History and Politics

History and politics together form one of the most searching combinations available in the humanities and social sciences, providing complementary frameworks for understanding how the contemporary world came to be and how it functions. History provides the evidence and the analytical habits needed to understand the past on its own terms; politics provides the concepts and methods needed to understand how power is organised, legitimated and contested in the present. Together, they develop your ability to understand political events and institutions in their historical context and to trace the historical roots of contemporary political arrangements.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands, this part-time programme allows you to pursue this combination at a pace suited to your circumstances, working through the material alongside employment or other commitments.

You will study historical periods and themes, developing skills in working with primary sources, evaluating secondary interpretations and constructing historical arguments. The politics strand covers political theory, comparative politics, international relations and the analysis of political institutions and processes. The part-time mode at the Highlands and Islands means you can combine study days with other commitments, working through modules in a sequence that reflects your availability and priorities.

The programme is taught in ways that make a Scotland-based institution's particular historical and political context a resource rather than a limitation, with the history of Scotland and the UK's place in international politics featuring alongside broader historical and comparative content.

Graduates from history and politics degrees enter careers across a wide spectrum: the civil service, journalism, education, think-tanks, political organisations, NGOs, international bodies, law and financial services all value the analytical, research and communication skills the combination develops. Many graduates proceed to postgraduate study in history, international relations, politics or law, and the combination is a recognised pathway for those considering careers in public policy or diplomatic service.