History, Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

Our programme is diverse, international in focus and innovative. We will teach you the skills for effective research and analysis, helping to hone your ability to absorb, communicate and critically analyse complex information.

Reflecting the globalised world we live in, the History curriculum covers a wide range of modern and contemporary European and non-European histories, exploring topics such as colonialism, decolonisation, immigration, ethnic minorities, racism and gender.

You will also gain an understanding of the role politics plays at local, national and global levels and explore the crucial issues in contemporary international politics that are impacting our world. Our research-informed curriculum provides both the practical tools and the theoretical knowledge to understand a wide range of political issues and respond to the current social, political and economic challenges.

As you progress through the course, we’ll challenge you with more in-depth explorations, and the subject matter will become increasingly complex. You can choose to specialise in either History, Politics or International Relations. You’ll be supported by a passionate teaching team who provide a dynamic learning environment and whose national and international expertise is embedded within the curriculum.

Key features


• Combine the study of history with politics and international relations modules, enhancing your employability across three disciplines and preparing you for diverse career paths.



• Explore distinctive areas such as photographic history, the history of sport and leisure, war and conflict, migration, ethnicity, and racism.



• Choose to specialise in your area of interest: History, Politics or International Relations, tailoring your degree to your personal goals and passions.



• Develop a wide range of transferable skills by learning how to research and communicate complex information effectively, preparing you for postgraduate study or employment across various sectors. Our graduates use these skills to forge successful careers across a range of professions including teaching, the law, marketing and the heritage and museum sector.



• Benefit from expert teaching delivered by our team of renowned academics, as well as gain wider knowledge and insight through organised trips to archives and museums such as The National Archives in London.



• DMU is the only university in the UK to hold both ‘Congress to Campus’ and ‘European Parliament to Campus’ events, featuring visits from prominent political figures to enhance your study experience.



• Apply your skills in a real-world context through a placement. Previous students have gained professional experience at a large regional newspaper, Leicester’s award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre, the House of Commons and local governments.



• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

At DMU, the focus is on your future - with work experience opportunities on every course, an employability-boosting careers award, and industry-led course content, you'll be well prepared to start your career.

You’ll get guaranteed work experience opportunities with UK and overseas placements, internships, and personalised training. DMU has been named the UK’s Best University for Work Experience (RateMyPlacement 2024 & 2025), offering personalised careers support, industry connections, and placements with global names like Rolls-Royce and Adobe.

DMU is one of only a few universities where you’ll benefit from modular, block teaching where you’ll study one subject at a time for deeper learning and better results.

Situated in the heart of Leicester, a vibrant student-friendly city, the campus is just a short walk from everything the city has to offer. Its central location means you can hop on a train and be in cities like London, Birmingham and Nottingham in around an hour or less.