History and Politics
History and politics are natural companions. History provides the long record of human decision-making, conflict, and change without which political ideas and institutions are difficult to understand; politics provides the analytical frameworks through which historical events can be interpreted as contests over power, legitimacy, and resource. Together they train you to ask not just what happened, but why, and with what consequences, equipping you with modes of enquiry that are applicable far beyond the academy.
At the University of York, this three-year full-time degree lets you analyse how human society has developed over time and investigate the factors that have shaped culture and politics around the world. You will study historical sources, political theory, and the methods specific to each discipline, learning to move between the close reading of evidence and the construction of broader arguments. The programme includes a sandwich year, which provides the opportunity to apply your skills in a professional setting, alongside a year abroad and a work placement.
These structural features ensure that your time at York combines intellectual development with practical exposure to the world beyond campus. The entry tariff is 152 points.
The skills developed through a combined history and politics degree are among the most transferable in higher education. Graduates move into careers in journalism, the civil service, law, policy research, think tanks, international organisations, public affairs, and political campaigning. Many enter the charity sector, communications, or roles that require the ability to synthesise complex information and argue clearly in writing.
Teaching and academia are also well-established paths. Postgraduate study in history, political science, international relations, or public policy is a natural option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise, and the combination of disciplinary perspectives gained at undergraduate level is a genuine asset in research at that level.