BA Politics and Modern History

On this degree, you don’t just study ideas in the classroom—you’ll actively apply them through projects, debate, and independent research. From your first year, you’ll be encouraged to think like a historian and political analyst: gathering evidence, making arguments, and presenting them with confidence. You’ll also benefit from Manchester’s outstanding resources, including Europe’s largest university library and archives, giving you first-hand access to rare documents that bring history and politics to life.

Alongside lectures and seminars, you’ll take part in activities that sharpen your practical skills and expand your horizons:

• Special Collections & John Rylands Library – work directly with historic manuscripts, political pamphlets, and original sources that few students elsewhere can access.

• Research-led teaching – join group projects and dissertation work guided by leading scholars in both politics and modern history.

• Placement & Study Abroad options – choose to spend a semester or year abroad at one of Manchester’s partner universities, or take a professional placement to gain work experience in areas like policy, media, or heritage.

• Digital tools & archives – use cutting-edge databases and software for historical and political analysis, building research skills employers value.

• Debate & student societies – get involved in the Politics Society, History Society, and Model UN, where you’ll practice negotiation, public speaking, and teamwork.

• Manchester Museum & Whitworth Gallery – explore on-campus cultural institutions that support your understanding of history, heritage, and public engagement.

• Careers Service & Stellify Award – access one of the UK’s best university careers services and take part in leadership, volunteering, and global citizenship activities to enhance your CV.

Graduates of Politics and Modern History at Manchester are highly sought after because they leave with sharp analytical skills, confidence in public speaking, and the ability to handle complex ideas. Alumni have gone on to exciting roles such as policy advisor, civil servant, journalist, or museum and heritage professional.

Where this degree can take you:

• Tailored career support – You’ll benefit from Manchester’s award-winning Careers Service, which offers one-to-one guidance, employer networking events, CV workshops, and access to exclusive internship programmes. Humanities students also enjoy “Meet the History Grads” events, where you connect directly with alumni working in a wide range of sectors.

• Strong employability reputation – Manchester is ranked as the second most targeted university in the UK by top graduate employers (High Fliers 2024).

• Employer connections – The School has strong links with organisations such as the BBC, Deloitte, Accenture, Barclays, and many more, helping students gain valuable work experience and contacts.

• Prestige that lasts – You’ll graduate from a university consistently ranked among the top for both History and Politics, giving your degree long-term recognition and global value.

• Graduate destinations – Many alumni pursue careers in teaching, heritage and museums, media, marketing and PR, the Civil Service, law, finance, NGOs, and policy research. Others progress to postgraduate study to specialise further.