History and PoliticsBA Hons

Discover how the politics of the past have shaped the world we know today. On this BA (Hons) History and Politics degree, you'll retrace the political and social conflicts, revolutions and protest movements of yesterday in order to make sense of the here and now and create positive change.

Travel back to pivotal political moments in time from around the globe guided by our expert academics. Craft your own learning experience by choosing to study the historical and political subjects and eras that most inspire you, such as the French Revolution, post war Britain and Germany, or the American Civil Rights Movement.

As this is an interdisciplinary course, each year you'll also study a bespoke combined history and politics module as well as delving into each subject separately.

Through the course's overarching theme of 'changing the world', you'll use what you learn to rethink modern societal issues, such as social justice, racial and gender equality, and global migration.

You'll graduate with an insight into the powers and processes that have formed today's societies and how positive changes are made. Armed with this understanding of the past, you'll be empowered to address the challenges of the future. 

Studying history and politics together will give you transferable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, research, analysis and argument, all of which are highly valued by many kinds of employers.

You could also continue your studies at Master's or PhD level in history, politics or a combination of the two.

What jobs can you do with a history and politics degree?

Roles our graduates from other history and politics courses have taken on include:

• public affairs consultant
• museum curator
• archivist
• development editor in publishing
• researcher and writer for TV
• teacher
• political researcher, Houses of Parliament
• assistant to Member of Parliament
• civil servant, Department for the Cabinet Office
• senior policy advisor, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• communications officer, House of Commons
• local government administrator, Government of Jersey

Placement year (optional)

After your second year, you'll have the chance to do an optional year-long work placement to get valuable work experience in a sector of your choice. 

Potential placement roles

Students from our other history and politics courses have secured placements at: 

• The Ministry of Defence 
• The House of Commons 
• National Museum of the Royal Navy
• Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK
• Shrewsbury Museums
• Law firms such as Darton Law Ltd

The sort of activities you could do during your placement year will depend on the field of your chosen placement. Among other activities, our previous placement students have curated exhibitions, worked as paralegals, organised charity events, or supported MPs in their constituency offices.

We'll help you to identify opportunities and approach possible organisations and businesses. You'll have support from our Placement and Internship Centre and a personal tutor throughout the year.

We can also help you find shorter placements, internships or volunteering opportunities in and around Portsmouth to complement your studies and build your CV. Previous students have done projects for community groups and worked with heritage sites, archives, political parties and local government. 

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

• essays
• article reviews
• briefing papers
• projects
• close textual analysis
• group and individual presentations/podcasts
• simulations
• website creation
• blogs
• dissertation

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• workshops
• seminars
• one-on-one tutorials

There's an emphasis on learning the skills to conduct your own research, follow your own initiative, and confidently present your ideas.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a web connection.

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means your face-to-face teaching will be supported by online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your History and Politics degree.

In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 13 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, independent reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Tuition fees (2023 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees (2024 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.