Contact information
- Teaching Administrators
- ia-programmes@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 76799746
- Dr. Malu Gatto
- Admissions Tutor
- m.gatto@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 76799046
This new four-year programme offers an innovative curriculum that aims to provide understanding of the historical, political, social, and international issues concerning the Americas. Our research-based, multidisciplinary teaching combines education in history, social sciences, research methods, and languages to prepare students for a wide range of global careers. This programme enhances students' learning and cultural awareness with a compulsory year abroad.
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 23 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the credits in the Level 3 units awarded with Merit.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
Advanced Highers grades A,A,A (or Advanced Highers grades A,A plus Highers at grades A,A,A)
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels, at grades AAA
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
The Institute of the Americas is the largest centre for the study of the Americas (including Canada, the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean) in the UK.
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.
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 in a top-ranked university in the Caribbean, Latin America, or North America.
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).
Our aim is 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.
In years one and two you will take two core 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.
You will spend year three studying relevant modules at a host institution in North America, Latin America or the Caribbean.
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 history and politics optional modules.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Optional modules may include:
You will select from a range of optional modules, which may include optional modules from year 1 and:
Optional modules may include options from Year 2 and:
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.
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).
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad BA.
Our graduates, equipped with both multidisciplinary competences and area expertise, will be well situated for careers in the private and public sectors (in fields including finance, politics, diplomacy, teaching, NGOs, and international organisations). We also anticipate they will be well equipped to move on to further study and research.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 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.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
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.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
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.
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.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
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.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 12 March 2020