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If you’ve ever wondered how the events of the past still shape the world we live in today, the BA History & International Relations at King’s College London is the perfect fit. This degree blends two fascinating subjects — giving you the chance to study history in depth while also making sense of modern global politics, diplomacy, and international debates. It’s designed for curious, ambitious students who want to see the bigger picture and prepare for careers where historical insight and political awareness really matter.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 – Building Your Foundations
Your first year is all about setting the stage. You’ll learn how historians actually work — through modules like Historical Skills, Sources & Approaches — and you’ll study World History: Connections & Cultures, which shows you how different societies have interacted across centuries. At the same time, you’ll step into the world of politics with Politics of the International System, where you’ll explore how countries cooperate (or clash) on the global stage.
Year 2 – Exploring Themes and Ideas
In your second year, you’ll start to specialise. International relations comes alive through modules like International Relations Theory and Comparative Politics, helping you understand the frameworks behind today’s political decisions. On the history side, you can dive into periods or regions that interest you most — whether that’s medieval Europe, modern Britain, or global empires. This is the year where you really start connecting past events with today’s international challenges.
Year 3 – Bringing It All Together
Your final year gives you the freedom to focus on what excites you most. The highlight is your dissertation, where you’ll investigate a topic of your choice and become the expert in it. Alongside that, you’ll take advanced options such as Conflict & Diplomacy in the 20th Century or Global Governance and International Organisations. By the end, you’ll not only have a degree — you’ll have the skills to think critically, research independently, and explain complex issues clearly.
Focus Areas
History of societies and cultures, global politics, diplomacy and conflict, political systems, governance, international organisations.
Learning Outcomes
By graduation, you’ll be able to analyse historical evidence with confidence, evaluate international policies, conduct independent research, and communicate your ideas in ways that stand out — whether in essays, presentations, or real-world discussions.
Professional Alignment
This program doesn’t tie you to one accrediting body, but it’s delivered by two world-class departments at King’s — History and War Studies — both respected across the globe. That means you’re learning in an environment trusted by employers, policy-makers, and academics alike, giving your degree real weight wherever you go.
Reputation & Employability
King’s is ranked 4th in the UK for History (QS 2025).
King’s is ranked 7th in the UK for Politics & International Studies (QS 2025).
Studying in the heart of London, you’ll be minutes away from Parliament, international think-tanks, and cultural institutions — so your degree is connected to the real world from day one.
At King’s, studying History and International Relations isn’t just about reading books or listening to lectures—it’s about living and experiencing the subjects first-hand. You’ll learn how to analyse global events through the lens of history while also building the kind of practical skills that employers look for. And because you’re based in the heart of London, you’ll constantly be surrounded by archives, political institutions, and cultural hubs that bring your studies to life.
Here’s how the programme makes learning real and engaging:
Credit-Bearing Internships – Take your skills out into the real world by joining an optional internship, supported directly by King’s. You’ll spend around 120 hours working with an organisation, reflecting on your experience, and earning academic credit along the way.
Study Abroad in Year 2 – Step beyond London and spend a semester at one of King’s global partner universities, such as Peking University, University of Sydney, University of Oslo, or University of Auckland. It’s a chance to see international politics and history from a completely new perspective.
Access to Specialist Archives – From the Foreign & Commonwealth Office historical library to the renowned Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, you’ll get access to rare collections and sources that most students can only dream of.
Cutting-Edge Digital Tools – With 24/7 access to IT clusters, specialist software, and the King’s Global Desktop, you’ll always have the right tools to research, write, and collaborate wherever you are.
Research & Departmental Networks – Be part of vibrant research communities like the Centre for International Relations, where you can explore today’s biggest debates on security, conflict, and diplomacy alongside leading academics.
Career Support Platforms – King’s CareerConnect and digital tools like CareerSet and The Pay Index will guide you through applications, CV building, interview prep, and connect you directly to internships and career opportunities.
Studying History and International Relations at King’s opens doors to exciting careers around the world. Graduates step confidently into roles in government, media, policy, NGOs, and research, with many working in London’s political heart just steps away from campus. Within a year and a half of graduating, most students are either working or combining work with further study, often earning starting salaries in the £30,000+ range. Careers you might find yourself thriving in include:
Policy advisor in government or think tanks
Journalist or foreign correspondent
NGO or international development officer
Research analyst or consultant
And here’s how King’s helps you get there:
Dedicated career support: The King’s Careers & Employability Centre runs one-to-one guidance, workshops, and employer events, plus access to CareerConnect, the university’s exclusive job and internship portal.
Real employability stats: Around 70% of graduates are working, and a further 20% combine work and study within 15 months of graduation—showing how strongly this program prepares you.
Employer links: Over 500 employers—from PwC and McKinsey to the BBC—actively engage with King’s students through campus events and networking.
Part-time work opportunities: Through King’s Talent Bank, you can work on campus while studying, building experience, and earning around £13.92/hour.
Prestige and recognition: King’s ranks 6th in the UK for graduate employability (THE Global Employability Rankings 2022), giving your degree long-term value wherever your career takes you.
Further Academic Progression
If you’re keen to keep studying, you’ll be in an excellent position for postgraduate options. Many students move on to master’s degrees such as International Relations MA, Conflict, Security & Development MA, or other specialised areas at King’s. Others take their academic interests even further with an MPhil or PhD in History or International Relations, leading towards careers in academia, advanced research, or policy leadership.
A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. University do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.36 points overall or an aggregate score of 18 from three Higher Levels.The total point score of 36 includes TOK/EE.Indian High School Leaving Certificate (from CBSE and CISCE boards only) from Standard XII with 85% overall1380 in the SAT (post March 2016) with a minimum of 600 in Maths and 640 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, ACT at 28, 55544 in five APsAll International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee.TOEFL: 100 overall with a minimum of 25 in writing and 23 in each of the other skills. All TOEFL test results must be provided via King’s Apply. IELTS: (Academic) 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skillGraduates of King’s History & International Relations BA pursue careers in governmentdiplomacyNGOsjournalismlawbusinesseducationresearchand international organisations
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Kings College London
