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Finances for studying abroad on exchange
Make sense of the modern world by learning how the past influences international politics in the present.
Explore history and international relations to encounter diverse societies, explain cultural changes and explore the issues causing tension between countries. With new discoveries every day, combined with advancements in technology, you’ll uncover hidden details about the world around you.
A degree in history and international relations is a fantastic launchpad into many careers. You could apply your historical knowledge directly in a museum or heritage role. Or use your communication and analytical skills in a career in publishing, policy making, social research or the Civil Service.
Explore the latest thinking
We’ve designed this course to cover key areas such as the state system, security and globalisation. You'll study through the lens of historical and contemporary examples, from the 1870s Scramble for Africa to the global financial crisis, while learning how to apply theory to the real world.
At the same time, you’ll expand your knowledge as you explore different histories and perspectives from Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. You’ll learn from experts who care about providing impactful research. One of our professors wrote and presented the BBC series ‘Suffragettes Forever! The Story of Women and Power’.
Through events, conferences, and our research centres, you’ll hear from high-profile people working in Westminster and Whitehall and be part of conversations on the latest thinking in the area.
You can complete your degree in three or four years. If you choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
Please note that remaining modules should be split equally between both schools. All modules are subject to change.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Either
Or
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our History and International Relations BA with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
The variety of modules offered was the main reason I chose Queen Mary. Within my degree I want to fully enjoy the modules, to be engaged to the highest level. I think the more you enjoy something the better you will do.
For each module you’ll usually receive two hours of weekly contact time, typically comprising a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour seminar.
Formal teaching is supplemented by one-to-one discussions in staff office hours and feedback sessions.
For every hour spent in class, you'll complete a further two to three hours of independent study. This time is spent reading, preparing for study sessions, working on projects and revising for exams.
Assessment is designed around a series of programme-level essays. These are based around your teaching and learning in modules, along with additional support outside modules. You choose which modules to write essays on, and deadlines are spaced so you can receive feedback on each essay before writing the next one.
In addition, module-level assessment can involve a wide range of assessment activities, including source analyses, book reviews, blog posts, learning logs, and presentations.
In your final year you’ll work on a dissertation worth 25% of your final year mark, researching a specialised area of history that particularly interests you.
The School offers excellent resources to aid your studies, including:
Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.
For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Our standard contextual offer: BBC at A-Level.
Our enhanced contextual offer: BCC at A-Level.
More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.
Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.
If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry onto this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.
You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.
See our general undergraduate entry requirements.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
As a School of History graduate, you can apply your degree knowledge directly to a career in museums, education or the arts and heritage sector. Our graduates are also highly employable in other sectors and commonly enter roles in publishing, journalism, policy, consumer and social research, management consulting and the Civil Service – making use of skills gained from the programme, including verbal and written communication, research, critical analysis and attention to detail.
Recent graduates from the School of History have been hired by:
The School of History has a dedicated Careers Consultant who can offer specialist advice. We hold an annual ‘History Futures’ event where you can meet former students and discover how their studies have helped them progress in their career.
The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
History and International Relations - BA (Hons)
History and International Relations with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
The School of History is one of the top 100 in the World according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. Our staff are at the forefront of research in their respective fields - world-leading scholars engaged in innovative teaching and bringing history to the wider public on TV and radio.
We’re a growing School invested in high-quality teaching, and we pride ourselves on our friendly and informal approach. Our London location is home to the nation’s Parliament, political think tanks and economic powerhouses, we host high-profile speakers, and we offer students regular contact with Westminster, Whitehall and the third sector.
Our staff are active researchers with diverse interests, from British politics to the Middle East, which is reflected in our teaching and the breadth of our programmes.