Modern History and Politics BA

Cardiff University

By combining Modern History and Politics, you will gain a wealth of skills and knowledge, opening the doors to a variety of career paths. The time spent on each subject is shared, allowing you to study Politics, while exploring and understanding key moments in history.

As part of this degree, you will benefit from a generous choice of optional modules on historical and political themes which are central to an understanding of public life in the modern world.

The modules in History develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural structures of past societies. Our expertise reaches an extraordinary breadth of societies, periods and places, spanning the British Isles, Europe (east and west), Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Our modules give you the opportunity to study both well-established areas, such as political, social, cultural and gender history, or explore areas that might be new to you, such as environmental history or digital history.

The field of Politics allows you to explore how parliaments and government’s function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom, democracy, conflict, legitimacy or accountability as well as incorporating international relations. Modules are varied, allowing you to explore how politics works in Britain and further afield as well as investigate how public policy is made. Other strands of work discuss justice, democracy, human rights and international relations; providing you with a broad understanding of politics tailored to your own particular needs.

Through our degree you will develop the skills so advantageous in our digital age: creativity, empathy, critical thinking, persuasive communication skills and the ability to challenge and question.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

Global Relevance

Take modules with a wide global coverage and chronological depth which speak to world issues from social inequality and community belonging to the environment and inclusion.

Understand the modern world

Explore a range of questions that are critical to our understanding of the contemporary and historical world.

Learn from experts

Benefit from the teaching and support of research-active staff as you explore the history and politics of societies in diverse parts of the globe, including Europe, China, India and Russia.

Study Britain and beyond

Explore politics in Britain & further afield as well as the influence of multi-national organisations.

Links to political institutions

Benefit from links to Westminster parliament, Senedd Cymru, the European Union and NATO.

Placement opportunities

Gain skills, confidence and connections through a variety of opportunities to engage with communities and other partners.