History and Politics BA Honours

The course gives you the opportunity to explore the factors which have helped shape the modern world – including war and revolution, nationalism and liberalism, democracy, socialism and fascism – from both the historical and political perspectives.
The study of history provides you with knowledge and awareness of societal, political, cultural and international events, institutions, personalities and policies, which inform the philosophical, theoretical and analytical concerns of politics.
The degree offers a range of core and optional modules, which will allow you to study the history and politics of a variety of countries and regions. You can study an elective module from across the university in each year, and also take a credit-bearing history or politics internship.
Research underpins much of our teaching, and we encourage you into a community of scholars, through teaching which will enthuse and inspire you.
A wide range of assessments includes essays, critical analyses, documentary analyses, individual and group presentations, blogs, open and closed book exams, statistical analyses, reports and the dissertation.
Subjects of study
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course. For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the full course document.
Year 1 (Credit Level 4)
Subjects of study include:
Blood and Iron. The Making of the Modern World Part One: 1750-1914
British Politics
Conflict and Commemoration: War and Memory in Twentieth-Century Europe
Democracy in Crisis
Global Governance and the State
Imperial Capital, World City: London 1750-1914. Sources and Methodology
Year 2 (Credit Level 5)
Subjects of study include:
Civil War to Civil Rights: Race, Society and Politics in the USA 1850-1970
Fenians to Free State: the Making of Modern Ireland 1868-1923
History Internship OR Politics Internship
New Liberals to New Labour: British Politics 1906-2010
Politics and Society in the United States
Power and the State
Questioning Rights
Research Skills and Dissertation Preparation
Year 3 (Credit Level 6)
Subjects of study include:
Advance Readings in Contemporary Political Theory
Equality, Justice and Citizenship
History and Politics Dissertation
New World Order: a History of International Organisations in the Twentieth Century
Radical Democracy
The Armalite and the Ballot Box: a History of Twentieth-Century Irish Republicanism
The End of History? Crisis and Conflict since the Cold War
Unruly Colossus: Churchill, Politician and Writer 1874-1965
The Course content.
is listed by year, corresponding to the full-time mode of study. If you study part-time you will study the same content, spread over five years.
Westminster electives
As part of your course you can take elective modules. Electives are an exciting opportunity to widen your experience at university and to gain skills and knowledge that will help make you more employable. Find out about Westminster electives.
Course team
Anthony Gorst, Course leader
Dr Patrick Burke, Deputy course leader
Additional costs information
To check what your tuition fees cover and what you may need to pay for separately, see our What tuition fees cover page.
International Foundation course
We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation courses for international students who do not meet our Bachelor's degree entry requirements. For more information, visit the Kaplan International College website.