About this course
Knowledge and understanding of the past helps us understand the present. History with Politics provides a unique opportunity to explore key historical and political events that have shaped today's society.
History with Politics at NTU offers you exciting opportunities to discover and understand the past, whilst developing your understanding of the issues dominating our lives; from the war in Afghanistan to the European Union. It demands passion, focus, an open mind, intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage with independent learning.
You will get to understand diverse peoples, nations, and ideas from medieval and early modern through to modern and contemporary history, across Britain, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Far East.
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100% of NTU’s research in History was assessed to be world-leading or excellent in terms of its impact - REF 2021. -
Get the experience you need for after you graduate with extended work placements, company projects, consultancy, and collaborations. -
Study in a city steeped in history and home to an array of museums and archives. -
Travel the world, meet new friends, and have experiences you will remember for the rest of your life with an international exchange.
Find out more about History
We’re running an activity for 16 - 18 year olds to give you a taster of what it is like to study at NTU.
Once you register your interest, we’ll email you information nearer to the day.
Thursday 12 June, 10 am - 3 pm
What you’ll study
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the history of political thought. You'll cover a diverse range of historical periods, regions and ideas, as well as political theory, ideas and ideologies.
We offer you a wide range of options so you can study what you are passionate about, or discover a new and exciting area you never even considered before.
Year One builds the key historical skills and practices you'll need in your future, alongside introductory modules on politics and political thought.
Year Two is all about you. You can choose a pathway which suits your needs and interests with the opportunity to travel, work or specialise your study with optional modules.
Year Three is your chance to really explore what fascinates you, with a further range of options and a project on a specialist research topic of your choice. You'll be guided along with expert supervision from your teaching team.
Throughout your degree you will be building your employability with extensive work-like experiences, digital skills and problem-solving.
Core modules
Europe since 1789: Revolution to Referendum
Explore the ideas, ideologies, political , social, and economic changes associated with the development of Western Europe and the European States from the late 18th Century to the late 20th Century. From revolutions to unifications, empire and colonisation, war and state, the rise of communism and fascism, intellectual, economic, cultural and social developments, the module will act as a foundation for future study of history at University.
Making History
Making History helps you build key skills for studying History, like analyzing sources, managing research projects, and presenting ideas confidently. You’ll explore fascinating topics from different times and places
History Matters
Making History helps you prepare for university-level History by teaching research methods, source analysis, and data presentation. You'll develop key skills and explore diverse historical perspectives with expert academics.
America, 1607-2020: from Colony to Superpower
Examine the themes of race, colonisation, slavery in American history and examine the connections between the past and the present – for example, with the civil rights struggles of the sixties and the Black Lives Matter Movement today.
Politics
Love it or loathe it, there is no avoiding politics. Many are turned off by simply hearing the word, and yet, as this module will reveal there is more to the discipline than meets the eye. You will explore its key traditions, concepts, thinkers, and ideologies. Thinking creatively and developing digital literacies throughout, you will gain an understanding not only of the academic discipline but also the tools for interpreting ongoing debates in contemporary society.
Young Citizens, Place and Belonging
This is hands-on module will give you the opportunity to learn more about more about the city you have come to live and study in. With a rich backstory steeped in community and grassroots activism, Nottingham is an ideal location to develop knowledge and gain skills around citizenship, participation and community organisation which are fundamental in enacting change. This module will provide a unique insight into the formal and informal politics of the city and give you the tools you need to become a change maker.
Core modules
The Historian's Craft
This module introduces you to a range of historical source collections and guides you through best practice of critically examining source evidence.
History in Action
You will evaluate your skill set and identify gaps to wok on through a minimum of 80 hours of relevant work-like experience, to include placement, volunteering and charity work, community-engaged learning, consultancy or collaborations.
Justice, Ethics and Democracy
Take a critical and reflexive tour through classical and contemporary Western political thought, exploring the continued relevance of some of its most important concepts and ideas. Along the way you will creatively apply the insights of exciting thinkers - such as Machiavelli, J. S. Mill, and Martha Nussbaum – to contemporary case studies of your choosing, spanning current debates in Politics and International Relations to contemporary film, music, literature, or even TV boxsets.
