History and Politics

Studying history and politics together should provide you with a more robust understanding of each area, aiming to deepen your understanding of past events, political actions and lessons learned through history.

Our highly-accomplished and multidisciplinary teaching team includes respected authors and experts in the politics and history of Britain, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, Africa and North America. They will aim to share knowledge of security studies, social theory, development, peace studies, foreign policy analysis, national and international politics and the history of international political thought.

Past students have explored some of the 20th century’s most defining historical events – from women’s suffrage in Britain to the American civil rights movement. We aim to examine the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems, use and abuse of power, democracy, human rights and more.

We have maintained a close relationship with the local city council and the Houses of Parliament, organising a range of guest talks from the people involved in contemporary politics and international relations. This has previously included British MPs, high commissioners from African states and speakers from major global corporations. Recent topics have included ‘Britain and the EU’, ‘Women in Politics’ and ‘Ethnic Diversity in Politics’.

You'll also have the option to spend a year on professional placement, applying your academic skills within the workplace and potentially gain valuable work experience.* Past students have spent time within an MP’s office, working for local government, for historical societies like The Herbert Art Gallery and organisations such as The British Council.

The course aims to provide an excellent foundation to students help and support them with pursuing their own careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors within a range of areas like local administration, communications, diplomacy, intelligence, development or international organisations.

*Placement years are subject to additional costs, application, meeting applicable visa requirements and availability. Further costs incurred as a result of the professional work placement or study abroad shall be borne by the student.

Key Course Benefits:

* Spend a year studying abroad – we have links with universities in France, Germany and Sweden.

* Our teaching staff include a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

* A wide range of optional modules allow you to study specific political movements, such as the green movement or Far Right, periods of history like post-war Germany or specific issues like feminism or global organised crime.

* Coventry University has excellent employer links with the House of Commons, the National Crime Agency (NCA), local government, local and national NGOs and charities, the Archives and Records Association, the Museums Association, the institute of Historic Building Conservation.

* You could join our active student-led History, International Relations, Politics and Sociology Society (HIPSOC), which has organised fieldtrips to Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico to visit the institutions of the EU, the International Criminal Court and Greenpeace Costa Rica.

* We aim to provide you with extensive placement opportunities, for example, placements have previously included local government for the council, MP and MEP offices, commercial firms like City Year, First Utility and GE Alstrom, organisations like University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, The Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Coventry University, Food Bank and MIND and local heritage sites like Coventry Cathedral and museums.