Program Overview

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History and International Relations BA

Key Information

Course type: Joint honours Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Required A-level: AAA Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements Duration: Three years Application status: Closed Start date: September 2025 Application deadline: 29 January 2025 Optional study abroad Optional internships

Course Description

Our History & International Relations degree combines teaching from our History and International Relations courses to create an integrated multidisciplinary programme. The research and communication skills of historical study combined with the intellectual and analytical demands of International Relations, create a challenging education pathway to provide an ideal foundation for a wide range of careers. The first year provides a grounding in historical methods and in the theoretical and historical foundations of international studies, offering a truly global introduction to the subject. The second year focusses on the use of history for international analysis, with a wide range of specialist options. In the final year, students select one of the many special subjects and write an associated dissertation in the Department of History, working extensively with primary source materials. They also select from a wide range of option modules in International Relations. You will have the opportunity to study abroad as part of your degree at King’s. Because King’s is part of the University of London, second and final-year students also have the option of taking intercollegiate history modules at other institutions such as UCL and Royal Holloway.

Base Campus

Strand Campus Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Special Features

• Optional study abroad
• Optional internships

Awarding Institutions

King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating Bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

Subject Requirements

Preferred subjects: History A Level (or equivalent) is generally expected, however applications without can be considered where the application clearly demonstrates interest in and engagement with History as an academic subject.

A-Levels

Required grades: AAA Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.

Contextual A-Level Information

ABB Please note that A Level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A Levels.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall or an aggregate score of 18 from three Higher Levels. Notes: The total point score of 36 includes TOK/EE.

Contextual International Baccalaureate Information

33 points overall or an aggregate score of 16 from three Higher Levels. Note: The total point score of 33 includes TOK/EE.

Alternative Accepted Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• BTEC Nationals/CTECs
• Cambridge Pre-U
• European Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

International Applicants

Equivalent International Qualifications

Select a country to view equivalent international qualifications.

English Language Requirements

English language band: B Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test.

Selection Process

Contextual Consideration

We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application.

Deferrals

Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

Foundation Courses

Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme.

Graduates

Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Supervisions

You will have regular and varied contact with staff and other students in lectures, seminars and supervisions. You will also produce an extensive amount of written work and engage in independent study. Most teaching takes place in seminars, which usually have between 15 and 25 participants and are a forum for debate in which students have the opportunity to refine their discussion and presentation skills.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Written/Practical Examinations
• Presentations
• Examinations

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework, presentations, and examinations. Coursework contributes approximately 60% and examinations approximately 40% to your final mark.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.

Required Modules

• History: Historical Skills, Sources & Approaches (30 credits)
• International Relations: International Relations Theory (30 credits), History of the International System (30 credits)

Optional Modules

• History: Medieval Worlds: Connection, Comparison & Transformation (AD) (30 credits), Early Modern Worlds (30 credits), Making the Modern World, (15 credits), Making the Modern World, 1900-present (15 credits)
• International Relations: No optional modules in Year 1.

Employability

Excellent employment prospects. King’s is ranked 6th in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022). The combination of historical breadth with close engagement with contemporary world issues makes this degree an ideal preparation for careers in government, journalism, policy development, the NGO sector, and much more.

Tuition Fees

Full Time Tuition Fees UK

The UK tuition fee for the academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.

Full Time Tuition Fees International

The International tuition fee for the academic year is £27,100 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Printing and binding of two hard copies of the dissertation
• Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.