In the second half of the year you will choose from:
Pathway 1: Extended work-like experience
Get the experience you need for after you graduate, and really understand how the things you study translate into the world of work with a work placement. Your highly experienced Employability Team will help you find a placement to suit your career goals from our huge network of companies, historical and heritage organisations, charities, institutions, and beyond.
Pathway 2: An international exchange
Travel the world, meet new friends, and have experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.
Our flexible curriculum has been designed to allow some amazing opportunities for you. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters, giving you the opportunity to take part in an international exchange. You could study with one of international exchange partners in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, Thailand and many, many more.
Our dedicated team will support you in finding and arranging a suitable exchange. And don't worry about the cost, they will help you apply for any grants or loans you may need, as no one should miss out on the chance to broaden their horizons.
Pathway 3: Taught pathway choosing two History modules, and one Politics module from:
History optional modules - choose two
Fascism, Past and Present
Examine and contextualise fascism and fascist regimes both in the past as well as the present - specifically recent neo-fascist movements and illiberal right-wing governments.
People and Planet
Develop an understanding of the human impact on the environment from the 15th Century to the present and how such slow-moving change can interact with social justice.
Money Matters: Finance Past and Present
Use the skills and knowledge developed by Humanities students to examine how human behaviour and historical trends have impacted economic systems across national, international and global arenas.
History Online: Researching and Presenting the Past
Create a 'magazine' project to contribute to the History blog.
Politics optional modules - choose one
UK Parliamentary Studies
Gain an in-depth and unique insight into the theory and practice of the institution that lays at the centre of our political system. In this module you will critically analyse the contribution that both Houses of Parliament make to scrutiny, policy making and representation. Throughout the module you will engage with MPs, Peers, and parliamentary officials in order to strip away the ermine and oak panelling to see how the beating heart of our democracy really functions and how you can enact change through it.
Contemporary European Politics
Europe remains a key player in both UK domestic and international politics, and due to its diverse internal complexity, presents a fascinating case study for comparative politics. Examining a host of European nations from the largest/well-known (e.g., France, Spain) to the smallest/relatively less documented (e.g., Malta, Cyprus) the module explores a range of ongoing political issues, such as the role of government, elections/electoral systems, party systems, voter behaviour and more.
Security Studies
In an increasingly dangerous world humans need to work together to find ways of protecting it. In this module you will explore issues relating to contemporary Security Studies - an increasingly important subdivision within the study of International Relations. This can range to the more familiar emphasis on conflict within and between nation states, including the ever-evolving threats of domestic and international terrorism, to perhaps the slightly less dramatic - but equally worrying - events relating to public and environmental health.
The Politics of Art, Film and Literature
Even in the darkest moments of humanity, we humans have created works of art which can inspire empathy and understanding across cultures. In this sense, politics isn’t simply about raw power – it can be about hope, passion, and the stories we encounter both today and those we leave for future generations. In this unique module you will discover the great work of art, books, music, and film; identifying their social and political themes and what they tell us about the human condition in a range of global contexts.
Environmental Politics and Policy
Welcome to the ‘Anthropocene’! Critically explore the historical and ongoing impact of human behaviour on the natural world, situating environmental politics through key events from the late 20th century onwards. From the local to the global, explore core debates in environmental ethics and green political thought, whilst studying a wide range of domestic and international policies, processes, treaties, and case studies throughout.
Global Political Marketing
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the organisation, behaviour, and impact of political marketing at both a national and international level. The module examines the marketisation of politics on a range of relevant issues, including political behaviour, party organisation, and voting patterns. Key debates will be considered throughout, relating to targeting and positioning, branding, market research, and the relationship between political marketing and fundamental issues such as trust, democracy, and crisis management.
Intercultural Communication at Work
Gain the knowledge, skills and strategies to build your intercultural communication competence. Analyse and reflect on the impact of culture(s) on your values, assumptions, perceptions, expectations, and behaviours. Build successful verbal and non-verbal communication strategies in different intercultural settings.
You may choose to take an optional year-long placement in Year Three, either in the UK or overseas.
You will be supported by our experienced Employability Team to source a suitable placement.
Core module
History Research Project
Produce your final year research project which will include a product pitch , literature review and finally a showcase where you present in an exhibition-style environment.
