
International Relations and History BA
3-4 years
Course information
Typical offer BBB
UK fee £9,535
UCAS code LV21
International fee £19,700
Institute code L34
Taught by Politics and International Relations

Top 10 in the UK for History (The Times Good University Guide 2025)

Top 30 in the UK for Politics (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

Ranked 13th in subjects aligned to History for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).
- Course description
- Entry requirements
- Fees and funding
- Careers and employability
- Related courses
- Sustainable Development Goals
- What our students say
Course description
Course description
International relations are the product of historical change which means that in order to understand one, you must consider the other. With our International Relations and History BA you will explore the ways in which these two fascinating topics are linked.
You will be able to study the most vital issues affecting the modern world and understand their historical backgrounds - from the world's foremost powers (the United States, the EU, Russia and China) to smaller nations that are impacted by their behaviour.
You will be able to examine the workings and the health of the political system in Britain and other states. You will also explore some of the most important and interesting issues in national and international politics: Who holds power and why? Is there a crisis of political participation? What are the appropriate limits to individual liberty? Is globalisation a positive process?
Flexibility of modules in your second and third years will allow you to delve deeper into the areas of history and international relations that fascinate you the most. Our lecturers have in-depth knowledge across diverse interests, so whichever areas you study, you will receive knowledgeable support and insightful guidance.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers and employability
Related courses
Sustainable Development Goals
What our students say
Course structure
- Year 1
- Year 2 (History pathway)
- Year 2 (International Relations pathway)
- Year Abroad or Year in Industry (optional)
- Year 3
Year 1
Year 1
Core modules
- Making History
- The Shock of the Modern
- Key Concepts in International Relations (double module)
- Order and Disorder: International Relations from 1989 to the Present
- Global History: Connections and Cultures in a Changing World, 1750 to the present
- Modern Britain: c1700-Present
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
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 pathway)
Year 2 (International Relations pathway)
Year Abroad or Year in Industry (optional)
Year 3
Why Leicester?
We have well-respected research centres covering Medieval History, Urban History, Local History and Genocide and Holocaust Studies.
The academic staff in the department have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
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.
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 debate. Seminars are where you share your opinion about those debates and put forward your interpretation of the history. 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.
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.
You will be assessed through a variety of methods including written examination, assessed essay, reports, briefing papers and presentations.
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.
Apply now
Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course International Relations and History | Qualification BA | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code LV21 | Availability How to apply |
Course International Relations and History with Year Abroad | Qualification BA | Duration 4 year full-time | UCAS Code LV21 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course

The course challenges your beliefs, forces you to think critically, and makes you more open-minded.