The BA International History and Politics programme is a specialised single-honours degree within the School of History, which focuses on the history of international relations from the turn of the twentieth century to the present. You will gain a thorough grounding both in the principles of international politics and the history of relations between states, chiefly learning from specialists within the School of History, which has a long-established international reputation for excellence in research and teaching.
You will study some of the most important challenges in international history over the past hundred years or so. Among them, you may consider the roles of states in international affairs, as well as the importance of international organisations and a broad range of non-state actors, for example, in diplomacy, security and stability. You might investigate the roles of transnational phenomena or people-centred approaches, for example in respect of refugee questions or revolutionary movements. You could examine the histories of particular regions, such as the Middle East, Latin America, or East Asia. Or you could focus on the histories of crisis, conflict and inequality, and the many legacies of the contested international past.
The School of History is a large, research-led department with a strong and vibrant international history section. Students in the programme have access to some of the best library resources in the country. The University's Brotherton Library houses one of Britain's largest historical research collections and is an invaluable resource for student research projects in years two and three. Other excellent study and research facilities are within easy reach, including the Leeds Central Library, the British Library reading room at Boston Spa, and the future British Library of the North (based in Leeds).
As a graduate of the International History and Politics programme you will develop advanced skills in critical thinking, analysis, information handling, research and communication, as well as initiative and independence, team working, problem-solving, planning and organisation, and time-management skills. You will also have gained a specialised knowledge relating to politics, diplomacy and international relations. Our graduates are thus highly sought after by specialist employers in the civil and diplomatic services, political journalism and political analysis, as well as by employers in professions as diverse as law, the media and accountancy. After Level 2, you’ll have the option to spend a year in an industrial placement or at a host University abroad, which would enable you to develop and enhance your transferable skills.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students must study 120 credits in total.
The 120 credits will comprise of four compulsory modules, and 40 credits of optional modules or University designated 'Discovery modules'.
Students are not permitted to take more than 70 credits in a single semester.
Students will be required to study the following four compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST1817 | Skills and Concepts in International History | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST1819 | International History, 1919-1989: Conflict, Co-operation and Change | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HIST1840 | Consensus and Contention: Investigations in International History | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PIED1511 | International Politics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students are required to choose 20 credits from the following School of History optional modules:
SCHOOL OF HISTORY OPTIONAL MODULES
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST1060 | Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST1510 | Global Empires | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST1520 | Global Decolonization | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HIST1530 | The Making of the Twentieth Century | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional History of Science modules, optional history modules offered in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, or University-designated 'Discovery modules'.
OPTIONAL HISTORY OF SCIENCE MODULES:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC1015 | Magic, Science and Religion | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HPSC1030 | History of Psychology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC1046 | Introduction to the History of Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC1050 | Darwin, Germs and the Bomb | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC1080 | History of Modern Medicine | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
OPTIONAL LCS HISTORY MODULES
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GERM1200 | 20th Century German History | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| ITAL1040 | Italy from Fascism to the Present | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MODL1070 | World Histories | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| SPPO1045 | The Historical Development of Spain and Hispanic America | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Candidates may study up to 20 credits of University designated ‘Discovery Modules’.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students must study 120 credits in total.
These 120 credits will comprise the compulsory modules stated as well as a mix of optional and/or University designated ‘Discovery Modules’ as set out below.
Students are not permitted to take more than 70 credits in a single semester.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST2800 | Documents and Debates in International History | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2900 | International History and Politics Long Essay | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students will choose one module from each of baskets A and C. These optional modules will vary year on year.
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY AND POLITICS BASKET A
Students choose one module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST2038 | Global Environmentalism Since 1900 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2040 | History Wars: The Politics of the Past in Contemporary Europe | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2871 | International History of the Middle East | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY AND POLITICS OPTIONAL MODULES BASKET C
Students choose one module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST2857 | The Global Cold War | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HIST2868 | US Foreign Policy in a Changing World: the End of the Cold War, the Age of Terror, and the Resurgence of a Multipolar Order? | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HIST2875 | From Versailles to Potsdam: Conferences, Crises and Conflicts, 1919-45 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students will choose 20 credits from Basket B OR 20 credits from LCS History Basket OR 20 credits of University designated ‘Discovery Modules’.
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY AND POLITICS BASKET B
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST2140 | Imperial Germany 1871-1918 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2152 | Spain, 1898-1936: Disaster, Reaction and Reform | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2301 | The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, 1921-1993 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2557 | Thinking About History | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST2565 | Histories of Black Britain | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST2658 | Mao Zedong and Modern China, 1949-Present | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES HISTORY BASKET
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARAB2066 | Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| EAST2007 | Japan's International Relations | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| GERM2082 | Dealing with difficult pasts: German memory cultures | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MODL2015 | Black Europe | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students will choose their remaining 20 credits from University designated ‘Discovery Modules’ (which can include modules listed in the LCS History basket).
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students must study 120 credits in total.
These 120 credits will comprise two compulsory modules, as well as a mix of History optional and/or University designated ‘Discovery Modules’ as set out below. Students are not permitted to take more than 70 credits in a single semester.
Students will be required to study one of the following Final Year Project modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3075 | Public History Project | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| HIST3800 | International History and Politics Dissertation | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Students will be required to study 40 credits from one of the following special subject modules. These modules will vary year on year.
Basket - IHP Britain & Europe
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3747 | The Iron Lady Abroad: Margaret Thatcher and UK Foreign Policy from 1979 | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Basket - IHP Global
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3015 | Indonesia from Revolution to Dictatorship (1945-1967) | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3026 | People, Water and Sand: An Environmental History of the Middle East | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3888 | The Global Vietnam War | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Basket - Modern History – International
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3235 | Dividing India: The Road to Democracy in South Asia, 1939-1952 | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3330 | Europe in an Age of Total Warfare | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3332 | The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3590 | White Africans: Intimacy, Race and Power | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3695 | The Korean War | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| HIST3930 | The First World War: A Global Conflict | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students are required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional modules. Only one choice per basket is allowed. These optional modules will vary year on year.
Semester 1 Option Basket
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3710 | Nazism, Stalinism and the Rise of the Total State | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HIST3920 | People and Protest: Transnational Activism in the 20th Century and Beyond | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Semester 2 option Basket
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIST3880 | 'Parasites' and 'Cockroaches': Genocide in the Twentieth Century | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HIST3999 | Doomed to Failure? European Great Power Politics from Bismarck to the Outbreak of World War I | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students may study up to 20 credits of Discovery modules if needed to bring their overall credits for Level 3 to 120 credits.
Last updated: 08/05/2026 16:49:13
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