History and Politics Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

BA (Hons) History and Politics helps you understand how historical events, ideas and movements continue to influence today’s political debates and decisions. With us, you’ll explore major periods of history and learn how power, conflict and social change have shaped societies, while also getting to grips with the systems, institutions and political ideas that drive government and global events today.  

Throughout your degree, you’ll build the long-term perspective needed to make sense of the political present, examining how past struggles, ideologies and turning points connect to the political issues we’re facing today. You’ll be taught by expert researchers across both subjects, giving you access to a wide range of historical and political approaches, and helping you develop the critical thinking, analysis and communication skills that employers are looking for. 

Our history component covers time periods and regions from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the medieval world, the Tudors, the Americas, China, India, and modern global conflicts and revolutions. Alongside this, the politics element of this course will help you understand current events, how change happens, and how you can be part of it. 

This course is ideal if you’re curious about how societies evolve, why political systems work the way they do, and how understanding the past can help shape a fairer, more informed future. Whether you’re passionate about justice, leadership, social change or global affairs, you’ll have the chance to explore the topics that inspire you and begin carving out your own path to make a difference. 

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and benefits

* Joint honours: Study two subjects at degree level, benefitting from high quality teaching and a study support network designed specifically for Joint Honours students.

* Prime location: Study at one of the largest centres for historical study in the UK.

* Flexible learning: Shape your degree around your interests with flexible module choices that cover a vast span of time periods, locations and political events.

* Research-based learning: Learn from leading researchers whose published work covers a wide range of times, places and politics.

* Career ready: Employability is embedded into all areas of the programme. We provide regular networking opportunities with alumni and employers as well as offering a range of volunteering, internship and placement opportunities, and a variety of work-based tasks.

* Community insight: Undertake collaborative projects with museums, art galleries or other external partners, equipping you with practical 'real world' experience.

* Build connections: The department is home to the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage, which has strong professional links and partnerships with heritage and cultural institutions. Politics and International relations staff are also research-active.

* International opportunities: Our course provides flexible opportunities for internationalisation, including an opportunity to study a foreign language as part of the course, and the option to study abroad in your second year.