History and Politics

Our engaging History and Politics course will give you equal exposure to both disciplines — making it the perfect choice for those with an interest in both topics. Studying the historical and modern political roots of contemporary issues will enable you to deeply understand and be equipped to meet some of the major political challenges of the twenty-first century.

This degree programme offers an extensive range of optional modules to choose from, giving you the ability to tailor the course to suit your interests and career aspirations.

The history component of the degree offers a modern, global and relevant curriculum that aims to help you answer two key questions: how do we make sense of the past? And how has the past shaped the present? You will gain the skills to answer these questions and to apply your knowledge to a range of diverse careers in the future. Many of our modules look at the roots of contemporary concerns such as war, international relations, racism and global inequality.

The politics component of the degree equips you to think critically and analytically about contemporary political ideologies, actors and institutions. It allows you to understand the mechanics of major domestic and international institutions, how to evaluate public policy and the ways in which powerful forces such as migration, populism, climate change and international conflict are reshaping our world.

The first year provides a grounding in global political history from the 15th century to the present. Core modules equip students with the key skills for studying both history and politics, including developing research skills, engaging with primary sources and historiography, how to understand political ideologies and how to interpret various kinds of statistical data.

Optional modules cover the 19th to 21st centuries and range widely across the globe (including the United States, Britain, Germany, China, India, Russia, the Middle East and the continent of Africa), allowing you to learn about the diverse histories and contemporary politics of much of the world. You will have the opportunity to study politics in regional and global contexts, examine contentious political subjects in detail and consider problems of political violence, injustice and conflict in different political contexts.

For further insight into what you can expect to study on our History and Politics BA (Hons) course, please see the list of modules below.

Course Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

During your degree, you will be assessed through a variety of innovative and diverse assessments.

As well as writing essays and exams, you might give oral presentations, write blog posts, record vlogs, design posters, write policy reports or engage in political simulations. You may also engage in group work for some assessments.

You will also complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice, allowing you to develop the skills of a researcher and pursue your specific interests. This could focus on history or politics or incorporate elements of both.