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International History and Politics

  • 3 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

BA International History and Politics will give you an unrivalled opportunity to study the principal international challenges of today in the light of their recent historical past. The course focuses on the modern and contemporary history of world affairs, from the late nineteenth century to the present. Beginning with the origins and outcomes of the First World War, the course also investigates the interwar period, the Second World War and its aftermath, and the Cold War, before moving into the post-Cold War period and the challenges of the 'war on terror,' its effects and implications.

Focusing on tensions and challenges in international history, this course investigates some of the most important changes on the world stage over the last hundred years or so. You can study the role of states and international diplomacy, and the rise of international organisations and non-state actors across the period. You can learn about security and insecurity, and how these concepts have shifted over time. You might focus on transnational questions, such as refugees in Europe, or revolutions in central and south America. You could specialise in the international history of particular regions, such as the Middle East or East Asia. Or you could choose to study histories of crisis, conflict and inequalities, and the legacies of the contested international past.

BA International History and Politics is a challenging, integrated single-honours degree. Compulsory modules will give you a firm grounding in key periods and themes. You will also develop the historical skills you'll need to succeed in your studies. You can choose modules in each year of your course to help tailor your degree to your own interests. With the support of expert tutors and access to excellent facilities, you'll also build wider skills that are highly valued by employers.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

University of Leeds has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be AAB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

T Level

Might be accepted as in combination with other qualifications, please contact admissions teams for further advice & guidance.

Scottish Higher

AA in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers, or A in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers

Access to HE Diploma

Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work are required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Extended Project

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be AAB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 35

35 points overall with 17 at Higher Level

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H2H2

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3D3M2

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

European Baccalaureate: 85%

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Successful completion of Year 1 of a relevant degree course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background. Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted. If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application. Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions. Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year: This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree. The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this course, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.http://www.leeds.ac.uk/projectleeds/info/123100/admissions/143/entry_requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

International entry requirements

To see the equivalent entry requirements for your country, please visit our website. https://www.leeds.ac.uk/admissions-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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