Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Strathclyde offers a BA Joint Honours degree in History and Politics and International Relations. This program allows students to analyze present-day political conditions with the benefit of broader historical context.

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: VL12
• Ranked: 6th for Politics / 9th for History (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
• Flexible degree structure: Focus your studies in areas that interest you
• Second-year entry: May be available to suitably-qualified students

Why This Course?

Studying history develops your knowledge of the past and gives you a better understanding of the present. As a politics student, you'll look at the work of governments and their policies and study the behavior of those who govern - and who they are governing - both at home and abroad.

What You'll Study

Joint study of History and Politics allows you to analyze present-day political conditions with the benefit of broader historical context. You'll study societies and conditions across different periods, and your growing knowledge of political theory and ideology will be invaluable frameworks for analysis.

History

• Year 1: You'll look at the origins and shaping of our modern world by introducing themes including industrialization, empire, political reform, war, and social change.
• Year 2: You'll choose from a range of national history classes, most of which cover a period of a century or more.
• Year 3: If you intend to study at Honours level, you must take the class in Historiography and Research Methods. You also choose further classes from a list that includes: Theory & Practice of Oral History, Slavery in World History, and Scotland & the Americas in the 17th century, and many more.
• Year 4: In your final year, you'll write an Honours dissertation on a topic of your choice and choose from a range of classes.

Politics & International Relations

• Year 1: You'll focus on key skills, concepts, and knowledge necessary to develop an advanced understanding of the fields of politics and international relations.
• Year 2: You'll focus on improving writing and argumentative skills via small group discussions and peer and instructor-led formative feedback. Substantive topics include International Relations & Global Politics, and Political Philosophy.
• Year 3: Opportunities to study abroad in Europe or North America, or continue your studies in Glasgow. You can choose among three main themes:
  • Elections, Parties, and Public Opinion
  • Public Policy
  • International Relations and Security
• Year 4: Complete an Honours dissertation with flexibility over the proposed topic. Placement opportunities with local employers are available, as well as numerous small-sized class options.

Learning & Teaching

• History: As a history student, you'll be expected to attend lectures and seminars and take part in group projects. Bibliographic search sessions in the University Library will also be provided.
• Politics: In Politics Years 1 to 3, lectures and tutorials are the main form of teaching. In methods classes, lab sessions, and practical group work are used. At Honours level, all classes are taught in a small group seminar format.

Assessment

• History: You'll be assessed using methods including group work, projects, presentations, dissertations, document analysis, essays, and exams.
• Politics: The School of Government & Public Policy encourages independent learning by reducing reliance on assessment through formal exams and introducing more flexible forms of class assessment.

Entry Requirements

• Highers:
  • Standard entry requirements: AAAA (1st sitting), AAAAB (2nd sitting)
  • Minimum entry requirements: AABB (1st sitting), AABBB (2nd sitting)
• A Levels: ABB-BBB
• International Baccalaureate: 32-30
• HNC/HND: Social Sciences: AAB in Graded Units may enable second-year entry to History with Politics & International Relations or Psychology with six HNC/HND credits in each of the two subjects
• Irish Leaving Certificate: Two H2 passes and three H3 passes including English

Fees & Funding

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £9,535
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £21,550

Careers

• History: Many History graduates progress to careers in education, social welfare, the Civil Service, and the Scottish Government or in areas such as finance.
• Politics: Politics graduates are employed in the media, management, teaching, sales, and advertising, local government, further and higher education, and social work.