BA (Hons) History and Politics with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

If you’ve ever wondered how the past continues to shape the world we live in, this course will give you the answers — and the tools to make a difference yourself. The BA (Hons) History and Politics at Portsmouth connects major historical events with real political decisions, ideal for students who care about activism, justice, and understanding how societies evolve.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
If you don’t yet meet the entry requirements, the foundation year helps you build confidence and essential study skills. You’ll explore introductory subjects like ICT Skills, Introduction to Politics and International Relations, and Research Methods and Critical Thinking — setting you up for success in the full degree.

Year 1
Your first year focuses on the big ideas that link history and politics. You’ll study modules such as Analysing Politics: Britain and Beyond, Discovering World Histories: Peoples and Places, and Revolutions and Activism: History and Politics. This is where you start connecting key events, systems, and movements that have shaped our modern world.

Year 2
As you progress, you’ll start choosing topics that match your interests. Modules like Changing the World, Security Challenges in the 21st Century, and Transitional Justice and Human Rights explore how governments respond to crises, peacebuilding, and reform. You’ll also have the chance to look at historical themes such as Empire and its Afterlives to understand how the legacies of colonialism still influence global relations today.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll put your learning into practice through an independent research project or dissertation on a topic that excites you. Optional modules such as The Hidden Lives of Things: Material Culture in the Early Modern World, The European Union: A Global Power in the Making?, or NGOs and Social Movements let you tailor your studies to your career goals — whether that’s policy, journalism, heritage, or international work.

Focus Areas:
History and politics from 1750 to the present day; revolutions, social justice, activism, migration, and global change.

Learning Outcomes:
You’ll graduate as a critical thinker with strong research, writing, and analytical skills — able to understand global challenges, build evidence-based arguments, and communicate ideas that inspire change.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The course meets the rigorous standards of the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), ensuring your degree is widely recognised for its academic quality.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Portsmouth has a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), and 94% of graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. It’s also ranked the #1 modern UK university for research quality in Area Studies (REF 2021) — proof that what you learn here is informed by world-class expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Portsmouth, learning history and politics goes far beyond reading books or listening to lectures — it’s about experiencing how the world actually works. From the very beginning, even in your Foundation Year, you’ll build essential academic and communication skills that prepare you for university-level study. You’ll learn how to research, debate, and write with confidence — all while exploring introductory modules in politics, history, and global studies. By the time you progress into the main degree, you’ll already have a strong foundation in critical thinking and academic writing, ready to make the most of every hands-on opportunity ahead.

From field visits and research projects to work placements and international exchanges, you’ll gain practical skills that prepare you for careers in government, journalism, education, heritage, or the non-profit sector. You’ll learn to think critically, debate confidently, and apply your knowledge in real contexts that make a difference.

Here’s how you’ll put your learning into action:

Field trips that bring history to life: Visit places like the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the D-Day Story Museum, and even the UK Houses of Parliament. These trips help you understand political decision-making and historical impact where it really happened.
Model United Nations experience: Step into the shoes of a diplomat and debate world issues in a simulated UN forum. It’s a fun, interactive way to learn negotiation and communication — key skills for any global career.
Professional placement year (optional): You can spend a year working with a museum, charity, government department, or policy organisation. This is real-world experience that strengthens your CV and could even lead to a job offer after graduation.
Research with experts: Learn from academics who are part of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) — a leading institute where you can assist in real research projects and get exposure to current global debates.
World-class learning resources: Portsmouth’s library, digital archives, and online databases give you 24/7 access to historical collections, journals, and media archives — rated highly by students for supporting independent research.
Study abroad or learn a new language: You’ll also have the chance to study at partner universities around the world or add a foreign language to your degree for free, helping you stand out as a globally minded graduate.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA (Hons) History and Politics (with Foundation Year) at Portsmouth is designed to give you the time, confidence, and academic grounding you need to succeed — whether you’re starting your studies after a break, changing direction, or need extra preparation for university-level work. The foundation year acts as a powerful springboard: you’ll develop essential research, communication, and study skills that not only help you transition smoothly into the main degree but also strengthen your employability from day one.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to shape change in policy, education, heritage, or communications. Typical roles include policy advisor, museum curator, political researcher, or communications officer.

Here’s how Portsmouth helps you turn your degree into a career:

A strong foundation for success: The foundation year gives you practical academic experience — learning how to research, present, and debate — so when you enter Year 1, you already have the confidence and skillset employers value.
Career support that continues after graduation: Portsmouth’s Careers and Employability Service offers one-to-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, and job-matching opportunities — available during your studies and for five years after you graduate.
Outstanding graduate outcomes: About 94% of Portsmouth graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, and Politics/History graduates typically earn £26,000–£32,000, with an average starting salary of around £30,000.
Professional placements: Through the University’s Connected Degree model, you can take a placement year in government offices, museums, NGOs, or even the House of Commons, applying your learning in real-world environments.
Respected qualification: With a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and recognition for research quality, your degree carries strong long-term value — trusted by employers and universities worldwide.
Flexible career pathways: Alumni move into careers in journalism, law, diplomacy, public administration, heritage management, and education — using their analytical and critical-thinking skills to make an impact in diverse sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you can advance into postgraduate study, such as an MA in International Relations, an MA in History, or a Master of Public Policy (MPP). The degree also provides a solid platform for teacher training, law conversion, or heritage management programs, depending on your chosen path.