History and Politics BA
This degree combination equips you with the skills to flourish as both a historian and a political analyst, enabling you to develop your knowledge of critical historical events and themes. You’ll develop expertise at working with historical sources and think about how we study the past, applying this to the exciting and expansive range of periods.
-
A Levels
AAB -
UCAS code
VL12 -
Duration
3 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad
- Dual honours
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
The Guardian University Guide 2025.
In your final year, explore the details of your favourite area of history in small seminar groups and with a true expert on the topic, and become a specialist in your chosen area.
You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad, undertake a placement year or take part in a whole host of other global and work experiences.
Explore social and political events of the past in order to understand the world we live in today - and anticipate the issues of tomorrow.
In order to better understand the current social and political climate, we must look back on events and historical actors that have shaped how people and states interact.
Study past societies from 1000 BCE to the 21st century, exploring political, social, economic and cultural themes from around the globe – laying the historical context necessary for you to engage with the politics of the UK, EU and across the globe.
Using case studies and exploring political theories, you’ll develop and demonstrate your views and explain what can be done to address some of the big issues affecting society today – from food poverty to climate change to free speech.
Over three years, you’ll gain a host of transferable skills and knowledge that suit a huge range of careers – from local, national, and international government, to the charitable sector and the media.
Dual and combined honours degrees
Modules
UCAS code: VL12
Years: 2026
Core modules:
- History Workshop
- Thinking Historically
- Political Analysis 1: An Introduction to Research and Scholarship
- Thinking Politically: Key Concepts
History optional modules:
- The ‘Disenchantment’ of Early Modern Europe c. 1570-c.1770
- Beyond Borders? A Deep History of the Connected World
- The Long View - an Introduction to Archaeology
Politics optional modules:
- World Politics
- Global Political Economy
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your foundational knowledge of historical and political concepts, looking in depth at materials and further developing your skills.
Core modules:
- Parchment to Pixels: Interrogating Historical Evidence
- History and the Public
- Political Analysis 2: How to Do Empirical Research
- Political Theory in Practice
You’ll also have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of history and politics through a range of optional modules, which could include areas such as Contemporary Crises in Historical Perspective, From Democracy to Dictatorship: The 1973 Coup in Chile, Murder in the Cathedral: The Becket Affair, The Irish Republican Brotherhood, 1858–85, The Putney Debates, October 1647, Approaches to World Politics, Autocracies and Democracies, Chinese Politics, Migration and World Politics, and Oppression and Resistance.
In your third year, as well as working on a short dissertation and a research project, you’ll continue to advance your knowledge in specific areas of History and Politics.
Core modules:
- Short dissertation
- Research project
You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct further study of a specialist area of your choice through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as The World of Intoxicants in Early Modern England, Cannibals and Christians: Mexico and Spain c.1492-1600, The Wars for Vietnam: Empire, Decolonisation and Liberation, Resistance & Liberation in South Africa, Italy in the Age of Dante, and The League of Nations and the End of Empire, 1919-46. You can also explore political themes through modules like The Ethics of Political Leadership, Understanding Elections and Global Culture Wars.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a mix of interactive lectures and lively discussion-based seminars.
Research is central to the student experience here at Sheffield and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings.
In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to take our History Special Subject module, which allows you to spend a year specialising in a historical topic that really interests you.
Our internationally renowned history tutors offer modules spanning four thousand years and criss-crossing continents – allowing you to explore great events, extraordinary documents, remarkable people, and long-lasting transformations, from the ancient period to the modern day and across the globe.
Our politics tutors have great connections with policymakers and practitioners from various sectors. We often invite these external speakers into seminars to share their own experiences or insight on topics that you will be learning about in your modules.
Our political expertise spans many key areas of politics and international relations, such as:
- Brexit
- gender politics
- animal rights
- environmentalism
- populism
- Middle East Politics.
This research directly shapes and inspires what you're taught on all levels of our programmes.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods. As well as traditional essays and exams, our degrees include innovative assessments where you’ll write seminar diaries and reflective work, give presentations and design online historical artefacts in mediums such as blogs, podcasts or websites.
