University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MA / PGDip / PGCert History and Politics
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 Aug 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 11,250 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 3July 2026 for international students
** Home: £11,250: full time | £5,625: part time | International: £27,090 full-time
Key Summary
Discover why we are the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers ('Graduate Market in 2024' and 'Graduate Market in 2025' High Fliers reports) at our on-campus Postgraduate Open Day.
Get the tools to think critically, ask big questions and explore different viewpoints on our interdisciplinary MA History and Politics course.
You’ll build skills in research, analysis and communication, ready for careers across government, media and charities, or for further study.
Course Structure
You can study the MA and PGDip full-time or part-time. The PGCert can only be studied full-time.
The MA runs over 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
The PGDip runs over 8 months full-time or 16 months part-time.
The PGCert runs over 4 months full-time.
Course Highlights
Studying History and Politics together gives you a rich and varied learning experience. You’ll develop advanced skills in research, analysis and communication, with a focus on intellectual creativity, critical thinking and making connections across ideas.
In History, you’ll explore key events, ideas and methods that shape how we understand the past. You’ll also engage with the Department’s wide range of research areas and gain insights into the main debates that influence the field today.
In Politics, you’ll examine important issues and current debates, building a strong foundation in political theory, concepts and research methods. You’ll think critically and apply your knowledge to real-world situations, helping you tackle complex political questions with confidence.
- Learn from the expertise of two departments - the School of History and Cultures and School of Government. Both are ranked in the top 10 in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021.
- Make the most of our outstanding international reputation for research by engaging with events and research seminars in both disciplines.
- Enhance your knowledge from a global perspective with our modules covering topics from all over the world.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Please visit the course webpage below for up-to-date information on modules.
By studying a postgraduate degree in History and Politics at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to collate together information, strong written and verbal communication skills, and analytical skills
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History and Politics.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a dissertation in either History or Politics.