmouth
PO1 2EG
Email:admissions@port.ac.uk
Phone:023 9284 5566
At University of Portsmouth