Course information
Typical offer ABB-BBB
UK fee £9,250
UCAS code VL12
International fee £19,700
Institute code L34
Taught by History
Course description
Course description
At Leicester, you will explore global developments through the complementary disciplines of history and politics. The balanced combination of history and politics enables you to develop advanced understandings of the contemporary world and the historical roots of its ideas and problems, as well as its social, economic and political structures.
A high degree of flexibility is built into this course from the first year onwards to allow you to build your degree around your own areas of interest.
Our History and Politics degree offers a large choice of subjects, from the fifth century to the contemporary world and from all parts of the world: Britain, Ireland and Europe; Eastern Europe and Russia; China, Japan and India; North America, Latin America and the Caribbean; parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Alongside political, cultural, intellectual, social, economic and international approaches to history, you will also study the most important and interesting issues in national and international politics, from poverty, debt and terrorism to ethnic conflict and environmental change.
Leicester has an outstanding and international reputation for teaching and research. Our research feeds directly into our teaching, creating a vibrant and exciting learning atmosphere and allowing you to benefit from the most recent thinking.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: ABB-BBB at A-Level. We prefer A-Level History, though this is not essential. Two AS-Levels considered in place of one A-Level. General Studies is accepted
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB-BBC at A-Level + EPQ at grade B. We prefer A-Level History, though this is not essential
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant Diploma with 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at distinction
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points including 6 in one Higher Level subject
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with D*DD
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for the International Foundation Year – Society and Culture run by the Global Study Centre. The GSC provides academic support to help you progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester.
Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of History.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2024
- £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
- Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,385 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2024
- £19,700 per year
- Year Abroad: £4,925, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
We offer several practical or placement modules so that you can gain hands-on experience in your chosen career path. For instance, our 'History in the Classroom' module includes practical teaching experience by incorporating a placement in a local school and our 'Heritage Field Project' will give you hands on experience working in the heritage industry, offering you invaluable experience for the future.
The final year 'Parliamentary Studies' module is approved and co-taught by staff at the Houses of Parliament. You will have an opportunity to visit Parliament as part of this module.
We routinely develop paid internship opportunities for our students to gain additional, relevant work experience during their degrees. Roles such as research assistance, conference organiser, and editorial assistant have been offered in recent years.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our History degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:
- Department of Education
- Troubadour Publishing
- British Standards Institution
- Nissan
Alex transferred to the University of Leicester in his second year, impressed by the range of academic modules available which meant he could study the area that he was interested in.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 14: Life below water
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
The first year introduces you to major developments in medieval, early modern and modern history, European and global politics, and political ideas. You will also have the opportunity to choose modules exploring the histories and politics of different parts of the world.
Core modules
- Medieval and Early Modern Europe: People, Power, Faith, and Culture
- The Shock of the Modern
- Politics, Power and Ethics (double module)
- Comparative European Politics
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose two option modules from:
- Global History: Connections and Cultures in a Changing World, 1750 to the present
- Great Britain: The State We're In
- Europe 1861-1991: Emancipation and Subjugation
- US History since 1776
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2 (History dissertation)
Year 2 (History dissertation)
Core modules will deepen your understanding of the disciplines of history and politics, enhancing your skills in critical thinking, independent research, and intellectual creativity. You’ll put these advanced skills into practice and shape your degree around your own interests in choosing the rest of your second year programme from a wide range of history, politics and international relations options.
If you plan to take the History History dissertation in your Final Year, you should take these modules:
Core modules
Option modules
You will then choose five option modules. You can choose:
- Either one History module from List 1 plus two Politics modules from List 2 plus two Politics modules from List 4.
- Or three Politics modules from List 2 plus one History module from List 3 plus one Politics module from List 4.
List 1: History modules
- Gender History
- Jack-the-Ripper: Crime, Popular Culture and Policing in Victorian Times
- A World Connected: Economy, Wellbeing and Sustainability since 1945
- From Beer to Fraternity: Alcohol, Society, and Culture in North America
- Living with Dictatorship: European Societies, 1918-1941
- Fight the Power! Race, Rights and Protest in the USA, 1865-2008
List 2: Politics modules
List 3: History modules
- The Latin World: Ancient, Medieval and Modern
- Class Struggle and the Industrial Revolution
- Histories of Violence
- Madness, Monarchy and Politics in Georgian Britain
- Domestic Revolutions: Women, Men, and the Family in American History
- Enter the Dragon: Modern Chinese History, 1839-1989
- History in the Classroom
- Heritage Field Project
List 4: Politics modules
- European Union Politics
- Contemporary Political Philosophy: Theories of Justice
- The Making of Contemporary US Foreign Policy
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2 (Politics dissertation)
Year 2 (Politics dissertation)
Core modules will deepen your understanding of the disciplines of history and politics, enhancing your skills in critical thinking, independent research, and intellectual creativity. You';ll put these advanced skills into practice and shape your degree around your own interests in choosing the rest of your second year programme from a wide range of history, politics and international relations options.
