Please note this course is recruiting for September 2026. For a September start you can follow our BA History programme.
Navigate key contemporary issues with our innovative History and Politics degree. Then join the 98% of St Mary’s students in employment, vocation, or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA, 2023).
Please note this course is recruiting for September 2026. For a September start you can follow our BA History programme.
Take an in-depth approach to contemporary issues with our exciting History and Politics degree. You’ll study questions like ‘why do Revolutions happen?’, ‘what should governments do about immigration?’, and ‘why do human rights matter?’. Combining political theory and policy questions with 500 years of historical context, you’ll cover topics including:
- International Relations and Political Economy
- political systems and their development
- wars and revolutions
- public history
- Decolonisation and the End of Empire
- the politics of memory
- popular music.
You will also build crucial skills for a successful career in a range of fields, from politics and policy to public history, heritage, and business.
An exciting curriculum focused on real-world issues
Our curriculum is exciting, challenging, and hands-on. You will take applied modules that focus on real-world topics like migration, conflict, and climate change. You will complete innovative and relevant assessments including:
- podcasts
- exhibition pieces
- policy papers.
Engage with experts
Our lecturers are experts – decision-makers and industry professionals. As a result, you will gain unique practical experience.
An academic team committed to you
You’ll receive everything you need to achieve your potential while developing strong relationships with other students and lecturers. Not only do we specialise in seminar-style teaching, but we also provide one-to-one support. We are:
- 1st in London for ‘Academic Support’ (National Student Survey (NSS), 2023)
- 2nd in London for ‘Teaching on My Course’ (NSS, 2023).
A campus with a unique history
We share our campus with Strawberry Hill House, which Horace Walpole (renowned gothic writer) designed and lived in to inspire his work. Strawberry Hill House is also a working heritage site. Therefore, your History and Politics BA will be a fully immersive and geographically distinct learning experience.
Make London your classroom
St Mary's is just a short distance from central London, so you’ll easily access global links to culture, politics, and policy. We will also take field trips to sites such as:
- Westminster and the Houses of Parliament
- Hampton Court Palace
- The Migration Museum
- The International Maritime Organization
- The National Archives.
Work placements: build professional experience
We ensure you’re set for success – 98% of Simmies are in employment, vocation, or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA, 2023). During your History and Politics course, you can complete work experience placements within:
- local government
- charities
- policy organisations
- heritage sites
- educational organisations.
Course content
Modules
These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
In your first two years, you will have nine hours of teaching per week, plus regular tutorials with your personal tutor. Final year students have six hours of teaching per week, plus tutorials with your dissertation supervisor. You may also take a work placement in your second year.
Assessment methods
Our BA History and Politics degree is assessed entirely by coursework - there are no timed exams. You will develop key skills through a wide range of different assessments, such as:
- academic essays
- reviews
- reports
- applied work (policy papers, podcasts, and public history exhibitions)
- presentations to develop public speaking skills.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Entry requirements
80
UCAS points
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
International requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).
UCAS Personal statement support
Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
How many UCAS points my grades are worth
A levels
A*
56 pts
A
48 pts
B
40 pts
C
32 pts
D
24 pts
E
16 pts
My qualification isn't listed:
If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Home
£9,250
International
£17,100
*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Additional costs
All essential course requirements are included within the tuition fee. However, you may be expected to travel to field visit locations within London and it is recommended that you purchase a laptop capable of running the Microsoft Office suite.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
Career opportunities
98% of St Mary’s students in employment, vocation, or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA, 2023). A History and Politics degree gives you excellent transferable skills and an understanding of contemporary political and global challenges, which boosts your employability across a range of careers.
History and Politics graduates excel in fields as diverse as:
- heritage and museums
- politics
- business
- marketing
- public relations
- education.
Many students also choose to go onto further study. You may be particularly interested in our:
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of History and Politics BA (Hons) include:
More from St Mary's
Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.
Find out more about the extensive support system available to you at St Mary’s.
Discover the many areas in which our academies are currently researching.
Discover what life is like on our London campus.