History and Politics

History and politics is one of the most natural joint degrees in the humanities and social sciences, because the two disciplines are so deeply intertwined. History provides the long view, tracing how political institutions, ideologies, and conflicts have developed over time, and insisting that the present can only be properly understood by examining the past. Politics provides the analytical framework for understanding power, governance, democracy, and the processes through which societies make collective decisions.

Together the two disciplines develop a richly contextualised understanding of political life, combining the historian's eye for contingency and change with the political scientist's interest in patterns, institutions, and theory.

At Northumbria University in Newcastle you will study this three-year full-time programme, which includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a placement. The combination of professional and international experience built into the degree gives it a practical dimension that is unusual for a joint humanities and social science programme. The sandwich year provides extended professional experience in a relevant organisation, the year abroad gives you exposure to different political systems and historical traditions, and the placement adds further professional development.

Across the programme you will study historical periods and themes alongside political science content covering electoral systems, political parties, international relations, and public policy. Research methods in both historical and social science traditions are developed throughout. The typical entry tariff is 120 points.

Graduates from history and politics programmes work in the civil service, politics and government, journalism, international affairs, policy research, law, the voluntary sector, and education. The combination of analytical skills, research capabilities, and contextual knowledge is valued across many professional fields. The sandwich year and placement experience strengthen the professional profile considerably.

Further study in politics, history, international relations, or law is a natural route for those seeking to specialise or pursue research and academic careers.