History and Politics and International Relations

History, politics, and international relations together form one of the most powerful combinations available in the social sciences and humanities. History gives you the long view, tracing how states, societies, ideologies, and global structures have developed over time and providing the evidence base from which to understand why the present is as it is. Politics offers the theoretical and analytical frameworks to understand power, governance, and democratic processes.

International relations extends the analysis outward, examining how states, international organisations, and other global actors interact, compete, and cooperate in an increasingly complex world.

At the University of Strathclyde, this four-year full-time degree allows you to develop expertise in all three disciplines in a Scottish institution with a strong commitment to engagement with real-world issues. The history strand covers a wide range of important and intellectually rich periods, including topics such as the Highland Problem in 16th-century Scotland, the history of slavery in global perspective, and Cold War Europe. The politics and international relations strands develop your analytical capabilities and theoretical knowledge of how political systems work and how international affairs unfold.

A year abroad gives you an international academic experience that deepens your perspective on the global themes that run through all three disciplines.

The combination of historical knowledge and contemporary social scientific analysis develops rigorous, evidence-based thinking alongside strong communication and research skills.

Graduates go on to careers in the civil service, diplomacy, international organisations, policy research, journalism, law, and politics. The three-discipline combination is particularly strong for roles in foreign affairs, public policy, and international business. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, history, or law, building specialist expertise for academic or professional careers.