Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/history-politics-ba-vl12/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

History and Politics

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Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : ABB

Attendance : 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : VL12

Overview
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This programme provides students with an intellectual training in the mutually enriching disciplines of History and Politics. A key premise of the programme is that understanding the present and anticipating the future requires the ability to study and interpret the past and to appreciate how the insights of political theory and the tools of historical inquiry combine to illuminate political developments, including those in the contemporary world.

Both History and Politics at Queen’s have been placed in the QS World University Rankings top 200 departments in the world for these subjects in 2025.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

This programme offers students opportunities to travel and study at universities in Europe and North America. Short-term (two weeks) and longer-term (up to one academic year) exchanges are on offer.\ \ Possible examples include:\ • George Washington University (Washington DC, USA)\ • Aarhus Universitet (Denmark)\ • College of Charleston (South Carolina, USA)\ • Institut d’Etudes Politques de Bordeaux (France)\ • University of Oslo (Norway)\ • Universiteit Utrecht (Netherlands)\ • Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee, USA)\ \ Field trips may also be offered in particular years or as part of certain modules.

Industry Links

The programme's internship scheme involves work placements with a range of government agencies and political parties at Stormont, as well as the Police Ombudsman, the BBC and local non-governmental agencies and consultancies, vital work experience and exposure to the world of policy-making. Students spend three days a week seconded to an organisation, gaining direct experience of policy-making and political decision-making.

Northern Ireland's post-conflict society offers a globally-significant location for studying politics, and discipline has strong links with local government, non-governmental organisations, and museums.

Career Development

Understanding the present and anticipating the future requires the ability to study and interpret the past as a means to understanding the present. This programme enables students to appreciate how historical events shape modern issues and how such themes are to be understood and explained through insights into political analysis (e.g. political theory, political institutions, international relations).

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025).

World Class Facilities

Queen’s is one of the top 10 most beautiful universities in the UK (Times Higher Education, 2023).

Internationally Renowned Experts

With over 30 staff at the cutting edge of research and publication, the Politics and IR unit at Queen’s is the largest in Ireland and one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, with specialisms in democratic innocations, environmental politics, Irish and British politics, political theory, public policy, energy and sustainable development, the politics of film and literature, gender, European Union politics, ethnic conflict, and international relations.

Student Experience

Even at Level 1, students are taught to analyse historical sources in small-group tutorials by permanent, research-active historians.

Our uniquely supportive pastoral care/ personal tutor system is equalled only by the academic guidance available.

Our vibrant Politics Society (Polysoc) and History Society provide a welcome and stimulating environment for new students.

Politics was ranked joint 1st in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide 2021).

Queen’s currently has over 4400 international students from over 90 different countries (Queen’s Planning Office, 2024).

Further Study Opportunities

For those wishing to pursue further study after their first degree, the School provides a range of MA programmes, each of which can be taken either full-time (one year) or part-time (two years). There are also opportunities to do an MPhil or PhD by thesis; see the School website for information.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/happ/student-experience/ma-experience/

“I enjoy the way we are taught through lectures and tutorials where we are given an overview of a topic, able to research more for ourselves, and then debate with our peers in tutorial sessions. The School is very open to the input of students and I enjoy the level of student engagement through societies and student-staff consultative committees.”\ Jessica Simonds, Colwyn Bay, Wales 3rd Year, BA Politics

“I was delighted to be awarded the Martin Lynn Memorial Prize for first year History at Queen’s. The course has enabled me explore and develop many new areas of history and I look forward to continuing my studies.”\ Mark Jose, Cambridgeshire, England 2nd Year, BA Single Honours History

“I enjoy the way we are taught through lectures and tutorials where we are given an overview of a topic, able to research more for ourselves, and then debate with our peers in tutorial sessions. The School is very open to the input of students and I enjoy the level of student engagement through societies and student-staff consultative committees.”\ Jessica Simonds, Colwyn Bay, Wales 3rd Year, BA Politics

“I was delighted to be awarded the Martin Lynn Memorial Prize for first year History at Queen’s. The course has enabled me explore and develop many new areas of history and I look forward to continuing my studies.”\ Mark Jose, Cambridgeshire, England 2nd Year, BA Single Honours History

NEXT \ Course content

[##### Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.](https://virtualexperience.qub.ac.uk/)

[##### Undergraduate Events

Join us for an insight into life at Queen's and advice on your journey to university.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/events/)

[##### Your Future Career

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/)

[##### Student Accommodation

The most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/)

Course location

History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics

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