History and Politics BA Hons

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Lancaster University

Program Overview

If you’re someone who loves understanding why the world is the way it is — and how history and politics shape everything around us — this degree is made for you. The programme blends real-world political insight with rich historical context, helping you build the curiosity, confidence and perspective needed for careers in public service, media, policy, international relations and more.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year gives you a strong foundation in both subjects. You’ll explore Controversy in History, uncover how societies changed in Modern Britain, and examine how people engage with political life in Parties, Populism and Protest. It’s the perfect starting point to build your critical thinking and get comfortable analysing big ideas.

Year 2

In the second year, the programme lets you dive deeper. Modules like Human and Environment introduce you to the relationship between people and the world around them, while Theories of the State and Power helps you understand how political systems function — and why they succeed or fail. This stage really strengthens your analytical and research skills.

Year 3

Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll complete an independent Politics & International Relations Dissertation, guided by an academic expert, and personalise your learning with modules such as Politics of Policy, Russia and China, or Technology and Social Justice. It’s a chance to explore a topic you care about while building skills that employers value.

Focus Areas

Historical change | Political systems | Power & governance | Global issues | Policy and social justice

Learning Outcomes

Critical analysis, independent research, evidence-based arguments, policy interpretation, and the ability to connect past events to today’s global challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is not tied to a specific professional body, but it’s built with strong links to policy, research and public-sector engagement — helping you graduate with experience that feels relevant and career-ready.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Lancaster is consistently a top-10 UK university (Complete University Guide 2026), and it is recognised as one of the top 30 most-targeted universities by major employers — which means graduates benefit from strong visibility in the job market.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Lancaster, experiential learning is built into the heart of the BA (Hons) History & Politics degree — so you won’t just study ideas, you’ll use them. From day one, you’ll explore how political decisions are made, how history is researched, and how both fields shape real communities today. You’ll work with professionals, access specialist institutes, and take part in projects that mirror the work of policy analysts, researchers and historians. Lancaster’s campus gives you the perfect setting to do this, with a world-class library, a vibrant policy school, and a city full of historical depth right on your doorstep.
To make this experience even richer, the programme brings together hands-on practice, research collaboration and industry involvement:

Here’s what this looks like in action:

Live research projects with external partners such as NGOs, think tanks and charities — giving you the chance to apply your political and historical knowledge in real-world contexts.
Access to the Lancaster University Policy School, where students engage directly with government innovation teams and policy experts, learning how modern policy is shaped and delivered.
Guest lectures and practitioner sessions with professionals working in government, public affairs, museums, heritage organisations and political analysis.
Use of Lancaster’s award-winning Library, home to over half a million printed sources, extensive digital archives, and specialist research spaces that support independent study and dissertation work.
A historically rich environment, with the city of Lancaster offering real historical landmarks, archives and cultural settings that are regularly used in teaching and student projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

One of the best things about studying History & Politics at Lancaster is how many doors it opens after graduation. This degree gives you the ability to think clearly, analyse complex situations and understand the world from multiple angles — qualities that employers genuinely look for. Many graduates step into roles like policy analyst, political journalist, research officer or heritage and museum professional, where they get to influence decisions, tell stories that matter and work with organisations that shape society.

And the support you get along the way makes a real difference, because Lancaster doesn’t leave you to figure out your career on your own — they walk with you through the whole journey:

Here’s how Lancaster helps you get career-ready:

Careers & Employability Team: You’ll have personalised one-to-one guidance, CV and interview support, and employer networking events — plus lifetime career help even after you graduate.
Strong employer recognition: Lancaster is one of the top 30 most-targeted universities in the UK, which means big employers actively look for Lancaster graduates.
Impressive graduate outcomes: Students in Politics typically earn around £28,000, and History graduates around £27,000 just 15 months after finishing — a strong indicator of the value of the degree.
Real-world partnerships: Through the Richardson Institute and projects with NGOs, charities and think-tanks, you’ll build practical experience that employers genuinely care about.
Long-term flexibility: Even without formal accreditation, the mix of historical insight and political analysis gives you lifelong versatility — you can move across public, private and non-profit sectors with ease.

Further Academic Progression:

If you discover a passion for deeper study, Lancaster also prepares you for postgraduate pathways such as International Relations, Public Policy, Political Economy, Heritage Studies, Peace & Conflict Studies, or eventually a PhD. The research and analytical skills you gain in this degree make that next step feel natural and achievable.