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BA History and Politics, /

Swansea University

About this course

BA History and Politics is a history and politics degree combining the study of political systems, institutions and philosophy with historical periods and societies. Core topics include Research Methods and Policy Analysis. The course is delivered through a structured combination of compulsory modules and flexible option choices across three years. The first year introduces the discipline through compulsory modules such as Interpreting Politics: The Faces and Uses of Power and Freedom Justice and Equality: Key Debates in Political Philosophy. The second year builds core knowledge with modules including The State and Political Institutions, The Practice of History, and The History of Political Thought. In the final year, students complete compulsory study in Researching Politics 1 alongside optional choices spanning global politics, historical events, and philosophical traditions, with options including History Dissertation and Dissertation.

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.

Institution
Swansea University
Level
undergraduate
Subject
History and Politics, BA (Hons) / BA
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
LV21
Median salary
£26,500 after 5 years

See the highest paying Social Sciences degrees in the UK →

See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →

What students say

Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Teaching on my course: 92%
  • Learning opportunities: 83%
  • Assessment and feedback: 95%
  • Academic support: 96%
  • Organisation and management: 100%
  • Learning resources: 97%
  • Student voice: 83%

Do students stay on the course?

Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Continued on course: 90%
  • Left higher education: 15%

What graduates do next

Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Working: 70%
  • Working and studying: 10%
  • Further study: 5%
  • Unemployed: 5%

Most common jobs

  • Administrative occupations: 20%
  • Natural and social science professionals: 10%
  • Elementary occupations: 10%
  • Sales occupations: 10%
  • Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
  • Find their work meaningful: 70%
  • Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
  • Use what they learnt on the course: 30%

Where graduates work (5 years on)

Based on about 245 graduates, across similar courses at this university

  • North West: 2%
  • Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
  • East Midlands: 2%
  • West Midlands: 7%
  • East of England: 4%
  • London: 8%
  • South East: 11%
  • South West: 16%
  • Wales: 48%

Who gets in

Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • A levels: 95%
  • Other HE qualification: 5%

Modules

  • Interpreting Politics: The Faces and Uses of Power
  • Freedom Justice and Equality: Key Debates in Political Philosophy
  • From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century
  • O Ffeithiau i Newyddion Ffug: Bod yn Hanesydd yn yr Unfed Ganrif ar Hugain
  • Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present
  • Creu Ewrop Fodern, 1789 hyd y Presennol
  • Global Challenges and the Historian
  • Heriau Byd-eang a'r Hanesydd
  • Disinformation, Ideology, and Bias: Researching and examining political data
  • The Colour Line: Race and Racism in World Politics
  • Critical Reasoning
  • The State and Political Institutions
  • The Practice of History
  • The History of Political Thought
  • America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania from William Penn to Donald Trump, 1631-2016
  • The Making of Transatlantic America
  • The Heirs of Rome: The Making of Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam in the Early Middle Ages, 400-800
  • Rhyfel Cartref America
  • Europe 1500-1650: Renaissance, Reformation and Religious War
  • Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain
  • The Anglo-Norman World, 1066-1225
  • Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-1955
  • The Past in the Present: Exploring Heritage Practice and Debates
  • Medicine and the Modern World, 1800 to the Present
  • Britain in the Early Middle Ages: Slavery, Dragons, Queens and Vikings
  • History Work Placement
  • The Story of America on Film and Television, 1607-1867
  • Stori America Ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1607-1867
  • The Rise and Fall of the Russian Empire
  • The Global First World War
  • Philosophy of the Enlightenment
  • Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations
  • America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump
  • Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation
  • Investigating Gender
  • Devolution, Policy Making and Social Change
  • Poverty and Social Justice
  • A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy
  • Contemporary Moral Controversies
  • International Security
  • Global Summit Simulation
  • Contemporary Wars and Conflicts
  • British Politics and Public Policy
  • The Global South in International Relations: Diplomacy, Development, and Resistance
  • Researching Politics 1
  • History Dissertation
  • Monarchy: Ancient and Medieval
  • The Russian Civil War
  • The Lights that Failed: the League of Nations and International Peace 1919 -1939
  • The Hungry World: Food, Famine and the End of Empire, 1880-1945
  • The Placing of History: Digitally Mapping the Historic Past
  • The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865-2008
  • Stori yr Unol Daleithiau ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1865-2008
  • From Machiavelli to Mussolini: Government and Society in Western Political Thought
  • The American Civil War in History and Memory
  • Y Rhyfel Mawr trwy lygaid y Cymry
  • The Reign of King John, 1199-1216: Misrule and Magna Carta
  • The First Crusade: Devotion, Piety and Power in the Latin Christian World
  • A History of Sex and Gender
  • The Cold War
  • The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939
  • Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness
  • Parliamentary Studies
  • Capitalism and Justice
  • Genocide
  • Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism
  • The Philosophy and Politics of Identity
  • Digital Futures
  • Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump
  • Researching Politics 2
  • America and the Bomb
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • Dissertation
  • Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament

Questions about this course

How much do graduates of BA History and Politics, / at Swansea University earn?

The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £21,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 and £32,000. The £26,500 median after five years is £7,500 less than the UK median for Politics.

What do graduates of BA History and Politics, / at Swansea University 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 History and Politics, / at Swansea University?

92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.

What grades do I need for BA History and Politics, / at Swansea University?

The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.

How many students continue on BA History and Politics, / at Swansea University?

90% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.