BA History and Politics at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This joint honours BA combines History and Politics, showing how political theory and historical inquiry together explain political developments including those in the contemporary world. Students are taught historical sources in small-group tutorials from Level 1, and the politics group is the largest in Ireland. Internships with Stormont, the Police Ombudsman, the BBC and local organisations are available, with students seconded three days a week.

Department: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules include Exploring History 1 and 2, Perspectives on Politics and Contemporary Europe; options include Comparative Politics, World Politics, Introduction to Politics, Revolutions and The Long Road to Black Lives Matter.

Career pathways

The programme develops analytical skills for policy-making, government, politics and further study through MA, MPhil or PhD; Queen's is ranked 9th in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2025).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer ABB at A-level (a maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate is accepted, with a Distinction* equated to A and a Distinction to B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3. Access Course: average of 70%. International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level. BTEC Extended Diploma: overall D*DD. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree. There are no specific Level 3 subject requirements to study History and Politics. All applicants need GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent; applicants offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 must have or be able to achieve at least 5 GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better including English Language. Offers are normally made on three A-levels; HNC applicants need 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits. Applicants are not normally interviewed. Selection is on the UCAS form. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component or an equivalent qualification; the International Study Centre offers foundation and pre-sessional English routes.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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