Representing History
Apply your historical knowledge and skills to deliver a real world project working for an external client brief.
Leadership, Activism, Campaigning
Throughout the last two years you have learnt the art of communication and how change can be enacted through formal and informal political arenas. You’ve been creative, completing assessments on topics and case studies of your choosing. You’ve built a portfolio of activities and skills which should make you confident about your future. The culmination of these experiences is this module, whereby you get the chance to design a campaign/project on something that matters to you; as too, pitch your reflections on the knowledge and skills gained throughout and their potential for life after Uni.
Optional modules - choose 2 History, or 1 History and 1 Politics module
History optional modules
Legacies and Memory of Conflict
The module examines the issue of conflict, its legacies and memorialisation. It will focus on a series of historical struggles from around the world and use them to interrogate what happened and why before analysing their traces and consequences in their respective post-conflict eras.
The Global Struggle for Civil and Human Rights
Examine the long struggle for civil and human rights within different national and transnational contexts
History on Trial
Examine and contextualise the issues and controversies that faced various societies in the United States, Great Britain and the Middle East at critical moments in history
History Online: the Value and Values of History
Explore a diverse range of historical subjects based on the latest research and your personal interests.
Politics optional modules
British Politics in Uncertain Times
Examine the changing nature of British Politics in the context of global issues. You'll gain an understanding of the origins of vital contemporary issues, such as the resurgence of nationalism in Britain, the leaving of the European Union, the financial crisis and its aftermath and many more. These dynamic, changing and highly volatile issues will be reflected through the lens of key actors in the British state, British interests overseas, and the potential end of the British state as we know it.
US Politics and Policy
Following the events on Capitol Hill, in January 2021, there seems no greater time to examine the complex and increasingly fractious politics and government of the USA. Taking into consideration a range of its ongoing historical tensions, the module will critically interrogate US democracy’s most revered actors and institutions, including its Constitution, Congress, the Supreme Court, the role of the President, and specifically, historical evolutions in domestic and foreign policy.
Political Violence and Terror
Since 9/11 the so-called ‘War on Terror’ has dominated global politics, and whilst today it might appear to have taken a back seat to other issues, it continues to exert its influence. Throughout this module you will explore the evolving relationship between terrorism and political violence. Analysing the concept of ‘insecurity’ in a broad sense throughout, you will examine key theoretical approaches as well as a range of real-world cases, illustrating ultimately its increasingly complex use for political means.
Global Politics of Pop Culture
Expand your understanding of ‘politics’ beyond parliaments, parties and politicians to consider the wider power of cultural representations and experiences. From clothes and music to sport and shopping, this module will encourage you to reflect on the ways in which political, economic, social, and cultural power can manifest itself in a range of everyday, subtle, and often quite innocent ways.
Feminist Thought and Praxis
Delve into some of the many branches of feminist thought and core themes in contemporary feminism. The module explores topics such as the relationship between historical and contemporary approaches to feminist theory, its key ideological undercurrents, from its liberal, ‘first wave’ foundations to contemporary, ‘fourth wave’ manifestations, and the application of feminist theory to a range of exciting case studies today.
Politics of the Global South
Mainstream IR has long been dominated by the global north, however, as you will see In this module, the south is often where politics is most radical and dramatic. You will explore these complex societies in depth, understanding Africa’s role in international relations, learning about the rise of Pan-Africanism, and examining a wide range of case studies. You will also learn about the impact of the drug war on Mexico, the consequences of the military dictatorship in Chile, the socialist experiments in Venezuela, the struggle for the soul of Brazil, and the impact of American imperialism on Haiti and Cuba.
The International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa
Perhaps no region of the world is more misunderstood than the Middle East and North Africa. In this module you will take an in-depth look at the political economy of the region against the backdrop of its colonial and post-independence history. You will consider the role of both state and non-state actors, examine a range of contemporary security challenges, and consider the potential and opportunities for inter-state cooperation, as too, future possible scenarios for international relations within the continent.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
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How you're taught
How will I learn?
As well as traditional lectures and seminars, your learning is designed to help you hone your skills of research, critical analysis and intellectual discussion. You will be involved in group work, live projects, tutorials, presentations, visits and workshops that will help you to develop your teamwork and communication skills, as well as your ability to present complex arguments.
