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BA (Hons) History and Politics with a Year Abroad
Key details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- VL1A
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Course Overview
Are you as interested in Tudor intrigues as you're in battles over Brexit? Do you want to explore today’s political world while studying its roots? If so, then our History and Politics with a Year Abroad degree is for you. From the ancient world to our own global politics, you’ll choose from modules which stretch across borders and through time.
You’ll learn from experts in both history and politics, drawing on a wide range of options to develop a deep understanding of the two subjects – and the relationship between them. As well as the knowledge you gain, you’ll build invaluable skills in critical thinking, communication and digital literacy.
You’ll study the past and present alongside one another, with your first year giving you a firm grounding in both subjects. Afterwards, flexibility will be at the heart of your degree: in your second and third years, you’ll split your time between history and politics in the way that suits you best.
Norwich is an ideal place in which to study, with its historic centre reflecting its journey from medieval hub to radical modern city. On our beautiful campus, you’ll benefit from our strengths in British, European and global research, including internationally renowned centres in Eastern European history and East Anglian studies. Our network of partnerships with the region’s leading heritage organisations, such as Norfolk Museums, gives you the chance to experience history first hand.
Our graduates go on to careers reflecting their passions: in parliament, government, the Civil Service law, finance, heritage, media, teaching and many more besides. And if you’re thinking of taking your study of history and politics further, our degree will provide a vital foundation.
On this version of the course, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to spend your third year studying at one of our partner institutions across the globe.
Year Abroad
This four-year version of the course gives you the opportunity to spend the third year of your degree studying with one of UEA's many partner institutions across the globe, which offers teaching in your subject and in English. Destinations range from Japan to Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Canada and the USA.
Studying Abroad gives you the opportunity to broaden your academic and social horizons, giving you opportunities to develop your confidence and communication skills, while bringing a unique element to your CV that will help you stand out to prospective employers. Availability at our partner institutions does vary from year to year and we always recommend you bring an open mind about your destination preference. You'll also need to meet certain academic progression requirements (scoring an aggregate of 55% in your first- and second-year assessments). If for this or for any other reason you were to decide you were unable to spend your third year abroad, you can transfer to a three-year version of your degree at any time.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Careers
Career Pathways
Recent graduates have entered a number of fields, including:
- Public Relations
- Political lobbying
- Museums and heritage industries
- Teaching
- Finance
- The Civil Service
- Postgraduate Study
Discover more on our Career pages.
After the Course
BA History and Politics graduates have the world at their feet. As well as your subject-specific skills and knowledge, you’ll develop a range of transferable skills and qualities, including analytical and communication skills, teamwork, leadership, self-management, and sophisticated digital literacy. Such attributes open doors to a wide variety of professions and careers.
Our graduates have a proven track record of moving into a wide range of careers, such as law, finance, local government and administration, the heritage and tourism sector, the civil service, political lobbying, non-governmental organisations, teaching, think-tanks, and many more. Or you could further your research by going on to postgraduate study.
Study and Modules
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
Contextual offer: Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Merit.
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BA (Hons) History with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
A levels
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
The cost of individual field trips will vary, and all such trips are optional.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: