History, Politics and International Relations

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

If you're fascinated by how past events shape today’s politics and global affairs, this degree is made for you. Royal Holloway’s BA History, Politics and International Relations lets you study everything from ancient empires and world wars to modern governments, international conflict, diplomacy, and global change — all in one powerful, interdisciplinary course.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of History and Global Politics
Your first year builds a strong base across all three areas. In History, you explore key periods and learn how historians work with evidence and interpretation. In Politics and International Relations, modules like Introduction to Politics and Government and Introduction to International Relations introduce ideas such as power, democracy, war, the state, and global cooperation. You'll also begin analysing texts in Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and IR, from Plato and Hobbes to Fanon and Gandhi.

Year 2 – Developing Specialism and Research Skills
In your second year, you start connecting historical events with modern political systems. You’ll study topics like democratisation, colonialism, international organisations, human rights, and foreign policy, while choosing History modules that range from medieval Europe to the Cold War and modern Britain. You’ll also take Researching Politics and International Relations: Methods, Techniques and Analysis, where you learn how to use data, archives, documents, and political case studies to conduct real academic research.

Year 3 – Tailoring Your Degree and Independent Dissertation
This is where you make the degree your own. You’ll choose specialist modules—such as Refugees and Migration in World Politics, Radical Political Theory, European Union Public Policy, or advanced History topics like Empire, War and Revolution. You’ll also complete a dissertation or extended research essay, giving you the chance to dive deeply into a topic you’re passionate about — whether that’s political propaganda, revolutions, diplomacy, or the legacy of empires.

Focus areas (in a string):

“modern and medieval history, political theory, diplomacy, foreign policy, international organisations, migration, democracy and global conflict”

Learning outcomes (in a string):

“graduates will be able to critically analyse historical and political events, conduct independent research, communicate complex ideas clearly, and apply ethical and global perspectives to modern-day issues”

Professional alignment (accreditation):

This degree isn’t tied to a specific profession like law or engineering, but it’s designed to develop skills that employers actively look for — research, analysis, debate, writing, policy understanding, and global awareness — ideal for careers in government, diplomacy, journalism, NGOs, law, and heritage sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Royal Holloway is part of the University of London and is ranked highly for its research in History and Politics.
Politics graduates from Royal Holloway earn an average salary of £26,000 within 15 months, and many go into government, media, and international organisations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This course isn’t about memorising dates or political theories and writing essays for three years — it’s about actually doing what historians, researchers, and political thinkers do in the real world. At Royal Holloway, you’ll work with original historical documents, debate global issues, use political data, and even take on real research projects guided by lecturers who are active in their fields.

You’ll be based in the historic Founder's and McCrea Buildings, where the History, Politics and International Relations departments are located — with access to specialist libraries, archives, digital tools and research spaces just for students like you.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Real group projects from first year
In the module History in the Making, you work in a team to research a historical topic, create a visual poster, and present it to your class — just like real academic conferences or policy briefings.
Learning how to research like a professional
In Researching Politics and International Relations, you’re trained to use real tools like political databases, government reports, opinion polls, and historical archives. You’ll learn how to collect evidence, analyse it, and turn it into arguments that make sense.
Access to specialist digital tools & archives
You’ll use:
- Oxford Handbooks of Political Science
- JSTOR and historical newspaper archives
- Communication & Mass Media Complete database
  These aren’t just for essays — you’ll use them for projects, debates, and your dissertation.
Talks, seminars, and research hubs
You’ll get to attend talks from diplomats, historians, journalists, and researchers through centres such as:
- Centre for Global Politics and Development
- Centre for Public History
- Centre for the History of Political Thought
Politics & History student community
You can join the Politics & International Relations Society or History Society, where students take part in:
- Model United Nations simulations (some even in New York and London)
- Debates on current issues like elections, wars, and human rights
- Guest sessions with MPs, NGO workers, journalists, and alumni
Optional internships & placements
Students can apply for work experience in places like:
- UK Parliament (MP offices)
- Local councils and government departments
- NGOs, heritage organisations, and political research groups
- Museums and archives
Final-year dissertation — your own research project
In your last year, you choose a topic you care about — from revolutions, migration, and foreign policy to empire or philosophy of politics — and work one-on-one with a supervisor to produce real academic research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree opens doors to a wide range of careers because it trains you to think critically, analyse global issues, and communicate with clarity — skills that employers in government, media, law, NGOs, and research highly value. Many graduates go on to work as Policy Analysts, Diplomatic Services Officers, Public Affairs Consultants, Political Researchers, or Journalists, using both their historical knowledge and political understanding to make sense of the world and help shape it.

To give you a clearer picture of your future, here’s how Royal Holloway supports your career journey:

Career Support You Actually Use:
Through the Careers & Employability Service, you can book one-to-one career coaching, attend CV and interview workshops, get LinkedIn advice, and meet employers on campus through networking events and alumni talks.
Strong Graduate Outcomes & Salary Data:
Around 85% of students from related degrees are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average salary of Politics graduates is around £26,000 after 15 months — higher than many UK humanities averages.
Real Industry Connections & Placements:
The department has links with Members of Parliament, local government, NGOs, and research institutes. Through the Politics & International Relations placement scheme, students have worked in Westminster offices, human rights groups, local councils, and policy organisations.
Recognised and Respected Degree:
While this degree isn’t tied to a single profession like law or engineering, it gives you high-value skills — research, writing, argumentation, ethical reasoning, and international awareness — which are sought after in careers across public service, diplomacy, media, education, law, and heritage.
Where Do Graduates Go?
Alumni work at places like the UK Civil Service, BBC, Cabinet Office, Channel 4, think tanks, the Science Museum, Penguin Books, NGOs, and political consultancies.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to study further, you’ll have a strong foundation for postgraduate paths like:

MA in International Relations, History, Global Governance, or Political Philosophy
MSc in Public Policy, Diplomacy, or Conflict Studies
Law Conversion Course (PGDL) if you want to move into legal practice
MPhil/PhD research in History, Politics, International Relations, or related areas