History and Politics BA (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

If you’ve ever wondered how the world became what it is today—or how your generation could help change it—this course is built for you. The BA (Hons) History and Politics degree at the University of Portsmouth explores how power, conflict, and ideas have shaped societies over time. You’ll dive into the forces behind major global issues such as inequality, migration, and human rights, developing the critical thinking skills to make sense of both past and present.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You’ll start by exploring the foundations of both disciplines through modules like Analysing Politics: Britain and Beyond, Discovering World Histories: Peoples and Places, and Political Thought. These courses help you connect key historical turning points to modern-day challenges while sharpening your analytical and writing skills.

Year 2:
As you progress, you’ll focus on the idea of “Changing the World”—examining how activism, empire, and global power have evolved. Choose from topics like Development and Democracy in Latin America or Empire and Its Afterlives in Britain, Europe and Africa, and even explore issues like Transitional Justice and Human Rights. This is where you begin shaping your degree around your passions.

Year 3:
Your final year is all about independence and depth. You’ll choose specialist modules such as Security Challenges in the 21st Century or Religion and Politics in Global Perspective, and complete a dissertation on a topic that truly inspires you. It’s your opportunity to showcase everything you’ve learned and prepare for life after university.

Focus Areas

Historical change • Political institutions • Global justice • Human rights • Activism and migration

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with a strong understanding of how the past informs present politics, the confidence to argue complex ideas, and the ability to conduct independent research—skills that are highly valued in government, media, education, and international organizations.

Professional Alignment

While not tied to a specific accreditation body, this degree is closely aligned with the analytical and research standards sought in civil service, policy analysis, teaching, and law-related careers.

Reputation & Employability

Portsmouth ranks as the #1 modern university in the UK for research quality in Area Studies (REF 2021). Graduates from this program are well-equipped for roles that demand insight, critical judgment, and global awareness.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Portsmouth, studying History and Politics is all about learning through experience. You won’t just read about revolutions, diplomacy, and social movements — you’ll actively engage with them through fieldwork, debates, simulations, and placements that connect theory to the real world. This immersive approach helps you develop practical research, communication, and analytical skills that employers value across government, law, education, journalism, and non-profit sectors.

Through a blend of lectures, workshops, interactive debates, and real-world projects, you’ll become confident in using evidence to make strong arguments and interpret historical and political change. The university’s vibrant setting — home to rich archives, museums, and civic institutions — gives you a living classroom right on your doorstep.

Here’s how experiential learning shapes your journey at Portsmouth:

Field Trips and Archival Visits
Learn outside the classroom through guided visits to historical and political landmarks such as the D-Day Story Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and the Portsmouth Records Service. These experiences give you direct access to original documents, artefacts, and exhibitions, helping you understand how public history is curated and communicated.
Model United Nations and Political Simulations
Take part in Portsmouth’s highly interactive Model United Nations (MUN) exercises. You’ll represent a country, negotiate global issues, and draft resolutions, gaining a real sense of diplomacy, public speaking, and critical negotiation — essential skills for political and international careers.
Placement and Work-Based Learning Year
The course offers an optional paid placement year, where you can work full-time in a museum, cultural institution, NGO, government department, or media organisation. These placements let you apply academic learning in professional settings — a valuable head start for graduate employment.
Study Abroad and International Partnerships
Expand your global awareness through the Study Abroad programme. Spend a semester or a full academic year studying at partner universities in Canada, France, Japan, Sweden, or Australia, and experience international politics and history from new perspectives while earning credits toward your degree.
Free Language Learning
Through the University’s Global Languages Programme, you can study languages such as Arabic, German, Japanese, Mandarin, or Spanish alongside your degree — completely free. This opportunity strengthens your employability and opens doors to international roles in diplomacy, development, and global policy.
Specialised Academic Facilities
Benefit from access to one of the most advanced university libraries on the south coast, with extensive archives, digital databases, and online resources for political and historical research. The Library and Archives Service offers one-on-one research support and exclusive access to primary sources, while digital tools enable you to analyse data, documents, and policy materials efficiently.
Group Projects and Research Training
From your first year, you’ll engage in group presentations, collaborative research, and peer debates. Modules like Changing the World and Discovering World Histories include team-based projects where you evaluate political movements or historical transitions together, learning how to manage collaboration and communicate findings effectively.

This rich combination of fieldwork, practical placements, digital learning, and international exposure means that by the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand how history and politics shape our world — you’ll have experienced it firsthand through real-world applications and professional engagement.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BA (Hons) in History and Politics from Portsmouth opens doors to a wide range of exciting and meaningful careers. You’ll leave the university with a strong ability to analyse complex information, communicate ideas clearly, and understand how societies and governments function — skills that are highly valued across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Typical career paths include roles such as political researcher, public affairs consultant, museum curator, civil service officer, or communications executive. Many graduates also pursue work in policy, education, journalism, and international development — areas where your critical thinking and cultural insight truly stand out.

Here’s how the University of Portsmouth supports your journey from classroom to career:

Dedicated Careers & Employability Service – You’ll have access to personalised career coaching, placement support, and interview preparation — not just during your studies but for up to five years after graduation.
Strong employability record – Around 90% of Portsmouth graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree, with average starting salaries around £30,000 depending on the role.
Work experience and placements – Students have secured internships and placements with organisations like the Ministry of Defence, the House of Commons, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and human rights charities such as Freedom from Torture.
Transferable professional skills – The course builds competencies in research, communication, and evidence-based reasoning — foundations for long-term success in law, policy, heritage, or leadership positions.
Industry and academic connections – Through guest lectures, fieldwork, and project-based learning, you’ll network with experts from political institutions, cultural organisations, and research bodies that shape public life.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing your undergraduate degree, you could continue to postgraduate study with a Master’s in History, Politics, or International Relations, or pursue research-based degrees such as an MPhil or PhD. Many students also specialise further in areas like Public Policy, Global Governance, or Heritage Management, preparing for leadership or academic careers.