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History and Politics

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Contemporary political ideas and practice are heavily influenced by modern history. For example, the political institutions and culture of contemporary America and France can only be understood with reference to the American and French Revolutions of the late 18th century.

Politics and history are complementary disciplines. Both explore the nature of power across time and offer a critical understanding of the world today. They use many different methods of research and analysis, opening the door to a wide range of exciting careers.

You will use primary and secondary historical sources to research, write and debate history. You'll also learn how to compare and contrast different political institutions, systems and behaviours.

The second year module, 'History and Politics: A Problem or Solution?', is specifically designed for this course. It explores the overlaps and tensions between the two subjects, setting you up for more advanced study in year three. It sits alongside optional modules in both history and politics, covering a wide chronological and geographical range.

Modules

You will take 120 credits of modules each year.

In year one, in politics you will take 60 credits of core modules. You will learn about crises and controversies in post-war and contemporary British politics. You will also take 20 credits of core history modules, giving you an introduction to the skills and methodologies of history as a discipline. You will also take 40 credits of optional history modules from a range.

In year two, you will take the integrated 'History and Politics: a Problem or a Solution?' module. The remainder of your 100 credits will be taken from a mix of optional politics and history modules.

You will choose from two scenarios in your final year, specialising in either history or politics, but while maintaining a mix of both disciplines.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VL12
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VL12
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

AAA
Including A in History. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level. BTEC National Extended Diploma D*DD + A Level History grade A accepted.

Access to HE Diploma

D: 36 credits M: 9 credits
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at level 3 of which 36 credits must be at distinction and 9 credits at Merit. 12 level 3 credits must be from history and achieved at distinction.

Scottish Higher

AAABB
This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades AA including History.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Mixed qualifications accepted if taking A Level History alongside. BTEC Diploma D*D + A in A Level History.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Mixed qualifications accepted if taking A Level History alongside. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ National Extended Certificate D + A Levels AA including grade A in History. "

Scottish Advanced Higher

AA
Including History with grade A and Scottish Highers AAABB including History with grade A.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34 points
(or 666 in 3 Higher Level Certificates) including 6 in Higher Level History

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted alongside A Levels

Extended Project

A
If you have already achieved your EPQ at Grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3, M1, M1
Including History as principal subject at D3.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C ( numeric grade 4)

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

A
If you have already achieved your Core Maths Qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths Qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths Qualification. Core Maths qualifications offered by other exam boards are also considered for an alternative offer.

European Baccalaureate - 85% overall including 8.5 in History,

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1
EU£23000*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
International£23000*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202526/undergraduate.aspx

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