BA Contemporary History and Politics
About this course
BA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations and History, covering modern history and political decision-making. Core topics include Research Methods, Historical Research, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The course includes a 12,000-word research dissertation in the final year. Optional work-based learning placements in the final semester may be undertaken in local archives, museums, or with MPs.
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
GCSE: English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below. UCAS tariff: 104 UCAS points. A level: 104 UCAS points. T level: Merit BTEC: DMM Access to HE: Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 104 UCAS points. Scottish Highers: 104 UCAS points. Irish Leaving Certificate: 104 UCAS points. IB: 30 points. European Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 71% overall.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 98%
- Assessment and feedback: 98%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 65%
- Left higher education: 35%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 25%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 25%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 55%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 5%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Making Public History
- The Cold War
- International History I
- International History II
- International Politics II
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Theories of Power and Domination
- Age of Revolution: International History 1775 - 1914
- Researching in Politics
- Researching in History
- Political Communication: Media and Democracy
- Regimes and Dictatorships from 1918
- US Political History
- Commemoration and Memorialisation from the Twentieth Century to the Present
- Intelligence, Security and Politics in Britain 1909-94
- US Foreign Policy Since 1945
- Dissertation
- Britain and the European Resistance 1939-45
- Chinese Foreign Policy Since 1949
- Corruption in Contemporary Politics
- Intelligence in Practice Since 1945
- International Political Economy
- American Conflict in History and Memory
- Politics and Contemporary History Placement
- Photography and Conflict in the 20th and 21st Centuries
- Social media and politics: digital democracy
- The First World War
- Threats to Democracy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £34,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £5,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford?
The typical offer is 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
Does BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Contemporary History and Politics at University of Salford?
65% of students continued into their second year, and 35% left higher education.