If you’re interested in politics and history, you don’t have to substitute one for the other. Why not study both in a combined degree? You’ll find they complement each other in so many ways. What is modern politics anyway but a reflection of yesterday’s political decisions?
Politics and history at Brunel is a dynamic combination of high level study in both subjects. Your politics studies will help you address critical questions like: Who has political power? Why do they have it? And in whose interest do their exercise it? Meanwhile, your studies in history will take you back into the societies of the past in Britain, Europe and the wider world to help you understand contemporary issues all the more. Both subjects will help to demonstrate your intellectual acumen and understanding of world affairs, which will be an asset in so many fields of work.
Whether you’re studying modern Africa, imperialism or intelligence and security, you’ll not just learn about them – you’ll be analysing them using the tools of political science or craft of the historian to help deepen your understanding and critical thinking.
Opt for a placement year and you'll gain work experience that is highly valued by employers. Brunel students have secured placements in the Environmental Audit Committee, the House of Commons, Directorate of Gender Affairs, HM Treasury and the Competition Commission, to name only a few.
It’s a competitive world out there, so you’ll get plenty of support from your lecturers and the University’s Professional Development Centre to help prepare you for your placement year and the world of work.
Why not increase your career options with an accredited journalism course, a free modern language course, or a social media internship? You can even opt to study part of your degree abroad in one of our partner universities in Europe, or participate in an exchange programme to China or the USA.
It’s all available at Brunel to help you make a difference in the world – now and in the future.
Brunel politics and history graduates enter diverse careers. Many of our former students go into politics and the civil service and some are currently at GCHQ and military intelligence. Others work in the public and private sector like the NHS, international banks, business consultancy, law, NGOs and the media.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1
Core
Research Design and Qualitative Methods in Politics
Modern Political Thought
Modern British Politics
The Problem of the Past
Europe in a Global Context
Migration and the Settler World, 1600-1914
Year 2
Core
Comparative Political Institutions
Explaining Politics: Quantitative Political Science in Practice
Historians and their Craft
Optional
Democracy and Democratisation
US Foreign Policy from World War 2 to the end of the Cold War
Issues in American Politics
National Security Intelligence
Ancient Greek Political Thought
Unity and Cultural Diversity
Cinema and Politics
Social Welfare: Politics and Policy
Political Behaviour in Britain
The First World War
Australia and The Modern World
Themes in the History of Modern Africa
The State and Revolution
History of the Women’s Movement in the West, c. 1790-1930
Year 3
Dissertation
Optional
Arab-Israeli Conflict
European Union Politics: Problems and Prospects
Empire, Imperialism and Hegemony
Media, Politics and Power in America
Public Policy Analysis
Parliamentary Studies
Terrorism 1960-2016
Advanced Applied Quantitative Methods
Borders, Nations and Belonging
Researching Contemporary Issues in British Politics
Elections, Parties and Voters in the UK
Slavery and Abolition in the Atlantic World
Marx and the Critique of Political Economy
The Second World War
The British Maritime World, 1660-1815
Crisis and Critique
Violence and Conflict in Eastern Africa
The Creation of the Western Alliance, 1945-1955
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
LVF1
Institution code:
B84
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in an Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
in any subject and an A level at grade B
in a any subject and an A level at grade B
in any subject
in any subject
in any subject with A levels grade BB
in any subject with A levels grade BB
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic)
6.5
with no less than 5.5 in each subsection
Institution's Own Test
with no less than 55% in each subsection
TOEFL (iBT)
92.0
with a minimum of:
Reading - 18
Listening - 17
Speaking - 20
Writing - 17
PTE Academic
58.0
with a minimum of 51 in all subscores
Brunel University London - English Language Requirements