History and Politics BA Honours

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Westminster

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how the world became what it is today—and how politics continues to shape every part of society—this degree gives you the perfect blend of both. It’s designed for students who love asking big questions, exploring different perspectives, and want to build a strong understanding of history, power, and global change.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Your Foundation

Your first year gives you a strong grounding in both history and politics. You’ll explore how British politics works, understand major political ideas, and examine Britain’s role in the world with modules like British Politics, Political Ideas in Action, Global Governance and Development, and Imperial Island: Britain 1760–1867. It’s a great mix of learning how systems operate and how historical events shaped the modern world.

Year 2 – Deepening Your Perspective

In your second year, the topics become more specialised and thought-provoking. You’ll dive into major global transitions through modules such as Age of Extremes 1914–1991 (Parts 1 & 2), explore cultural change in Sex, Race, Culture and Social Change, and strengthen your analytical skills through Theorising Politics and International Relations. This year really helps you find your interests and understand how history and politics connect across continents.

Year 3 – Shaping Your Expertise

Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll work on your own independent dissertation and choose advanced modules such as The End of History? Crisis and Conflict since the Cold War, Politics and Development in the Middle East, or take part in a hands-on experience through the Archives and Museums Internship. This year prepares you for the world beyond university—whether that’s a career or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

“Modern global history · political systems and ideas · global governance · cultural change · archives and applied research · regional studies (Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia).”

Learning Outcomes

“You’ll graduate as a confident researcher and communicator, able to analyse complex political and historical issues, question narratives, understand global challenges, and bring an informed perspective to any professional environment.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Although this degree doesn’t have a specific accreditation, it is strongly career-focused. You’ll have opportunities for internships, archival work, applied research, and support from Westminster’s Careers & Employability Service, helping you build real-world experience while you study.

Reputation (Employability + Rankings)

Westminster is globally recognised (QS World University Rankings band #801–850, 2026), and this particular course is praised for teaching quality and academic support. Graduates have gone into roles in government, public affairs, museums, NGOs, research organisations, journalism, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best parts of studying History and Politics at Westminster is that your learning doesn’t stay in the classroom — it becomes real, hands-on, and connected to London itself. Because the campus is right in the heart of the city, you’ll constantly use London’s museums, archives, libraries, and political spaces as extensions of your coursework. Whether you’re analysing original documents, walking through historical neighbourhoods, or working directly with professionals in museums and archives, you’ll build practical skills that employers genuinely value. You’ll also have opportunities for a placement year or a study-abroad experience, giving you a head start in your career even before you graduate.

And to make this even more impactful, the programme includes several structured, real-world learning experiences, such as:

Field trips across the UK and Europe — These include visits to museums, archives, cultural institutions, and historically significant sites, as well as guided city walks that help you understand political and social change on the ground.
Unmatched access to top-tier London research resources — Because the campus is centrally located, you are “close to many of the country’s leading libraries and archives”, giving you everyday access to materials used by historians and political researchers.
A supervised independent dissertation — In your final year, you’ll work one-on-one with a specialist academic to design and complete your own original research project.
Professional placement year option — If you choose the “Professional Experience” pathway, you’ll spend a year gaining hands-on work experience in a relevant organisation before completing your final year.
Study-abroad year option — The “International Experience” route lets you spend a year abroad before Year 3, adding global exposure to your academic profile.
Practical internship module — Modules like Archives and Museums Internship give you real working experience inside archival and heritage environments.
Career and industry support through Zone 29 — Westminster connects you with over 3,000 employers, giving you access to workshops, employer events, and career coaching throughout your degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

By the time you graduate, you’ll have a strong blend of historical insight and political understanding—skills that employers genuinely value. Westminster graduates from this course often move into areas like public affairs, government departments, education, NGOs, museums, and heritage organisations. The programme is designed to help you become a confident researcher and communicator, ready to take on roles such as public affairs consultant, archives or museum professional, policy support officer, or education and outreach coordinator.

To help you transition smoothly into your career, Westminster offers structured support and real industry connections. Here’s how the university strengthens your professional journey:

Careers & Employability Support (Zone 29) — You’ll have access to personalised career coaching, networking events, mentoring, employer workshops, and connections to more than 3,000 industry partners, giving you a strong start when exploring internships or graduate roles.
Strong graduate outcomes — According to national data, approximately 75% of Westminster social science graduates are working or pursuing further study within 15 months of graduating.
International partnerships that open doors — For Politics and International Relations students, Westminster collaborates with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), offering internship opportunities in major global hubs like Geneva, Vienna, Dhaka, and London—giving you real international exposure.
Skills that retain long-term value — While the degree doesn’t carry an external accreditation, it is intentionally designed to develop qualities and intellectual skills that make you highly employable across both public and private sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

If you choose to continue studying, this degree sets you up beautifully for postgraduate pathways. You can progress into Master’s programmes such as International Relations, Public Policy, Museum Studies, Global Political Economy, History, or related areas. Your final-year dissertation and research training will give you a strong foundation for advanced academic work, including future doctoral study if you ever choose that path.