International History and Politics BA

Course overview

BA International History and Politics will give you an unrivalled opportunity to study the principal international challenges of today in the light of their recent historical past. The course focuses on the modern and contemporary history of world affairs, from the late nineteenth century to the present. Beginning with the origins and outcomes of the First World War, the course also investigates the interwar period, the Second World War and its aftermath, and the Cold War, before moving into the post-Cold War period and the challenges of the 'war on terror,' its effects and implications.

Focusing on tensions and challenges in international history, this course investigates some of the most important changes on the world stage over the last hundred years or so. You can study the role of states and international diplomacy, and the rise of international organisations and non-state actors across the period. You can learn about security and insecurity, and how these concepts have shifted over time. You might focus on transnational questions, such as refugees in Europe, or revolutions in central and south America. You could specialise in the international history of particular regions, such as the Middle East or East Asia. Or you could choose to study histories of crisis, conflict and inequalities, and the legacies of the contested international past.

BA International History and Politics is a challenging, integrated single-honours degree. Compulsory modules will give you a firm grounding in key periods and themes. You will also develop the historical skills you'll need to succeed in your studies. You can choose modules in each year of your course to help tailor your degree to your own interests. With the support of expert tutors and access to excellent facilities, you'll also build wider skills that are highly valued by employers.

Facilities

Course details

Year 1

Year 1 is about laying the foundations for your degree. Core modules will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to understand International History and Politics, offering a grounding in archival and historiographical approaches, as well as political theories and methodologies.

Year 2

In Year 2, you'll build on this understanding by choosing from a range of optional modules to suit your interests. These could focus on imperial Germany, the Cold War, the international history of the Middle East or East Asia, or ‘history wars’ in contemporary Europe. You'll also receive additional training in primary source analysis and put your research skills into practice in a long essay that will help prepare you for the Final Year Project.

Year 3

In Year 3, you’ll work closely with an expert tutor on a research-based Special Subject module. This will require you to engage closely with primary sources, choosing from a range of subjects, such as Nazi Germany, transnational war volunteers, refugees or the British secret services. Partnered with the special subject, you'll also put your knowledge and skills into practice to undertake a Final Year Project on a topic of your own choice. In addition, you'll continue to choose from an exciting range of optional modules, spanning topics such as genocide, terrorism and political violence, or 20th-century southeast Asia.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International History and Politics BA in the course catalogue

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 3 compulsory modules

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

Our tutors are experts in their fields and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research. We use a range of learning and teaching styles to help you benefit from their expertise and to promote intellectual curiosity and debate.

You'll learn in lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, online discussions, and by creating and sharing content (eg presentations, posters, blogs, reviews). To develop your skills and involve you in public-facing activities, two classes in each module take place outside the classroom. This might include field trips, archive visits or museum handling sessions’ to ‘to develop your skills and involve you in public-facing activities, many modules include field trips, archive visits or museum handling sessions. These learning activities are underpinned by digital technologies to structure your learning and intellectual development.

You'll have the opportunity to learn how to produce podcasts, digital exhibitions, blogs, text analyses, timelines, storyboards, maps, and bibliographies using the latest digital tools and platforms. Our online spaces are integrated with in-person teaching activities, allowing you to review lectures, ask questions, test ideas, and record and reflect on your learning.

At the University of Leeds, we have a wealth of resources for you to explore as you become an independent learner. You’ll be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Project on a topic of your own choice. Self-motivated learning allows you to build valuable experience in independent working, managing time, critical thinking, and self-awareness.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork in History involves exploring the past through archival resources, working with partners outside the University, and the physical evidence of the past that is around us in museums, buildings, and the landscape. Throughout your time studying International History and Politics at Leeds, you'll have the opportunity to engage in research outside the classroom. You’ll also conduct your own archival research in your Final Year Project. Funding is available to all students in their final year to help support this research.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Your assessments will help you to communicate ideas and analysis in informed, relevant and appropriate ways. They will also help to develop 'real life' employability skills. Throughout your degree you'll be presented with choices about your assignments, whether selecting an essay question, choosing primary sources to analyse, developing an individual or group project, curating an exhibition or developing you own lines of historical inquiry in the Final Year Project.

You'll be using a mixture of primary sources (the raw material from the past) and secondary sources written by historians. As you progress in your degree the balance between the two shifts from secondary to primary, as you gain more experience and expertise in the critical analysis of a wide range of source material. You'll engage directly with historiographical debates, exploring not just what has been written about the past, but how we know what we do, how historians approach and interpret material differently, and the limits of historical knowledge.

Depending on the modules you choose, you’ll be assessed using a variety of methods. These may include ‘take home’ 48-hour exams and essays. Many modules use a wide range of other methods including presentations, podcasts, and other public-facing work. In addition, assessment can take the form of group work, oral presentations, source commentaries, annotated bibliographies, book/literature/historiographical reviews, blog postings, wikis, self-directed heritage trails, and vlogs. We offer lots of support, and there are extra classes on topics such as critical reading, writing skills and workload planning if you need them.

You'll get experience in all the different ways that history is presented and discussed both within academic settings and public history. These are not just moments where your competency as a historian is assessed. They also provide evidence you can use in the future to demonstrate your skills in critical thinking, communication, research, and time management.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

Other course specific tests:

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be AAB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, contact the School of History Admissions team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
The fee for UK undergraduate students is decided by the Government and may vary if policy changes. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 will be £9,535.

The tuition fee for the following programmes with an integrated foundation year is £5,760 for the foundation year, and £9,535 for subsequent years of study:
•    Business Studies with Foundation Year BSC
•    Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
•    Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
•    Social Science (foundation year) BA
 

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.
 

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Katrina Honeyman scholarships

All international students who are offered a place on our BA History or BA International History and Politics courses will automatically be considered for a Katrina Honeyman scholarship. These scholarships are awarded in recognition of outstanding academic performance.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Students

If you are a mature applicant (over 21) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and maths qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of History

Contact us

Faculty of Arts Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

International History and Politics will equip you with a combination of specialist subject knowledge and valuable skills, enabling you to build a career in many different sectors.

You'll be able to think critically about information from a range of sources to form your own conclusions. You'll also be able to present them clearly, whether that’s verbally, in writing or in other formats. As a motivated independent learner, you'll have organisational, time management and research skills that will appeal to employers.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in careers as diverse as diplomacy, international finance and investment, journalism, the civil service, law, education and the Armed Forces.

Read more about graduate destinations.

The School of History is committed to helping you reach your goals. Student-run career groups allow you to meet other students with similar plans, while you could also become a peer mentor or apply for one of our paid internships. We offer career-related modules to help you develop your employability or explore your options.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.