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History and Politics

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 27 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Sheffield

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Develop your expertise in historical events and the political systems that surround them. You’ll build the toolkit needed to critically analyse a range of sources, from the past to modern policy, equipping you to excel as both a historian and a political analyst.

Explore social and political events of the past in order to understand the world we live in today - and anticipate the issues of tomorrow.

In order to better understand the current social and political climate, we must look back on events and historical actors that have shaped how people and states interact. Historians are skilled in a critical appreciation of how cultures and ideas are constructed and negotiated; an understanding of power, especially who has power, how they got it, and how they use it; and what this means for people's sense of identity.

Study past societies from the ancient world to the 21st century, exploring political, social, economic and cultural themes from around the globe and laying the historical context necessary for you to engage with the politics of the UK, EU and countries across the globe.

Using case studies and exploring political theories, you’ll develop and demonstrate your views and explain what can be done to address some of the big issues affecting society today – from food poverty to climate change to free speech.

Why study this course?

  • Top 10 in the UK for Politics - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

  • Top 20 for History and Politics - The Guardian University Guide 2025

  • History research-led special subject - The research-led special subject enables you to become an expert in your chosen area. You will work directly with a leading subject expert, interrogate original sources, and engage with cutting-edge historical analysis.

  • Choose a year abroad or work placement - We have strong links with local and national organisations and institutions in Europe and the wider world, and you can easily add a year to your degree to explore history while studying in another country, or gain valuable work experience through a year-long placement.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 27 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VL12
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VL12
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAAB

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 36 Merit: 9

Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction, and 9 at Merit

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths grade 4/C

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

+ A at A Level

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
33-34

34; 33, with B in a History-based Extended Essay

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

in a relevant subject

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H2H3

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualificationhttps://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

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.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield website

International entry requirements

null https://sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/international-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.

Not enough data available

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.

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

Tuition fees for 2027 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2026-27 information as a guide.

Related courses

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