University of Cambridge · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) History with Politics Bachelor's degree at the University of Cambridge
BA (Hons) History with Politics at University of Cambridge. Studying History with Politics here means moving between two connected disciplines rather than sitting within one fixed syllabus.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Explore both history and politics, choosing from options such as American history, political thought and international relations. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) History with Politics is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Cambridge. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Politics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £31,000. (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.
8.8
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong78
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)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional100
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (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 (Part IA) 4 modules
- History Outline paperCore
Module details
One from a wide range of options, typically including papers on British, European, American, and Global history
- The Modern State and its AlternativesCore
- International Conflict, Order and JusticeCore
- Evidence and ArgumentCore
Module details
Core interdisciplinary paper
Year 2 (Part IB) 4 modules
- International Organisation or Comparative PoliticsCore
- History of Political ThoughtCore
- History Topic paperCore
Module details
From a variety of options reflecting the diverse research interests of the History Faculty
- Long essayCore
Module details
Up to 5,000 words on a question drawn from a wide range of subjects in History and Politics
Year 3 (Part II) 4 modules
- Politics and International Relations papersOptional
Module details
Shared with Human, Social, and Political Sciences
- History Special Subjects and Advanced Topic papersOptional
- DissertationOptional
Module details
10,000 words on a topic of your choice within the scope of the course. Can replace one of the 3 papers.
- Theory and Practice in History and PoliticsCore
Module details
Engages with key issues such as technology, inequality, power, and war
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 course structure moves you through core theory before building towards more applied and specialist work. Early study establishes grounding in historical and political ideas, alongside research and methods training that equips you to work with primary sources, data and argument in a disciplined way. As you progress, you'll turn to applied practice and specialist options, choosing from areas such as American history, political thought and international relations, allowing you to weight your studies towards whichever combination of historical periods and political questions interests you most. Later stages typically involve an independent project, giving you the chance to research a question of your own choosing in depth, supported by staff with relevant expertise. Professional skills are woven through the degree too, helping you build the kind of analytical writing, argument construction and independent research abilities that are transferable well beyond either subject. Because the course sits across two disciplines, you'll regularly be asked to draw connections, testing political theory against historical case studies, or examining how past political decisions shaped the events historians study, rather than treating the two as separate boxes to tick.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who's genuinely curious about why things happened the way they did, and who also wants to understand how power, institutions and ideas operate today. If you enjoy reading widely, forming your own arguments, and then testing those arguments against evidence and counter-evidence, you'll find plenty of scope here. It particularly rewards students who like the idea of choosing their own specialist areas rather than following a single fixed track, someone drawn to, say, American history one term and international relations the next, without needing to commit permanently to either. You should be comfortable with a significant amount of independent reading and writing, since much of the value of the degree comes from developing your own interpretations rather than simply absorbing set material. It also suits those who enjoy discussion and debate, as seminars and supervisions will regularly ask you to defend your reasoning. Most students who take this route have typically arrived with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, sitting around the 160–175 UCAS tariff points, though this reflects the profile of recent entrants rather than a fixed requirement. If you're someone who wants a degree that keeps two active, connected fields in view, rather than narrowing early into one, this combination is worth serious consideration.
Careers & job market
History and history-related degrees lead graduates into a genuinely broad range of destinations, and combining history with politics tends to widen that further rather than narrow it. Nationally, across History courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 55% of those in work classified as being in highly skilled roles or further study. Nationally reported earnings data (not specific to this university, and not a guarantee of what any individual will earn) shows starting salaries in the region of £23,500 to £31,000 at 15 months after graduating, £20,400 to £28,800 after three years, and £25,500 to £36,000 after five years. These figures vary considerably by sector, role and individual circumstances, and should be read as a general national picture rather than an outcome tied to this specific course. Graduates from history and politics backgrounds often move into areas such as public policy, research, journalism, law, the civil service or further academic study, drawing on the analytical and communication skills developed through independent research and argument-based assessment. Nationally, 90% of students on History courses continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, which gives some indication of course engagement and retention across the discipline more broadly.
University & format
The course is delivered full-time over three years in English, leading to a BA (Hons), UCAS code VL12. It's offered by a public university and Russell Group member, founded in 1209, with a total student body of 18,977 across all courses. The institution was and holds a Gold rating in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, and it's worth checking the institution's own funding pages for current details, as eligibility and amounts vary. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, qualifications gained here carry national recognition.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent89% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Cambridge's official course page for the current offer.
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 | 89% |
| a Baccalaureate | 8% |
| another higher-education qualification | 3% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
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.
Apply by15 October 2026, 18:00 UK timeearlier deadline for this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeVL12quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code VL12). 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 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results 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.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Cambridge whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Cambridge →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
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.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Cambridge funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
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 | £31,000 | £28,000 – £36,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £34,000 | £28,000 – £44,000 | 50 |
| 5 years after | £47,000 | £33,000 – £67,000 | 50 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
85%
in work or further study 15 months on
95%
in highly skilled work or study
100%
continue past their first year
85%
find their work meaningful
100%
say work fits their future plans
- 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
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£31,000
£23,500 – £31,000After 3 years LEO
£34,000
£20,400 – £28,800After 5 years LEO
£47,000
£25,500 – £36,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,500 – £49,000
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.
85 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
60% working10% working and studying10% in further study95% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. 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.
This course £47,000Peer median £30,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
99th percentile
Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
University of CambridgeBA (Hons) Archaeology£47,000University of St AndrewsMA (Hons) Ancient History & Archaeology and Social Anthropology£47,000University of St AndrewsMA (Hons) Ancient History and Social Anthropology£47,000University of St AndrewsMA (Hons) Art History and Social Anthropology£47,000
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
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: 45; response rate: 55%. 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.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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 SCHOOLSLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is 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
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £31,000. 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 78.3% · in work or study 85% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Cambridge
All students22,565
International32.2%
Aged 25+25.1%
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Cambridge
1,779 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 453Shoplifting 372Anti Social Behaviour 253Bicycle Theft 147Other Theft 114
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 University of Cambridge from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Cambridge; 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 University of Cambridge’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 University of Cambridge and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Cambridge
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Cambridge. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Politics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £31,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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