Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - History with Politics (2-year degree) (HPO2)

Th BA (Hons) History with Politics (2-year degree) explores one of the most popular subjects among UK university students, valued for the way a historical perspective helps make sense of today’s rapidly changing world. Employers highly regard history graduates for their ability to think independently, work under pressure, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. Historical research is more accessible and engaging than ever, with extensive archival resources now available online.

The BA History programme has been carefully designed and refined by Buckingham’s team of experienced and high-calibre historians. Students begin with survey courses that cover major themes in the political, economic, and cultural history of Britain and Europe from the 1500s to the present day, before progressing to more specialised areas such as empire, global migration, and heritage studies. The degree culminates in an independent dissertation, drawing on the research, analytical, and writing skills developed throughout the programme. As a result, the course not only teaches history but also develops the ability to think, research, and write historically.

The History with Politics option forms part of the University’s major/minor structure, allowing the study of multiple subjects within a single degree. This combination brings together two closely interconnected disciplines. History modules, which make up around two-thirds of the course, incorporate significant political content, ranging from the transformation of the English monarchy under the Tudor and Stuart rulers, through the emergence of democracy during the Atlantic revolutions, to the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes in the twentieth century.

Politics modules similarly adopt a strong historical perspective, examining contemporary political systems—such as those of the United States or Cuba—through the lens of their historical development. Together, History and Politics provide a rich and complementary academic foundation, enabling graduates to develop a deeper understanding of both the modern world and the past societies that have shaped it.