University of Reading United Kingdom

BA History and Politics

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a compelling academic journey with the BA History and Politics degree at the University of Reading, designed for those eager to understand the forces that shape societies and drive political change. You will explore historical events and political ideas from diverse global perspectives, delving into topics such as the politics of climate change, the evolution of democracy, and the complexities of warfare across different eras. This programme is ideal for students who wish to develop critical analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of the past to better interpret the present and future challenges we face.

This full-time, on-campus undergraduate degree is studied over three years, offering a rich blend of compulsory and optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies. You will engage with historical methodologies, political theories, and contemporary political issues through lectures, seminars, and independent research. Throughout your degree, you will have opportunities for practical application, including optional modules that can lead to work placements or dissertations, preparing you for diverse career paths in public service, research, journalism, or the heritage sector.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program in History and Politics offers a comprehensive exploration of historical events and political theories. Students will engage with diverse topics ranging from the foundations of democracy and political ideas to specific historical periods and social movements. The curriculum culminates in independent research, allowing students to delve deeply into areas of interest within both history and politics.

1 YEAR 1

Perspectives in History
Making History and You: Practices and Possibilities
Politics of Climate Change
Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
Introduction to Political Ideas

2 YEAR 2

The Study of Politics

3 YEAR 3

Dissertation in History
Dissertation in Politics
Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84
Becoming a Revolutionary: the Old Regime and the French Revolution, 1787-1794
Eugenics from 1865 to the Present Day
Heretics and Popes: Heresy and Persecution in the Medieval World
Slavery in America
History Education
Discovering Archives and Collections
Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze
'Battleaxes and Benchwarmers': Early female MPs 1919-1931
Axis at War: Life and Death in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, 1936-45
Politics and Popular Culture: Post-Arab Spring Egypt
From Darwin to Death Camps? Evolution and eugenics in European society, 1859-1945
Ireland and the English in the Middle Ages
The United States and the Cold War
Modern Science and Empires, 1750-2000
The Romantic Revolution: Culture, Environment and Society in England, c.1790-c.1900
Sexual Politics: Gender, Sex, and Feminism in Britain after 1918
Utopia: The Quest for a Perfect World
Poor Law to Hostile Environment: Repatriation, Deportation and Exclusion from Britain 1800-2016
The American Civil War
Gender in Africa: From Eighteenth Century ‘Amazons’ to Twentieth Century Child Soldiers
Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750
US Foreign Policy
International Terrorism
British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
War, Peace and International Ethics
Karl Marx
Risk
Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
The Politics of Nuclear Weapons
International Political Economy
Feminism and Political Theory
Democracy, Division and Disagreement

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 104,824.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,126.00 - USD 18,832.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on WhiteKnights Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Advertising Finance & OperationsArchitecture & Urban PlanningClient Services & Account ManagementCommercial & Industrial ConstructionCrop Production & FarmingEvent & Experiential MarketingFisheries & AquacultureGovernment & Regulatory AgenciesResidential ConstructionSocial Media & Community Management

Top Employers Hiring for this course

European commission

FAO

Kings College London

Manchester City Council

Why Study BA History and Politics at University of Reading

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Reading in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA History and Politics at University of Reading

Can I work while studying?

As an international student in a degree course, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is necessary.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet English language requirements, you can take tests like Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, with varying score thresholds. For instance, a Duolingo overall score of 135 is required.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates may pursue careers as historians, political analysts, policy advisors, or educators.

What will I actually study in this course?

Discover a thousand years of history while experiencing all the specialist areas on offer at the University of Reading. The Department of History's expertise covers a wide and diverse range of regions, from Europe and Africa to America, South Asia and the Middle East.

In your first year, your core modules will explore people, politics and revolution – finding out how people struggled for power in past societies – and the culture and concepts those societies developed. We will teach you

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA History and Politics course has an intake month in September. Make sure to prepare your application and documents accordingly before this date.
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