You will also carry out independent project work where you’ll have the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment, as well as face-to-face support from your teaching team.
Virtual learning environment
Throughout the course you will use NTU’s online workspace NOW, a flexible web-based system that provides you with 24-hour access to all information relating to your course/modules, such as lecture materials, seminar tasks, assessment information, reading lists, and much more.
You will also have free, downloadable access to Office 365, with access to all the major apps and platforms which will likely be used throughout the duration of the course, including OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams.
Work experience, placements and projects
You will undertake up to 240 hours of work-like experience over the course of your degree. These hours will be split across modules and years and will include a variety of different experiences including: placements, company projects, simulations, consultancy projects, case studies, volunteering, and campaigning.
International exchange
You’ll also have the option to take part in an international exchange at a partner university. These options will enable you to gain impressive international experience, and broaden your perspective and career ambitions.
You’ll experience other cultures, travel the globe and open your eyes to a world of opportunities. Our exchange partnership with a number of international universities enables you to live and study in another country in your second year. Find out more.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn another new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.
How you're assessed
We use a varied and diverse range of coursework assessments to develop your skills and support your progress. These include digital projects, reviews, case-studies, essays, presentations and reports.
Our innovative approach to assessment means that in Year One you will develop and enhance a complementary set of key skills for success in second and third year, and throughout the degree the varied assessment pattern will enable you to engage with the past and prepare for your future through an exciting array of projects
Contact hours
If you’re struggling with a topic or require additional support or guidance, you can arrange to see your tutors in small groups or one-to-one, to discuss essay plans or to seek some specific academic guidance.
It is the nature of the subjects offered in the School of Social Sciences, however, that much of your time will be spent engaged in independent study. We recognise that this marks a change of culture from school or college, and we have in place a system of study support to help you adapt to this.
Careers and employability
Career development
Knowledge and understanding of the past is of incalculable value both to the individual and to society, and as one of our History with Politics graduates you’ll possess a wide range of academic and transferable skills.
Academically, the study of History instils an appreciation of the importance of historical context, the challenges posed by imperfect evidence, and a greater awareness of the historical forces unfolding in our own time. Proficiency in close textual analysis, developing rational enquiry, and constructing and articulating argument will provide not only valuable life skills but significant benefits to your employment activities. You’ll also have knowledge of communications and media processes and their impact on industry and society.
Politics and History graduates are effective communicators, and possess a range of major transferable skills that include critical reasoning and independence of thought, and excellence in research methodology and advanced problem solving. These skills are valued in a wide range of occupations and settings, which is why the immediate and longer term destinations of History graduates are so diverse.
Politics and History graduates have gone on to forge successful careers both within large, well known organisations and the small to medium sized companies that constitute much of the UK economy. Recent graduate roles have included law, publishing, marketing, PR, retail and finance.
Some graduates choose to progress to further study, either to continue their research within Politics or History, or to gain more direct vocational qualifications such as museum and heritage management, teaching, or tourism.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Djanogly building with access to facilities including a student kitchen and collaboration space.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — England’s original ‘rebel city’. It’s one of the UK’s top 10 student destinations, and one of Europe’s top 25. Enjoy a booming indie arts scene, pop-up galleries, the nationally renowned Nottingham Contemporary, two A-list theatres, the iconic Broadway (voted one of the world’s top 100 independent cinemas by Total Film), and a constant rotation of events and exhibitions.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Here are some of the free services, student discount and benefits you'll get studying at NTU
We've carefully considered what benefits and services you need for your studies, so when you join NTU you'll get free printing and materials credits, access to our free WiFi, a copy of Microsoft Office, and even borrow a laptop if yours is out of commission.
For life outside your lectures, you'll enjoy access to over 60 sports clubs and 130 student societies, discounted travel and bike hire, free language learning, award-winning student support and an entertainment programme which is second to none.
See all the benefits and free services you will enjoy as an NTU student.
Societies
Current students run societies in a range of Humanities and Arts subjects including History, Medieval, Film, Filmmaking, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, and the Book society.
There are also a number of media channels which our students get involved in such as the NTU radio station FlyLive, our student magazine Platform, and TV station TrentTV.
Find out more about student societies at the Student Union website.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
