History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad BA
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2026 entry
Expand your knowledge of the historical, political, and social issues of the Americas and explore their global relevance on this cross-disciplinary degree. You’ll choose from a broad range of optional modules on topics like American political thought, Latin American revolutions and human rights in the Americas, and can opt to study a language. A rigorous preparation for careers in diplomacy, government, business, international charities, NGOs, and the education sector. Spend your third year abroad, studying at one of UCL’s partner universities in the US and Latin America.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAB
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
Advanced Highers grades A,A,B (or Advanced Highers grades A,A plus Highers at grades B,B,B)
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
We aim to provide a thorough grounding and opportunities for specialisation in history and politics. Alongside the development of disciplinary expertise, the degree programme promotes cross-disciplinary insight. You will learn how polities and societies evolve, how different disciplinary perspectives relate to each other, and how these perspectives can combine to give a more nuanced understanding of the Americas and their global relevance.
Our curriculum is shaped by the cutting-edge and impactful research undertaken by our academic staff, giving you an insight into the latest developments in the Americas. From transforming torture prevention legislation in Chile to changing the policy design of cash transfer programmes in the developing world, our research has important real-world impact on policy and society. We were ranked 1st for Area Studies and for Impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment.
During your studies, you get an introduction to some of the forces and processes that have shaped and reshaped the Americas over time. You look at key concepts and theoretical debates in the politics of the Americas, and learn essential research methods. The final year includes a capstone project focused on contemporary issues from across the hemisphere, including inequality, migration, security and environment. You also learn to communicate academic knowledge effectively to a non-academic audience through a range of mediums.
In the second and third year you are be able to select a wide variety of optional modules, covering many regions, periods and topics. Current options include American Political Thought; Latin American Revolutions; Histories of Sexuality in the US and Beyond; Human Rights in the Americas; and Political Ecology of Development in Latin America. You are also able to select options from other departments, including languages, allowing you to tailor your degree to match your individual academic interests and career aspirations.
What this course will give you
The Institute of the Americas is a leading specialist institution for the study of Canada, the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We offer the UK’s largest portfolio of programmes focused on the Americas and our research was ranked 1st in Area Studies and Impact in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Our programme provides a rigorous introduction to history and politics, as well as the possibility to specialise in one of these subjects after year one. You will gain new knowledge and expertise in your subject area as you take additional modules from within and outside of the department.
You will enjoy an interdisciplinary environment designed for both home and international students who are interested in professional and academic careers in diplomacy, government, business, international charities, NGOs, and the education sector.
You will spend your third year abroad at a top-ranked university in the Caribbean, Latin America, or North America. Please see our partner institutions.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. In Year 1 and 2, you will take compulsory modules each year, plus options in history and politics. You will also have the opportunity to study a language relevant to your year-abroad destination.
Your third year will be spent studying abroad at a partner institution.
In your final year, you will take an advanced module, designed to encourage you to engage with contemporary issues and share your knowledge with audiences outside UCL. You will also complete a dissertation and take optional modules in history and politics.
Optional modules
Your learning
Teaching is based on lectures, seminar discussions, workshops, and individual coursework feedback. Core Year One modules are taught comparatively, thematically and jointly by disciplinary and regional experts. As the degree progresses, seminars become smaller, more focused and students will follow their research interests to specialise in disciplines and regions of their choice.
While the exact number of contact hours varies substantially depending on the modules chosen by the student and the year of study, these typically vary between 8 and 14 hours per week for students enrolled on full-time studies. This includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, staff-led practice-based, and e-learning activities. Students will also display a level of independent study (20-35 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for programme discussions and assessments.
Assessment
Assessment will be based on various types of written coursework and formal examinations, with learning also evaluated through speaking contributions and oral presentations. Students’ ability to engage with external audiences will be assessed in the year four core module. There is an emphasis on the acquisition of research skills via the completion of a research methods module (Year Two) and a 10,000-word dissertation (Year Four).
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
Visit us
Online - Open day
History and Politics of the Americas information video
Watch this video to find out more about History and Politics of the Americas at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.
The foundation of your career
Our graduates, equipped with both multidisciplinary competences and area expertise, are well situated for careers in the private and public sectors (in fields including finance, IT and technology as well as health and social care). They are also well equipped to move on to further study and research. (Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts).
Employability
Our students will develop skills in research, analysis and criticism, argumentation, formal writing, communication and presentation. They will also gain direct experience of cultures and societies in the Americas through the completion of a year abroad.
These skills make our graduates extremely attractive to employers across various sectors, including academia, law, journalism, media, creative arts, politics, health and education.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £29,800 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
There are no programme-specific costs for this programme apart from those associated with study abroad.
Please note that study abroad during your programme at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We are looking for critically engaged students who want to develop a robust cross-disciplinary understanding of the history and politics of the Americas. Your Personal Statement should demonstrate independent engagement with the discipline beyond your school curriculum and evidence an interest in at least one region of the Americas covered by the degree (the Caribbean, Latin America, and the US).
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Your application will be considered on its merits, taking into account your interest in and suitability for the degree. This should be demonstrated through your personal statement, referee's report, and achieved and predicted grades. You should be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for the study of at least one region of the Americas covered by the degree (the Caribbean, Latin America, and the US), as well as curiosity about those areas with which you are less familiar.
Got questions? Get in touch
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