History, Politics and International Relations

UCAS code: LVF2

Here's what De Montfort University says about its History, Politics and International Relations course.

Our programme is diverse, international in focus and innovative. We will teach you the skills for effective research and analysis, helping to hone your ability to absorb, communicate and critically analyse complex information.

Reflecting the globalised world we live in, the History curriculum covers a wide range of modern and contemporary European and non-European histories, exploring topics such as colonialism, decolonisation, immigration, ethnic minorities, racism and gender.

You will also gain an understanding of the role politics plays at local, national and global levels and explore the crucial issues in contemporary international politics that are impacting our world. Our research-informed curriculum provides both the practical tools and the theoretical knowledge to understand a wide range of political issues and respond to the current social, political and economic challenges.

As you progress through the course, we’ll challenge you with more in-depth explorations, and the subject matter will become increasingly complex. You can choose to specialise in either History, Politics or International Relations. You’ll be supported by a passionate teaching team who provide a dynamic learning environment and whose national and international expertise is embedded within the curriculum.

Key features

• Combine the study of history with politics and international relations modules, enhancing your employability across three disciplines and preparing you for diverse career paths.

• Explore distinctive areas such as photographic history, the history of sport and leisure, war and conflict, migration, ethnicity, and racism.

• Choose to specialise in your area of interest: History, Politics or International Relations, tailoring your degree to your personal goals and passions.

• Develop a wide range of transferable skills by learning how to research and communicate complex information effectively, preparing you for postgraduate study or employment across various sectors. Our graduates use these skills to forge successful careers across a range of professions including teaching, the law, marketing and the heritage and museum sector.

• Benefit from expert teaching delivered by our team of renowned academics, as well as gain wider knowledge and insight through organised trips to archives and museums such as The National Archives in London.

• DMU is the only university in the UK to hold both ‘Congress to Campus’ and ‘European Parliament to Campus’ events, featuring visits from prominent political figures to enhance your study experience.

• Apply your skills in a real-world context through a placement. Previous students have gained professional experience at a large regional newspaper, Leicester’s award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre, the House of Commons and local governments.

• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

First year Block 1: Ideas and Change Block 2: Journeys and Places Block 3: Global Challenges Block 4: Ideology, War and Society in the 20th century

Second year Block 1: Global Cold War Block 2: Exploring Work and Society Block 3: Not in Westminster OR Global Political Economy Block 4: Investigating the Past: Theory and Method OR Political Research in Action

Third year Block 1: Special subject Block 2: Empire and its Aftermath OR Decolonising Politics Block 3: Tackling Global Crises Block 4: History OR Politics Dissertation

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview Teaching is interactive and engaging, encouraging you to develop your own thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints. Throughout the course, key skills essential for historical study and the modern workplace are cultivated.

Modules are designed to enhance the abilities needed to become an effective historian, from analysis and research to reasoning and evaluation. These modules also help develop skills and characteristics that boost employability across a wide range of careers.

Taught by experts in the field, the history staff are nationally and internationally recognised for the quality of their teaching and research.

Assessment methods are varied and include pair and group work, primary source analysis, presentations, portfolios, podcasts or videos, essay writing, exams, and individual project work, culminating in a dissertation. Assessments build on each other as the course progresses, with regular opportunities for feedback. This diverse range of assessment types allows you to develop your individual strengths while building skills in creativity, project management, teamwork, verbal communication, writing for various audiences, and the use of different technologies.

Contact hours You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, group work, and self-directed study. You will normally attend around 9 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 28 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.