BA International History and Politics
About this course
BA in International History and Politics, a history degree centred on modern and contemporary world affairs from the late nineteenth century to the present. Core topics include Research Methods. Compulsory modules provide a grounding in key historical periods, while optional modules allow students to tailor their studies in each year. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Skills and Concepts in International History, International History, 1919-1989: Conflict, Co-operation and Change, International Politics, and Consensus and Contention: Investigations in International History, with optional topics available in global empires and decolonization. The second year develops source work through compulsory modules including Documents and Debates in International History and International History and Politics Long Essay, alongside optional choices spanning African history, modern Japan, and US foreign policy. The final year culminates in independent research through the compulsory International History and Politics Dissertation and Public History Project modules. Optional modules in the final year allow further study in areas such as European great power politics, total warfare, and regional conflicts.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA EPQ: AAB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall with 17 at Higher Level
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA International History and Politics (VL22) at the University of Leeds for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
What students say
Based on about 31 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 90 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 38 graduates who answered
- Working: 67%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 320 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 21%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 39%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 90 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Skills and Concepts in International History
- International History, 1919-1989: Conflict, Co-operation and Change
- International Politics
- Consensus and Contention: Investigations in International History
- Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750
- Global Empires
- Global Decolonization
- The Making of the Twentieth Century
- Documents and Debates in International History
- International History and Politics Long Essay
- Towards the Future: Skills in Context
- Imperial Germany 1871-1918
- Digital Methods for History, Art and Literature
- The History of Africa since 1900
- Modern Hatreds: The Destruction of Yugoslavia and its Aftermath, 1991-2001
- Archive Intelligence: Unlocking the Archive
- Thinking about History
- Histories of Black Britain
- Legal Fictions of Slavery, A Documentary
- Slavery Studies Through Autobiography
- Public History and Popular Culture
- The Rise of Modern Japan: From the Meiji Restoration to the Present Day.
- Mao Zedong and Modern China, 1949-Present
- The Global Cold War
- US Foreign Policy in a Changing World: the End of the Cold War, the Age of Terror, and the Resurgence of a Multipolar Order?
- From Versailles to Potsdam: Conferences, Crises and Conflicts, 1919-45
- The International History of the Middle East
- International History and Politics Dissertation
- Public History Project
- Twentieth Century Southeast Asia: From Empire to Independence
- Europe in an Age of Total Warfare
- The Korean War
- The Breaking of Contemporary Britain: Challenges from the Post-War Period
- The Iron Lady Abroad: Margaret Thatcher and UK Foreign Policy from 1979
- The World of Terror
- 'Parasites' and 'Cockroaches': Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide in the Modern World
- Doomed to Failure? European Great Power Politics from Bismarck to the Outbreak of World War I
- Nazism, Stalinism and the Rise of the Total State
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £45,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 151 UCAS points.
Does BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA International History and Politics at University of Leeds?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.