Politics, Philosophy and History BA (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Birkbeck University of London

Program Overview

This degree in Politics, Philosophy and History at Birkbeck is perfect if you are fascinated by big questions about power, ideas and events, and you want to study how they all connect in the real world. You will follow an integrated pathway across all three subjects, exploring everything from global politics and ethics to artificial intelligence, modern conflicts and the history of ideas, while choosing options that match your interests and career goals.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In the first year, you build a solid foundation in all three disciplines so that you feel confident with university-level study. Through core modules such as Approaching the Past, Comparative Government and Knowledge and Reality, you learn how historians handle evidence, how political systems work in practice, and how philosophers explore questions about what is real and what we can truly know. You may also take modules such as Introduction to Global Politics, Logic (Level 4) or The Modern World, which help you connect historical turning points with present-day global challenges.

Year 2
In Year Two, you start to specialise and think in a more critical and analytical way. A core module such as Governing by Numbers (Level 5) shows you how data and statistics influence political decisions and public policy, while options like Contemporary British Politics, Digital Politics, International Relations and Foreign Policy or Introduction to International Political Economy help you understand how states, markets and institutions interact. At the same time, you can deepen your interests in philosophy and history through modules such as Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence: Minds, Machines and Meaning, Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science, The Cold War: A Global History, or The Ethics of Life and Death: Humans, Animals and the Environment.

Year 3
In the final year, you move into advanced topics and independent work that really lets you put your stamp on the degree. You can choose higher-level options such as Parliamentary Studies, Politics and the Middle East, Social and Political Theory, Ethical Traditions, Mind, Body, Self from Antiquity to the Present, The Colonial Gaze: Western Perceptions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, 1600–1960, or Women in Philosophy, tailoring your choices to the themes you care about most. Many students also choose to complete a major independent project through modules such as Writing the Past: Dissertation or the BA Politics, Philosophy and History Dissertation, where you work closely with an academic supervisor on a research topic that genuinely interests you.

Focus areas (in a string):
Comparative politics, political theory, modern and global history, history of ideas, ethics and moral philosophy, digital politics and artificial intelligence, and research methods in politics and history.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
You will learn to analyse political systems and historical change, build clear and well-evidenced arguments, assess complex ethical questions, carry out independent research using different methods, and communicate your ideas confidently in writing and presentations.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This is an academic degree rather than a professionally accredited course, but it is awarded by the University of London and is taught in departments that are recognised for their research strengths in politics, philosophy and history. Throughout your studies you also have access to Birkbeck’s Careers and Enterprise services, which support progression into careers in government, policy, non-profit organisations, museums and heritage, media and journalism, and many other fields.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Birkbeck is widely recognised for the quality of its teaching and research in the humanities and social sciences, and History at Birkbeck was ranked among the top eight in the United Kingdom in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (Research Excellence Framework). This research strength feeds directly into your teaching, helping you to graduate with a strong academic profile and highly transferable analytical and communication skills that employers value.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Birkbeck, learning goes beyond lectures. This degree is designed to help you experience the connections between politics, philosophy and history in real-world contexts. From your first week, you will engage in lively discussions, work collaboratively in seminars, and explore how ideas and power shape societies today. The programme’s evening teaching model also gives you the freedom to apply what you learn through internships, volunteering, or part-time work during the day — gaining professional experience alongside your studies.

You’ll benefit from Birkbeck’s vibrant Bloomsbury campus, personalised support, and digital tools that make your learning practical and hands-on:

Interactive seminars and small-group teaching: Every class encourages open debate, teamwork, and presentation skills, helping you build confidence in expressing complex ideas clearly.
Digital platform – Moodle: All your modules are hosted on Moodle, where you can access readings, submit assignments, and join online discussions with classmates and tutors.
Research and library resources: You’ll have access to one of the best academic libraries in London, with databases, journals, and digital archives for developing strong research and analytical skills.
Evening study flexibility: With classes typically between 6:00–9:00 p.m., you can take up internships, voluntary roles, or community projects during the day, applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
Personal tutor and academic skills workshops: A dedicated tutor supports your academic growth and wellbeing, while writing and research workshops help you strengthen essay and dissertation skills.
Research-based modules: Courses like Doing Political and Social Research and the final-year Dissertation guide you through every step of designing and conducting your own research project.
Location advantage: Being in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury means you’re surrounded by political institutions, museums, think tanks and cultural hubs — ideal for extending your learning beyond campus.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BA Politics, Philosophy and History from Birkbeck sets you up for careers where you analyse issues, influence decisions and communicate clearly with different audiences. Many graduates go into roles in government, public policy, charities, education and the media – typical paths include working as a civil service officer, policy or research officer, charity/project officer or journalist. Because the degree is interdisciplinary and rooted in real-world questions, employers see it as strong preparation for analytical, writing and people-focused roles:

Targeted careers support: Birkbeck’s Careers and Enterprise team and Birkbeck Futures service offer one-to-one guidance, CV and application workshops, career events and employer networking, helping you move from degree to graduate job with a clear plan.
Work experience and networking in London: Studying in the evening means you can build up part-time work, internships or volunteering during the day; the careers team regularly advertises roles and internships tailored to Birkbeck students across London.
Strong graduate outcomes: A high proportion of Birkbeck graduates are in work and or further study within 15 months of finishing, and those in employment are often in professional or managerial roles with competitive salaries.
Respected University of London degree: Your qualification is awarded by the University of London and sits within a school with a strong reputation in politics, philosophy and history, backed by excellent research performance in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Transferable skills for many sectors: Throughout the course you practise critical analysis, structured argument, independent research and clear written and spoken communication – skills that are directly relevant to careers in the civil service, NGOs, think tanks, cultural and heritage organisations, education, media and beyond.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you can take your studies further with Master’s programmes in areas such as Politics, International Relations, Public Policy, History, Philosophy or related social sciences at Birkbeck or other leading universities, and some graduates go on to MPhil or PhD research, preparing for careers in academia, policy research or specialist advisory roles