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 2027
)
Chat to us on Unibuddy
Any questions? Chat online with current students, staff and experts. This is your chance to ask anything about UEA, university life, Norwich and more.
Course Overview
Why BA History and Politics with a Year Abroad at UEA?
With UEA History and Policy degree, you’ll trace how power relations have evolved through centuries of formative conflicts. You’ll also explore structural trends and individual disruptors from Tudor dynastic struggles to recent anti-globalisation protests.
Why choose UEA?
- Past meets present: Learn directly from UEA’s leading experts in politics and history. Join the conversations that advance our collective understanding of the connections between the past and present
- Study your way: Flexibility with both subjects will define your degree. Choose what you study to suit your interests
- City-led learning: Norwich is a historic city with a proud tradition of political protest
What is BA History and Politics with a Year Abroad?
You’ll learn directly from distinguished historians and experts in politics. You’ll develop skills valued by employers, critical thinking, communication and digital literacy.
You’ll join a stimulating community bridging expertise in modern history with current affairs, international relations and political theory. After gaining a foundation in both disciplines, you’ll steer your own pathway through our unique curriculum.
Vibrant Norwich will be the backdrop to your studies. The urban landscape and surrounding regions will inspire you and provide historical and political subjects for investigation and comparative analysis.
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
With a BA History and Politics with a Year Abroad degree, you could launch a career in:
- Civil service and international organisations: Apply your ability to understand complexity to the challenges facing public institutions and global governance
- Law: Put your logical reasoning and attention to detail to work as a solicitor, barrister, or legal researcher
- Public relations and communications: Manage communications and public messaging for organisations in the cultural or public sectors
- Teaching: Teach History and related humanities subjects in a range of educational institutions
- Museums and heritage: Support curation and conservation, visitor services, educational and outreach programmes whilst drawing on your historical knowledge
Career Support
We realise that thinking about life after university can be daunting. You’ll therefore be supported throughout your degree to develop transferable skills that employers value. We’ll encourage you to weigh up different career paths and to understand what you need to do to pursue them. You’ll have access to personalised career support, campus careers events, alumni networking opportunities, paid internships and career-planning and CV workshops.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
History and Politics graduates leave with a versatile and varied skills set that opens doors to various careers. You’ll gain subject-specific knowledge in two disciplines, but you’ll also develop transferable skills and qualities that employers value. You’ll learn to think analytically, construct interpretations and communicate clearly. You’ll gain experience working in a team independently.
Study and Modules
Structure
In year one, you’ll gain the core skills required for both history and politics. You’ll begin the course with compulsory modules, through which you’ll gain a solid foundation in political theory and contemporary politics. And you’ll study historical methodologies and the broad chronological sweep of modern history.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In year two, you can concentrate on History or Politics, or you can keep doing some combination of them. You’ll take one compulsory subject in History, but you’ll have flexibility to pick other topics that complement one another. For instance, you might study the history of modern Germany alongside an introduction to the European Union. You’ll hone your critical thinking and ability to construct a well-evidenced argument.
You can also study abroad, learn a foreign language and choose subjects offered by other disciplines in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. To apply practical and transferable skills that you’ve gained from your course, you might wish to do a short-term placement.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
On this course, you'll spend your third year studying abroad at one of our many partner institutions across the globe. This is a brilliant opportunity to experience living in another country, see how your subject and others are taught there, develop greater confidence and enhanced communication skills and gain experiences that will help your CV stand out to employers.
Check out our Study Abroad pages to learn more.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your final year, you’ll master the intellectual skills required to create and contest historical and political knowledge. You’ll select one Special Subject from a range offered by the School of History and Art History that typically includes topics such as appeasement and World War Two, European fascism and Communism in Yugoslavia, and Britain in the 1980s. Each option is led by experts in that subject.
In addition, you’ll study two advanced modules in history or politics. Optional topics typically include subjects such as the history of modern sport, politics and popular culture. Instead of taking one of these advanced modules, you can (subject to meeting certain criteria) write a history or politics dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 30)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 30)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Our historians and political scientists have an enthusiasm for advancing knowledge that animates their teaching. You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, independent study and conversations with academics. You’ll analyse evidence, apply theoretical frameworks, construct narratives and improve your critical thinking. You’ll discover your scholarly voice and build the confidence to develop and present your own research.
In year one, you’ll build core skills in historical methods and political ideas through lectures and seminars. You’ll learn to work both independently and in small groups to improve your confidence as readers, researchers, discussants, and writers.
During year two, you’ll deepen your knowledge after choosing from a range of specialist history and politics modules. You’ll become stronger at independent study by developing critical analysis and contextual thinking.
You’ll spend year three at one of our partner institutions, enriching your knowledge and experience by immersing yourself in another country.
In your final year, you’ll study in-depth your Special Subject and other optional topics through longer seminars, small-group work and independent study. You can opt to do a dissertation, working one-to-one with an expert supervisor.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a diverse range of assessments rather than traditional written examinations. Completing assessments will equip you with the skills and confidence to flourish after graduation. You’ll be helped with assessments throughout your studies, receiving regular written and verbal feedback to help you improve. You’ll have the chance to do a practice assignment for each graded assignment.
In year one, you’ll be assessed through essays, presentations, document commentaries and short written tasks. You’ll build confidence and experience whilst exploring the breadth of each subject.
During year two, your assessments will include group projects, policy briefs and select committee submissions.
You’ll undertake your assessments, in year three, as part of the course at one of our partner institutions.
In the final year, you’ll complete advanced coursework and an optional dissertation or extended research project.
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
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
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.
- 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
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
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
A levels
ABB
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.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
-
UK Students: £10,050
-
International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(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
You may need to pay some additional costs for optional field trips, which are subsidised by the department.
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: