History and Politics
History and Politics balances a strong grounding in the two component subjects with the chance to explore the ways in which historical and political understanding together illuminate the modern world.
At a glance
A Level requirements: A*AA with A* in History or Government and Politics
IB requirements: 41-42 points overall with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level with 7 in History Higher Level or Global Politics Higher Level
Subject requirements: History or Government and Politics
Average students per year: 3-4
Admissions assessment: None
Written work: 2 pieces
Admissions
Course overview
The papers on the History and Politics degree offer a broad understanding of both subjects and the opportunity to think about their combination. All students take foundation courses in History and in Politics whilst also being able to pursue their preferred choices with ample flexibility. The aim of the course is to enable students to explore how historical and political understandings illuminate the modern world. The degree covers a range of subjects from the history, politics, and international relations programmes. There are opportunities to study major areas across both subjects, including comparative politics; the history of political thought; international security and organisation; the history of different regions of the world, from Britain and Europe to Latin America, Asia and beyond; world history; and advance topics in both politics and history.
For more information about the course and its modules, visit the University website.
Written work
We ask for two pieces of written work. These can be drawn from your A-level work, including an EPQ. The work should be in essay format, with a word limit of up to 1,500 words for each piece. Strong history essays are driven by arguments backed up with specific evidence, usually from a mixture of primary and secondary sources; written work that shows these qualities is particularly helpful for us to see what you can do.
Interviews
Shortlisted applicants for History and Politics at King’s will have one interview of up to about 35 minutes.
One section of the interview will build more directly on material related to your application, such as by discussing the written work you submitted or your personal statement. The other section of the interview will be a more general discussion about History and Politics, exploring how you can think historically and your aptitude to probe the politics of the past and the contemporary world.
No preparation or prior reading is required. The interview will draw on your application and discuss your existing knowledge of History and Politics, but we are ultimately interested in your potential to flourish in and through the degree, not your existing knowledge.
What we look for in an applicant
A strong interest in and aptitude for both History and Politics and an ability to think imaginatively and constructively about the subjects taken jointly.
A top tip for applicants
Show us why you are interested in History and Politics, separately and as a combined course of study. Think about how and why they might go together.
Find out more
You can find out more about History and Politics by visiting the University website, the Faculty of History website, and the Department of Politics and International Studies website.
King’s also runs Open Days and residentials so you can get a taste of what studying here is like.
Life as a King's History and Politics student
History and Politics students typically have five or six hours of lectures per week, divided between the Faculty of History and Department of Politics, and roughly two weekly supervisions (an hour of one-, two- or three-to-one teaching) in College. King’s students also have some group teaching within College related to the ‘Theory and Practice in History and Politics’ Paper in their third year.
In a typical supervision, a student will be asked to explore their understanding of that week’s subject and be challenged on how they think about it. For most supervisions students must submit an essay, on which they will receive individual feedback ranging from subject comprehension to writing style, essay structure, and avenues for further research, allowing for unparalleled pursuit of intellectual curiosity with expert, tailored guidance.
I would really recommend studying History and Politics at Kings! The degree is clearly thought of independently in its own right, with a proportionally large cohort in comparison to other colleges and our own Director of Studies, which is particularly unusual for a joint degree. This enables social mingling both within History and Politics, and also with the History and Human, Social and Political Science students.
- Cathy, 1st year
Careers and graduate opportunities
History and Politics opens up opportunities in most sectors, including work in the media, the civil service, consultancy, journalism, television, film, politics risk analysis, think tanks, law, business, and teaching.
