The History and Politics joint degree will appeal to ambitious students interested in developing a deep understanding of politics and political processes rooted in both the past and the present. You will work closely with world class academics to develop the tools and techniques of historical research, and acquire an international and global perspective on politics and power
The course provides a strong grounding in modern history, political theory, the history of ideas and the study of politics. You will work with digital information, engage in independent research projects of your own design, and practice developing policy positions on current events.
History and Politics graduates go on to work in fields such as public policy, education, consulting, advocacy and NGOs, law, publishing, and the heritage sector.
How have historical events and political processes shaped the modern world? What are the key issues and transnational forces that have allowed the contemporary world order to emerge?
Studying at a diverse university with an international outlook, this degree will develop your understanding and knowledge of historical and contemporary political issues from an international and global perspective. Through a selection of modules from the City History and Politics programmes, and core seminars designed exclusively for the joint degree, History and Politics students will examine key historical and political developments in a range of nations, societies and cultures.
Students will develop skills in independent research, critical analysis, communication, public speaking and policy writing. Career development opportunities are embedded within the course: as part of the course students will engage with contemporary politics and policymakers, and will have the opportunity to gain professional experience through a work placement.
For help with the new UCAS tariff please visit UCAS tariff
We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.
A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 Level 3 including at least 27 at distinction and the remaining 18 at merit. The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English Language at GCSE.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications for direct entry to our programmes.
You can apply for a course here before you sit your final school exams (we would recommend applying in the October/November of the year before you wish to start). Any offer we decide to make to you will be conditional on you achieving the appropriate score in your school leaving qualifications, in conjunction with your English language qualification.
If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
INTO City, University of London offers pathway programmes in a range of academic subjects and English language to help you prepare for degree-level study at City. You’ll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.
Learn more about the International Foundation in Humanities and Law. and the International Foundation programme in Business and Economics with Society and Culture
INTO City courses are validated by City, University of London providing assurance of the quality and standards of education.
If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum requirement is
Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.
International Students (EEA and Non EEA) coming to study in the UK, may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:
For more information see our main Visa page.
Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.
You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.
Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.
UCAS has implemented an ‘invisibility of choices’ policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.
You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £23 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £12.
Your application for entry in September 2021 should arrive at UCAS between September 2020 and 29th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 29th January 2021 will be considered only at City's discretion.
When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.
For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:
Email: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.
If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.
Website: www.ucas.com
Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ
Telephone: from inside the UK 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468
For callers with hearing difficulties: from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.
* The fee for this course in 2020/21 was £9,250 for each year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2021/22 are to be confirmed.
** In 2020/21 the fee was £15,920 for the first year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2021/22 are to be confirmed. The institution reserves the right to increase your tuition fees annually to take account of the institution's increased costs of delivering educational services. The increase will normally be 2% but this is kept under review with reference to the RPI. If the institution intends to increase your tuition fees you will be advised of this alongside the published entry fee.
You will find a wide variety of funding sources and options available for the History BA (Hons) at City. To help you fund your studies, our award-winning Student Centre will provide you with financial advice and support.
Get the latest information on funding options, financial support and typical living costs.
Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit the City Finance website.
Find out how UK/EU students can receive £2,000 in their first year of study.
We operate a Guarantee Scheme for first year undergraduates which means you will be offered place in one of City's affiliated Halls if you meet the Scheme's criteria.
Read more about our undergraduate halls.
Our Accommodation Service can also help you find private accommodation.
We offer a free language course for City, University of London students.
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
We offer an extensive support network during your time here at City, University of London – from Learning Support (including disability support) and counselling to financial and career advice – leaving you free to enjoy every opportunity campus life has to offer.
Find out more about the different types of student support available.
Chat to our current students and read their blogs to gain an insight into studying at City and learn more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
To make sure that you can begin or continue your studies with us during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and adapted our courses to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. We have modified the way some of our courses are delivered, with many programmes being made available online.
Contact us to find out more about how our programmes will be delivered.
The course is delivered in a supportive, energised department by experienced academic staff who are committed to teaching and mentoring.
Our teaching and learning methods are designed to develop your knowledge and enthusiasm for history and politics while stimulating your engagement and participation in the learning process. You will learn through a combination of thought-provoking lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops, and small group seminars. Your learning will be supported by a personal tutorial system.
You will undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to deepen and broaden your knowledge of course content, and learn how to use digital resources in your research and presentation. Your self-directed learning will be supported in a variety of ways, including online resources and interactive sessions where you will be invited to ask questions and participate in in-depth discussions with other students and teaching staff.
As an interdisciplinary degree, this course will also provide you with the opportunity to expand your learning through a wide range of elective modules from the School of Arts and Social Sciences.
The assessment weighting for year one is 10%, year two is 30% and year three is 60%.
You will be assessed through a variety of methods, which may include coursework, essays, reading reflections, unseen exams, oral presentations, group assignments, and a history dissertation.
Assessment will emphasise both intellectual rigor and skills that will be crucial in your subsequent professional life.
The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:
First-year students are introduced to the global history of the modern world, the principles and ideas that define the study of politics, key concepts and thinkers in political theory, and the foundations of comparative politics.
They will examine the contributions historians can make to the study of politics, and the ways in which scholars of politics draw on the past to understand the development of institutions, societies, and power dynamics in the present.
Second-year students study the ideas and ideologies that have shaped the modern world, situate these ideas in their historical context, and develop an advanced understanding of comparative politics. They will develop policy positions on contemporary political and social issues, and will also have the option to build employability skills through a work placement.
Final-year students conduct a major piece of independent research, develop their analytical skills in a History and Politics Research Seminar, and choose from a wide variety of specialist modules.
The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.
Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning. Approximate study time, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:
The programme has been designed in consultation with employers from fields including the civil service, public policy research, and the charity sector. Professional development is embedded throughout the program at all levels.
The programme also equips you with a range of employment-oriented skills, including critical analysis, time management, research, teamwork, oral and written communication, and the work with digital information.
As a History and Politics graduate, you can aspire to future roles in:
Find out more about City and all our undergraduate degree programmes.