History and Politics, BA Hons

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Greenwich

Program Overview

If you’re someone who loves understanding how past events shape today’s political decisions, this degree is a perfect fit. At Greenwich, History and Politics come together in a way that helps you explore the big ideas, turning points, and power structures that have shaped societies across Britain, Europe, and the wider world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year gives you a solid foundation in both subjects. Through modules like People, Power and Politics and Skills for Social and Political Sciences, you’ll explore how political systems operate, what influences them, and how to study them critically. Alongside this, history modules introduce you to over 500 years of global and British change, helping you see how major events have shaped political life today.

Year 2

In the second year, you begin to connect political analysis with deeper historical understanding. Modules such as Political Parties and Researching Social & Political Sciences allow you to examine how political ideas evolve and how real research in politics is conducted. You’ll also explore powerful themes like migration, borders, race, gender, and conflict, and how these issues are rooted in both historical and political contexts.

Year 3

Your final year lets you specialise and create a pathway that reflects your interests. You’ll complete an independent research project or a placement, gaining real hands-on experience. Modules like Parliamentary Studies and Politics and Its Discontents help you dive deeper into how democracy functions, how power is challenged, and how political institutions shape everyday life.

Focus Areas

“Political theory, modern global history, comparative politics, international development, migration and borders, race and gender, research methods.”

Learning Outcomes

“Develop strong analytical and research skills, understand political and historical change, learn to build persuasive arguments, communicate confidently, and apply historical and political insight to real-world issues.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree prepares you for careers across public policy, heritage and cultural organisations, journalism, government departments, education, and research. Being in London gives you access to leading museums, archives, political institutions, and cultural resources that enhance your learning.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Greenwich holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), reflecting outstanding teaching quality and excellent student outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Studying History and Politics at Greenwich means you’ll learn in ways that feel real, relevant and connected to the world around you. Because the university is set in one of London’s most historic areas, you’re constantly surrounded by museums, archives and cultural spaces that bring your learning to life. As you move through the course, you also get the chance to step into the workplace through optional placements or a full sandwich year, giving you the confidence and experience to stand out when you graduate.

To give you a clearer picture of what hands-on learning looks like in this degree, here are some of the key experiences you’ll have:

A work placement option in your final year, where you can gain practical experience in sectors like public policy, heritage, culture or education and apply what you’ve learned in a real organisation.
A historic, London-based learning environment, with direct access to museum and library collections—an incredible advantage when you’re researching historical events, political movements or cultural change.
Modules that engage with real case studies, especially around themes such as race, gender, political violence and global development, helping you understand complex issues through contemporary and historical examples.
A 4-year sandwich option, giving you the chance to spend an entire year working in industry, exploring possible career paths and building a professional network before you return for your final year of study.
Strong academic and library support, with more than 90% of students reporting that the university’s online resources, IT systems and library facilities helped them learn effectively.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in History and Politics from Greenwich opens up a wide range of career paths because you graduate with the exact skills employers value: critical thinking, strong communication, and the ability to understand complex social and political issues. Many students go on to roles such as Policy Officer, Research Associate, Heritage or Museum Manager, or Public Affairs Consultant. What really helps is that your learning is grounded both in academic study and in real-world experience, giving you the confidence to step into professional environments right after graduation.

To support you on that journey, Greenwich offers a strong network of employability services and opportunities:

You’ll have personalised support from the Employability and Careers Service, including one-to-one guidance, help finding internships, CV and interview preparation, and employer networking events.
Graduate earnings data show that full-time Politics graduates from Greenwich earn around £25,500 after three years, rising to around £32,500 after five years, with some moving into higher salary ranges depending on the sector.
The degree includes a placement option and a four-year sandwich pathway, allowing you to build real workplace experience in political offices, heritage organisations, cultural bodies, or research institutions.
The combination of history and politics gives this degree long-term value, preparing you for roles that require clear analysis, strong writing skills, and the ability to understand how policy and society interact.

Further Academic Progression:

If you decide to continue your studies, you’ll be well prepared for postgraduate pathways such as a Master’s in Public Policy, Master’s in International Relations, Heritage Management, or even research degrees like a PhD in History or Politics. The skills you develop at Greenwich give you a strong foundation for advanced academic work.