History and Politics BA

at University of Sheffield

First year

For history, the first year programme is designed to help you to make the transition from studying History at school or college to studying it at degree level. Building your confidence and broadening your knowledge.

It introduces you to core academic skills and provides a solid grounding in historical study and research, giving you the foundations you'll need to deepen your understanding of historical events and processes throughout your degree and setting you off on the path to becoming an independent historian.

Our first year history option modules introduce you to our main areas of teaching and research and give you insight into what you can study in the coming years, so that you can better shape your degree to your individual interests.

You will take one core module and have 40 credits available to use on option modules.

For politics, your first year is made up of core modules and two optional modules from the table below.

History core module:

• History Workshop

Second year

For history, the second year programme builds on what you’ve learnt so far and introduces you to new and exciting topics. It’s designed to help you hone your research skills and start to look outwards beyond your degree.

You'll choose from two core modules designed to enhance your independent research skills with a focus on ‘theory and practice’, reflecting on the intellectual development of our discipline and its place in the world today. You’ll learn to challenge assumptions and appreciate the bigger picture. If you choose to take the Uses of History, you'll also diversify your employability skills through group work and creating a pitch for a historical artefact such as a TV documentary, a podcast, or a journal article.

These modules will lay the groundwork for the in-depth research involved in our final year special subject and dissertation modules.

Our wide range of option modules mean you can explore key periods, themes and events in history and develop your knowledge and interests ahead of choosing a specialist topic in your final year. 

You'll normally take one core module and two option modules.

For politics, your second year is made up two optional modules.

History core modules:

20 credits each. Dual students will choose one of two core modules.

• Historians and History
• The Uses of History

Third year

For history, the final year is designed to support you to become an expert in your chosen area and hone how you present your findings.  

All students have the opportunity to take a Special Subject and a dissertation, as we think that they are important staples of a history degree. These modules are where you can focus on one of the areas of history that you're most passionate about and have the opportunity to become an expert in your chosen topic. You’ll use the academic skills and historical knowledge you’ve gained in years one and two to undertake focussed primary source research supported by one of our internationally renowned tutors.

Our thematic modules give you the opportunity to enhance your ability to look at history from different perspectives: you'll engage with the study of change over time and consider the comparative dimensions of a topic across time and space.

While our presentation module offers you the chance to further develop your employability skills by creating a digital artefact, such as a video presentation, podcast, virtual exhibition or dynamic poster, designed to communicate your research to a non-specialist audience.

You will normally take 60 credits in history.

For politics, you choose one from:

• Dissertation in Politics and one taught module
• Research project and two taught modules.

History option module examples:

20 credits each.

• Short Dissertation
• Making History Public

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB typically including A in History or Classical Civilisation

A Levels + additional qualifications ABB, typically including A in History or Classical Civilisation + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB, typically including A in History or Classical Civilisation + B in Comre Maths

International Baccalaureate 34, typically with 6 in Higher Level History

BTEC Extended Diploma DDM + A at A Level typically in History or Classical Civilisation

BTEC Diploma DD + A at A Level typically in History or Classical Civilisation

Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher AAABB + A typically in History

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AA, typically including History or Classical Civilisation

Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction (to include History units), and 9 at Merit

Other requirements

• GCSE Maths grade 4/C

English language requirements  
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Home students
£9,250 annual tuition fee

Overseas students
£20,000 annual tuition fee

Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Our history graduates are highly skilled in research, critical reasoning and communication. You'll be able to think and write coherently, to put specific matters in a broader context, and to summarise complex ideas in a discerning and creative way.

Our graduates have gone on to become successful lawyers, marketing executives, civil servants, accountants, management consultants, university lecturers, archivists, librarians and workers in museums, tourism and the heritage industry.

So, however you choose to use your degree, the combination of academic excellence and personal skills developed and demonstrated on your course will make you stand out in an increasingly competitive graduate world.

Companies that have employed our graduates include Accenture, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and DLA Piper. You'll also find our graduates in organisations ranging from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the Imperial War Museum and the National Archives, to BBC online and The Guardian.