BAHistory and Political Science

Study location	United Kingdom, Birmingham
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA
Course code	LV21

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher) A Level History, Medieval History or Ancient History at grade A. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill) CAE: 176 (with a minimum of 169 in each skill)

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	birmingham.ac.uk/..-political-science.aspx

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

First year
The first year is the foundational year in an academic process that will see you progress from being a dependent to an independent learner. You will study modules spanning the early medieval to late modern periods and be provided with the basic knowledge and skills to study politics. Within the choice of Politics modules, you have the opportunity to take other introductory social science courses. You can choose two out of six introductory survey modules in History which explore fundamental themes and issues focused on key periods and indicate the kinds of questions historians explore and some of the methods they employ in answering them. You will also study Practising History (A): Skills in History and Practising History (B): Approaches to History, which look more closely at the techniques of the historian and at the nature and evolution of key historical debates.

Compulsory modules

Practising History A: Skills in History (10 credits)
Practising History B: Approaches to History (10 credits)
Classical Political Thought (20 credits)
Understanding Politics (20 credits)
Choose one of these two modules:

Discovering the Middle Ages (20 credits)
Reformation, Rebellion and Revolution: the Making of the Modern World 1500-1800 (20 credits)
Choose one of the following modules:

Living in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
The Making of the Contemporary World: Modern History c.1800 to the Present (20 credits)
War and Society (20 credits)
United States History 1865-2000 (20 credits)
Optional Political Science modules may include:

Introduction to International Relations (20 credits)
Politics as a Vocation (20 credits)
Twentieth Century Russian Politics A & B (20 credits)
Introduction to the European Union: History, Politics and Institutions (20 credits)
Detailed descriptions of History modules
Detailed descriptions of Politics modules
Second year
The second year is an intermediate year that builds on the foundations laid in the first year of study. You engage in Group Research and extend your historical knowledge through one (20 credit) subject-specific Option module chosen from a wide range available. You also choose one of either History in Theory and Practice (20 credits) or Research Methods (Dissertation Preparation) (20 credits) modules and may also be able to take the Professional Skills module (20 credits).

Compulsory modules

Group Research (20 credits)
Option (20 credits)
Analysing Political Worlds (20 credits)
Modern Political Thought (20 credits)
Choose from one of the following:-

History in Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Research Methods (20 credits)
Students may also be able to take a Professional Skills Module (20 credits) (please note: places on this module are limited)

In Political Science you have the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge in areas that you find of greatest interest, such as political theory and analysis, European integration, British politics, American politics, comparative European politics, and political economy.

Detailed descriptions of History modules
Detailed descriptions of Politics modules
Year abroad
You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year then you will be invited to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year. Find out more.

Final year
The third year represents the culmination of undergraduate study and the final stage of your transition to an independent learner. You hone your historical skills in Advanced Option A or Advanced Option B (20 credits). You can choose between an in-depth Special Subject module (20+20 credits), which is chosen from a variety of available subjects or a History Dissertation (40 credits). Joint Honours students taking a Special Subject can substitute an Advanced Option for a Joint Honours History Dissertation (20 credits).

In Political Science, in addition to choosing modules from a wide range of options, students undertake an independent research project on a topic of their own choosing.

Career opportunities

Accountancy
Charity work
Housing
Human Resources
International Development
Law
Marketing
Media
Publishing
Politics
Retail Management
Teaching
Library and Archive work
Postgraduate study