(Full time) 2021 start
History and Philosophy of Science and Politics BA

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
History and Philosophy of Science is concerned with the nature of science and its role in society. Using philosophical, historical and social perspectives you’ll explore the history of scientific thought, the links between magic, science and religion and the nature of scientific knowledge.
Politics examines the institutions and practices of modern political systems, as well as the theories that underpin them and the ways in which they shape, and are shaped by, society.
Throughout your course, core modules will give you a firm grounding in political ideas, challenges and institutions around the world, and you will explore key questions in history and philosophy of science.
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in areas that suit your interests by selecting from a wide range of optional modules. You could broaden your horizons further still by selecting discovery modules from across the wider university.
Take a look around our libraries:
Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library
Course content
On this joint honours degree you’ll study the same core topics as students on each separate single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional or discovery modules so that you can fit in both subjects. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.
In your first year core modules will introduce you to themes and approaches in history and philosophy of science, such as how science works and the development of scientific thought.
You’ll also explore the similarities and differences between political systems and study key concepts, theories and ideas in politics. You’ll develop your knowledge still further in the following year by choosing optional modules in areas like theory of knowledge and the history of ideas.
You’ll also discover topics like security, electioneering and politics from the US to Africa, Europe and Asia. You’ll continue to select optional modules in your final year, from the history of the body to philosophical questions in technology by choosing from an even wider range of optional modules.
Throughout the degree you’ll build an impressive range of subject knowledge, and develop research and analytical skills. In your final year you’ll also have the chance to showcase these skills, when you focus on a subject of your choice to undertake a research project or dissertation.
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Magic, Science and Religion 10 credits
- Introduction to the History of Science 10 credits
- Darwin, Germs and the Bomb 10 credits
- How Science Works 10 credits
- Comparative Politics 20 credits
- Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- History of Psychology 10 credits
- Living with Technology 10 credits
- History of Modern Medicine 10 credits
- British Politics 20 credits
- Making of the Modern World 20 credits
- International Politics 20 credits
Year 2
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- History of Science in 10 Objects 20 credits
- History of Psychiatry and Mental Illness 20 credits
- Introduction to Epistemology 20 credits
- How Biology Works 10 credits
- The Conservative Party Since 1945 20 credits
- Spin Doctors and Electioneering 20 credits
- Politics and Policy in the EU 20 credits
- Politics of Contemporary China 20 credits
- State and Politics in Africa 20 credits
- United States Politics 20 credits
- Theories of International Relations 20 credits
- Security Studies 20 credits
- Revolution and Reaction: Political Problems in the 20th Century 20 credits
- Justice, Community and Conflict 20 credits
- Analysing Data in Politics, Development and International Relations 20 credits
- Approaches to Analysis 20 credits
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Science Communication: History & Theory 20 credits
- History of the Body 20 credits
- Science, Objects and the Museum 20 credits
- Mind, Brain & Society 20 credits
- Philosophy of Biology 20 credits
- Introduction to Philosophy of Modern Physics 10 credits
- Philosophy of Modern Physics 20 credits
- Philosophical Issues in Technology 20 credits
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences 20 credits
- British Foreign Policy 20 credits
- Prime Ministers and British Politics 20 credits
- The Politics of national identity in the UK 20 credits
- Land, Fuel and Agriculture 20 credits
- International Development and Social Policy 20 credits
- Violence and Reconciliation in Africa 20 credits
- Britain and the EU 20 credits
- Europe in the World 20 credits
- American Foreign Policy 20 credits
- Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics 20 credits
- Critically Analysing The Responsibility to Protect 20 credits
- Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases 20 credits
- Philosophy of Human Rights 20 credits
- Radical Political Ideas 20 credits
- Dissertation 40 credits
- Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture 20 credits
- Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science 40 credits
- Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science 40 credits
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
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 teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.
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
We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds for example, youll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
Other course specific tests:Where 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 BBB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.
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BTEC
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM. Other BTEC qualifications may also be considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M2
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International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers OR AABBBB in Highers
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative 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 alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science Undergraduate Admissions team.
You can find out more about what it is like to be an international student by speaking to a Link to Leeds ambassador. They can’t help you with your application, but they can tell you how they have found living and studying in Leeds.
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.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU 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
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
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.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
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 about additional costs
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.
Career opportunities
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
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 at the Careers website.
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.