History and Politics

History and politics are disciplines with a natural and productive relationship. History provides the long view: an understanding of how political institutions, ideologies, conflicts and social movements have developed over time and how the choices made in the past have shaped the world as we find it. Politics brings the analytical frameworks for understanding how power is exercised and contested in the present, how states are organised, how international relations function, and how political change comes about.

Studying them together gives you both temporal depth and analytical precision.

At the University of Portsmouth this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and embedded work placement opportunities, giving a joint humanities degree a notably strong connection to professional and international experience. Portsmouth's description of the course captures its purpose well: you will retrace the political and social conflicts, revolutions and protest movements of the past in order to make sense of the present and think about how positive change is created. You will study a wide range of historical periods and geographical contexts, developing the research, source analysis and critical writing skills that historical study demands, alongside the political theory, comparative politics and international relations that make up the politics curriculum.

The combination develops the ability to think across timeframes, to understand change and continuity, and to analyse political situations with both theoretical rigour and historical depth. These are capacities that serve you well in any role that requires strategic thinking and contextual understanding.

Graduates move into the civil service, local government, political parties, think tanks, journalism, policy research, NGOs, international organisations, teaching and the legal professions. Many go on to postgraduate study in history, politics, international relations or public policy. The sandwich year and placements mean Portsmouth graduates typically enter the labour market with a combination of academic credentials and direct professional experience.