History and Politics

There is politics in almost everything we do. It is the study of power: who gets it, why they seek it and by what means they obtain it. Its principal focus is on power relations among individuals, social groups and nations. Studying history will help you to understand how the past affects every aspect of our lives - from the language we speak, to the politics of race, gender, religion and identity. This Joint Honours degree will provide you with the skills to explore the social and political landscape of human consciousness throughout time and place. You will discover how people lived, and how they perceived and interacted with the world around them. Investigating past events, you will encounter war, injustice, new frontiers, political upheaval, ancient civilisations, invasions, conspiracies, catastrophes and revolutions. You will gain a firm grasp of political and current affairs, understand the news headlines, seeing beyond them to the real issues of politics, and be in a better position to comment upon and understand what the politicians are really saying.

The Joint Honours degree offers you an opportunity to study two subjects at degree level, enabling you to benefit from high quality teaching across more than one subject.

A wide variety of options means that you can pursue your own interests – with increasing flexibility as you progress through the course. With practical skills training, including advanced analytical approaches, this degree opens up doors to a range of interesting and rewarding career possibilities and provides the skills needed to progress to higher research programmes.

Placement and/or study abroad options may be available, potentially extending the duration of study up to 4 years. Study abroad will be subject to any international travel restrictions and/or availability.

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and Benefits

• We are one of the largest centres for historical study in the UK.

• Take advantage of the opportunity to undertake collaborative projects with museums, art galleries or other external partners, equipping you with practical 'real world' experience and helping you to gain a competitive edge in the graduate jobs market.

• The Department of History, Politics and Philosophy has a wealth of expertise, with leading researchers whose published work covers a wide range of times and places, and this research underpins all of our teaching. The department is also home to the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage.

• Offers you an in-depth and varied account of the nature of politics in the twenty-first century. Politics staff have a variety of expertise in areas including critical international relations, digital politics and US foreign policy, and the course content is directly informed by these research specialisms of the teaching team.

• We place a strong emphasis on key employability skills. Our units, teaching and assessment are geared, in part, around the practical skills needed to ensure you’re fully prepared for your future career.

• Each year offers increasing levels of flexibility with a broad range of option units, so you can choose to specialise in areas that interest you.

• Our course provides flexible opportunities for internationalisation, including the opportunity to study a foreign language as part of the course, and the option to study abroad in your second year.

• The teaching team is friendly, supportive and committed to research-informed teaching, providing you with an intellectually challenging environment. As a student, you will benefit from pastoral care and a study support network designed specifically for Joint Honours students.

• Our assessments develop the essential skills you’ll need as a historian - as a problem solver, critical thinker, researcher and writer. They also embrace practical exercises which may include placements, documentary filmmaking, group projects, and the practice of public history.