BA (Hons) History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad Bachelor's degree at UCL
BA (Hons) History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad at UCL. History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad brings together the histories, political systems and societies of North, Central and South America, studied side by side rather than treated as separate national stories.
About this course
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BA (Hons) History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at UCL, based in London. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Politics graduates from this provider, 91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (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)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 91% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; 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 2 modules
- Encountering the Americas: Key Themes and ConceptsCompulsory
- Introduction to PoliticsCompulsory
Year 2 19 modules
- Research MethodsCompulsory
- The Making of Modern America: The United States since 1920Optional
- London and the United States: The Difference a City MakesOptional
- Intimate Matters: Histories of Sexuality in the U.S. and Beyond, 1945-presentOptional
- Pivotal Decade: The 1970s in US political, social, cultural and economic historyOptional
- The Caribbean in the Shadow of the North: Caribbean-US Relations in the Twentieth CenturyOptional
- The United States and the Cold WarOptional
- History and Politics of Latin America c.1930 to the PresentOptional
- The Haitian RevolutionOptional
- Latin American RevolutionsOptional
- Commodities and Communities in Latin American and Caribbean HistoryOptional
- Contested Bodies: Medicine and Health Politics in the United StatesOptional
- Shadows of the Soul: Photography and the Construction of Race in the U.S., 1860 to 1980Optional
- History of Latin America c.1830-c.1930Optional
- Protest Politics in the USA from the New Deal to TrumpOptional
- Politics of the United States: Processes and InstitutionsOptional
- Gender, Politics and Society of the AmericasOptional
- Power and Politics in Everyday Life: Topics in the Anthropology of Latin AmericaOptional
- The Political Ecology of Development in Latin AmericaOptional
Year 3 1 modules
- History and Politics of the Americas Study Abroad YearCompulsory
Year 4 7 modules
- Contemporary Issues in the AmericasCompulsory
- Human Rights in the AmericasOptional
- Political Economy of Inequality in the AmericasOptional
- Out of the Closet: US Sexual Politics since the Great DepressionOptional
- Voting in the AmericasOptional
- Race and Resistance in Black Atlantic ThoughtOptional
- Representing the Past: Museums, Heritage and Public HistoryOptional
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
The degree moves you from foundational knowledge towards independent, self-directed work. Early study builds core theory in history and political analysis, alongside training in research & methods so you can interrogate primary sources, archives and political data with confidence. As you progress, applied practice modules ask you to put that theory to use on real historical and political questions, while specialist options let you follow particular threads, such as revolutionary movements, state-building, migration or inter-American relations, depending on what's on offer in a given year. The year abroad sits within this structure as an extended period of study in the Americas, deepening your language, cultural and regional knowledge in ways that classroom teaching alone can't. In your final year, an independent project gives you the chance to design and carry out a substantial piece of research on a topic of your own choosing, supported by staff with relevant expertise. Throughout, professional skills modules help you translate academic strengths, such as analysis, writing, argument and evidence-handling, into skills that transfer well beyond a history classroom.
Who it's for
This course suits someone genuinely curious about how societies across the Americas have been shaped by politics, conflict, migration and ideas, and who wants to understand these countries in relation to each other rather than in isolation. You'll enjoy it if you like reading widely, forming arguments from evidence, and are comfortable with the ambiguity that comes with studying contested histories and live political questions. A degree of independence matters here: much of your learning, especially in the final-year project and during the year abroad, depends on your own initiative, curiosity and organisation. If the idea of living and studying in another country for a year excites rather than unsettles you, and you're willing to adapt to unfamiliar academic systems and everyday life abroad, that's a strong sign this is the right fit. It also suits students who want their history studies to speak directly to contemporary political debates, whether that's about democracy, inequality, identity or international relations, rather than staying purely in the past. Most students on this course arrive with A-levels or equivalent, with UCAS tariffs typically in the 176–191 range among recent entrants, though these reflect what students had rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
History graduates nationally tend to move into varied career paths, and the skills built here, such as research, analysis, writing and cross-cultural understanding, are valued across many sectors, not just history-specific roles. Nationally, across History courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 55% of those working are in roles classed as highly skilled work or further study. National Graduate Outcomes data show starting salaries (15 months after graduating) ranging from £23,500 to £31,000, though these figures span the whole graduate population on History courses and aren't specific to this university or guaranteed for any individual. Looking further out, national earnings data show a range of £20,400 to £28,800 after three years and £25,500 to £36,000 after five years, again as a national picture rather than a promise. The year abroad component adds an international dimension to your CV that may be relevant for roles involving international relations, diplomacy, policy work, journalism or further academic study focused on the Americas, alongside the broader range of paths open to history and politics graduates.
University & format
This is a four-year, full-time course delivered in English at UCL, based in London. UCL is a Russell Group, research-intensive higher education institution founded in 1826, with a total student body of around 23,250. The university holds a Silver award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality, and its degrees are recognised nationally. Around 90% of students on courses at this level continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed.
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.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
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 T7V2). 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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 UCL →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 | £32,000 | £29,000 – £38,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £33,500 | £27,500 – £46,500 | 20 |
| 5 years after | £48,000 | £33,000 – £65,500 | 20 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-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.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Media ProfessionalsSOC 2020 249 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,895
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 115; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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
91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.8 out of 10: NSS 89.4% · in work or study 91% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University College London
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 London
12,829 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 UCL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by UCL; 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 UCL’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 UCL and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at UCL
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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