This broadens your experience and the wide range of transferable skills you’ll develop during your degree.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB + B in Core Maths
- International Baccalaureate
- 34; 33, with B in a history-based extended essay
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + A at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AA
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction, and 9 at Merit
-
GCSE Maths grade 4/C
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB + B in Core Maths
- International Baccalaureate
- 33
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + B at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AB
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction, and 15 at Merit
-
GCSE Maths grade 4/C
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
Our history graduates are highly skilled in research, critical reasoning and communication. You'll be able to think and write coherently, to put specific matters in a broader context, and to summarise complex ideas in a discerning and creative way.
Our graduates have gone on to become successful lawyers, marketing executives, civil servants, accountants, management consultants, university lecturers, archivists, librarians and workers in museums, tourism and the heritage industry.
The combination of academic excellence and personal skills developed and demonstrated in your history degree will make you stand out in an increasingly competitive graduate world.
Companies that have employed our graduates include Accenture, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and DLA Piper. You'll also find our graduates in organisations ranging from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the Imperial War Museum and the National Archives, to BBC Online and The Guardian.
School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations
A politics degree from Sheffield can set you apart from everyone else. You'll have many opportunities across all levels of your course to add valuable work experience and transferable skills to your CV.
Our degree programmes are designed so you can tailor your course to your own interests and career aspirations. They also provide a foundation to go on to work in a wide range of professional, political and administrative organisations across the world, in local, national, and international government, the charitable sector, education, the media, public relations, research and the private sector.
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
In the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, we interrogate some of the most significant and pressing aspects of human life, offering new perspectives and tackling globally significant issues.
As a history student at Sheffield, you'll develop your understanding of the past in a friendly and supportive environment.
Our internationally-renowned tutors offer modules spanning four thousand years and criss-crossing continents - allowing you to explore great events, extraordinary documents, remarkable people, and long-lasting transformations, from the ancient period to the modern day and across the globe.
You can tailor your course to suit you, discovering the areas of history that most inspire you most while preparing for the future you want with opportunities like studying abroad, work placements and volunteering.
History students are based in the Jessop West building at the heart of the university campus, close to the Diamond and the Information Commons. We share our building with fellow Arts & Humanities scholars of English, East Asian Studies and Languages & Cultures.
Facilities
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations
Guardian University Guide 2025
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
UK undergraduates, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-22
QS World University rankings by subject, 2025
Research Excellence Framework 2021
We’re proud to be one of the UK’s top providers for research and teaching. Our academics are recognised internationally for their expertise, contributing to national and international policy and working alongside organisations around the world to address society’s major challenges.
Each brings cutting-edge research into your studies and uses their professional expertise to support your learning and development.
During your time with us, you will
- tackle contemporary challenges - all our courses are designed to engage with and discuss the most pressing challenges, with our research-active staff bringing in their expertise to your learning
- develop your own expertise - we offer a range of optional modules so you can tailor your degree to your own interests
- receive comprehensive support - with a wide range of support available, including academic tutors and dedicated support services, you will be supported throughout your time with us and beyond
- engage with diverse and interactive teaching - a mix of teaching formats ensures you will learn in new and innovative ways throughout your course
- be career confident - develop key skills for the world of work and gain professional experience with placements, internships and other employability opportunities
Our staff are based in The Wave, the home of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and across the road in Elmfield. The Wave offers the newest lecture theatres on campus, plenty of collaborative and private study spaces, and a cafe.
Elmfield features state-of-the-art seminar rooms and a communal student room to study and socialise. Teaching may take place across both buildings, as well as other buildings on campus which are only a short walk away.
School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations
University rankings
( A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)
National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Student profiles
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Placements and study abroad
Placements
There are also other opportunities to get work experience, with hands-on projects integrated into several of our academic modules. Alternatively, you can undertake a placement with a heritage or culture organisation, or join our student-led volunteering organisation History in the City and take part in activities that bring history to new audiences within the local community. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Study abroad
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Events for mature students
Mature students can apply directly to our courses. We also offer degrees with a foundation year for mature students who are returning to education. We'd love to meet you at one of our events, open days, taster workshops or other events.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.