If you plan to take the Politics Dissertation in your Final Year, you should take these modules:
Core modules
- Perceiving the Past
- Political Analysis 1: Understanding Political Science Research
- Political Analysis 2: Preparing for your Dissertation
Option modules
You will then choose five option modules:
List 1: History modules
- Gender History
- Jack-the-Ripper: Crime, Popular Culture and Policing in Victorian Times
- A World Connected: Economy, Wellbeing and Sustainability since 1945
- From Beer to Fraternity: Alcohol, Society, and Culture in North America
- Living with Dictatorship: European Societies, 1918-1941
- Fight the Power! Race, Rights and Protest in the USA, 1865-2008
List 2: Politics modules
List 3: History modules
- The Latin World: Ancient, Medieval and Modern
- Class Struggle and the Industrial Revolution
- Histories of Violence
- Madness, Monarchy and Politics in Georgian Britain
- Domestic Revolutions: Women, Men, and the Family in American History
- Enter the Dragon: Modern Chinese History, 1839-1989
- History in the Classroom
- Heritage Field Project
List 4: Politics modules
- European Union Politics
- Contemporary Political Philosophy: Theories of Justice
- The Making of Contemporary US Foreign Policy
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year Abroad (optional)
Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Final Year (History dissertation)
Final Year (History dissertation)
Your final year is shaped entirely by your preferred areas of interest and specialisation. You will research and write an original dissertation – an independent research project of your own design – with the support of an expert supervisor. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the cutting-edge research expertise of your tutors.
Core modules
Option modules
You will choose five option modules:
List 1 (History modules)
- Church, State and Belief in Soviet Russia, 1941-1991
- The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
- A Sea of Conflict? Christian Muslim Encounters c.1100-c.1300
- The Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1968
- The Golden Age of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria
- Gender, Crime and Deviance in Eighteenth Century Britain
- Abolitionists: Antislavery Activism in Britain and America, 1787-1865
- Disasporas and Migrations in the Modern World
- Making Nazis: Propaganda and Persuasion In The Third Reich, 1933-1945
- The Imperial Economy: Britain and the Wider World, 1815-1914
- The USA and the Vietnam War
- Crime and Punishment in African American History
List 2 (Politics modules)
- Feminism
- The American Presidency
- The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
- Parliamentary Studies
- The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy
- International Migration in the Age of Securitisation
- The Political Theory of Disobedience and Protests
- Race, Caste and Political Theory
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Final Year (Politics dissertation)
Final Year (Politics dissertation)
Your final year is shaped entirely by your preferred areas of interest and specialisation. You will research and write an original dissertation – an independent research project of your own design – with the support of an expert supervisor. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the cutting-edge research expertise of your tutors.
Core module
Option modules
You will choose five option modules:
List 1 (History modules)
- Church, State and Belief in Soviet Russia, 1941-1991
- The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
- A Sea of Conflict? Christian Muslim Encounters c.1100-c.1300
- The Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1968
- The Golden Age of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria
- Gender, Crime and Deviance in Eighteenth Century Britain
- Abolitionists: Antislavery Activism in Britain and America, 1787-1865
- Disasporas and Migrations in the Modern World
- Making Nazis: Propaganda and Persuasion In The Third Reich, 1933-1945
- The Imperial Economy: Britain and the Wider World, 1815-1914
- The USA and the Vietnam War
- Crime and Punishment in African American History
List 2 (Politics modules)
- Feminism
- The American Presidency
- The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
- Parliamentary Studies
- The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy
- International Migration in the Age of Securitisation
- The Political Theory of Disobedience and Protests
- Race, Caste and Political Theory
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
The David Wilson Library contains fascinating 'special collection' archives of old books and manuscripts, offering a direct connection with the past.
We have well-respected research centres covering Medieval History, Urban History, Local History and Genocide and Holocaust Studies.
Guest speakers who have visited the University to discuss their lives in politics including MPS, members of the House of Lords, MEPs, members of the US Congress, officials working in UK and EU institutions, diplomats and senior personnel from the armed forces.
Reading list
See the types of texts you might read, over the summer, to get a feel for the course and arrive prepared and ready to go.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught by a variety of methods, ranging from large lectures to seminars to individual tutorials. Lectures are used to provide historical narrative and to raise key historical questions and areas of political debate. Seminars are where you share your opinion about those debates and put forward your interpretation of historical and political issues. In your first year you will normally have around ten contact hours per week, with more emphasis being placed on small group teaching and independent study as you progress through your degree.
Assessment is through exams and coursework (both long and short essays), source analyses, group projects and presentations. Approximately two thirds of your final degree mark will be based on your coursework; one third on your exams.
You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they be academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Data about this course
The wide variety of module choices has allowed me to develop my interest in specific areas of history, including urban history.