BA (Hons) History and International Relations Bachelor's degree at Manchester Metropolitan University
BA (Hons) History and International Relations at MMU. You'll engage with core historical theory and research methods alongside specialist options in international affairs, applying your learning to contemporary global questions.
About this course
BA (Hons) History and International Relations is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at MMU, based in Main Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Global HistoryCore
- International Governance - Challenges and ConflictCore
- Global Chronicles: the Making of the International OrderCore
- Exploring History: Thematic StudyCore
Year 2 13 modules
- Fit for the FutureCore
- Encountering the Past: Interpreting Primary SourcesCore
- International Relations TheoryCore
- Treasure? Material Culture from Ancient Worlds in Museums and BeyondOptional
- The Power of Protest and Popular CultureOptional
- Social and Public PolicyOptional
- Race and Rights in the Modern WorldOptional
- Pursuing Change: Revolutions, Conflict and Society in the Modern WorldOptional
- King and Country? Power and Identity in Medieval and Early Modern EuropeOptional
- Global Political ThoughtOptional
- Gender, Race and SexualityOptional
- Critical Perspectives on War and SecurityOptional
- Comparative and Regional PoliticsOptional
Year 3 18 modules
- History and International Relations Independent ProjectCore
- Research Methods and PracticeCore
- Critical Political ThoughtOptional
- Divided World: Cold War HistoriesOptional
- Information and SecurityOptional
- Living and Dying in the Ancient WorldOptional
- Transatlantic Foreign PolicyOptional
- Travellers' Tales: Migration, Encounters and Conflict in the Medieval and Early Modern MediterraneanOptional
- Asia and Africa Since 1750: Empires, Decolonisation and GlobalisationOptional
- The Politics of Climate Change and SustainabilityOptional
- The American Century: The United States, C. 1900-2000Optional
- Sex, Deviance and Power: Gender and Sexuality in Historical PerspectiveOptional
- Public and Social Policy AnalysisOptional
- Postcolonial Perspectives: Decolonising NarrativesOptional
- New Worlds: Overseas Colonisation, Globalisation and Changing Lives, 1400-1800Optional
- Modern Britain and IrelandOptional
- EU In TurmoilOptional
- Ancient EmpiresOptional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study history and international relations together, examining how societies, states and empires have developed and interconnected across time. A course like this typically moves from foundations, learning how historians use sources and archives, through broad surveys of medieval, early modern and modern worlds, then into focused specialisms. You'll usually explore periods or themes such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural approaches, public history and heritage, or archival research through primary documents. In later stages, you progress to advanced studies, specialist options and an original dissertation based on your own research. Throughout, you'll develop skills in interpreting competing historical arguments and understanding how history is presented and used beyond the university.
Who it's for
You're drawn to understanding how the past informs global politics and conflict today. You have a strong interest in history alongside curiosity about international affairs, and you're comfortable asking difficult questions about power, evidence and interpretation. Part-time study suits your circumstances, whether you're balancing other commitments or prefer a flexible pace. You'll thrive if you're a careful reader, enjoy analytical writing, and want to apply historical insight to real-world questions rather than study history in isolation.
Careers & job market
Across History graduates nationally, 85% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £23,500–£31,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £25,500–£36,000 after five years. Graduates pursue careers in policy analysis, heritage organisations, the civil service, law, teaching, journalism and international NGOs, as well as postgraduate research.
University & format
This BA (Hons) is studied part-time at Manchester Metropolitan University, a public university on its Main Campus. Teaching is in English. The course leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree. Manchester Metropolitan University holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code VL18). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at MMU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £24,500 – £35,000 | 1465 |
| 3 years after | £18,000 | £9,000 – £22,500 | 15 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,465. Cohort 2021-22.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs History nationally
National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 3-year median earnings compare with History courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Museums & archives
- Heritage bodies
- Schools
- Civil service & media
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit History graduates.
History & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingChartereastdulwichHistory & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingThe Charter Schools Educational TrustHistory Teachers in Kirklees and HalifaxCV-LibraryHistory TeachersSABIS NETWORK SCHOOLSIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.2 out of 10: NSS 81.9%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Main Campus
8 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is History right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to MMU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by MMU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check MMU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with MMU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at MMU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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