History, Politics and Economics BA

London, Bloomsbury

History, politics and economics are brought to life in the exciting context of Russia and Eastern Europe, and combine some of the most important approaches for understanding the social, cultural, economic and political world around us. Students on this programme will develop skills essential for a wide range of future careers and activities, whilst having flexibility to specialise in disciplines as study progresses.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
4P47

Entry requirements

Grades
AAA
Subjects
Any three subjects from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer information

Grades
ABB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Any three subject from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Any three higher level subjects from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
34 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, preferably including Mathematics, with no score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

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 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit in the Level 3 units. Economics, History, Mathematics or Politics units preferred.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Any three subjects from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred.

AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher). Any three subjects from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred in Advanced Highers.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Any three subjects from Economics, History, Mathematics and Politics preferred.

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 3

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


The History, Politics and Economics BA is carefully structured to give all students a solid foundation in each of the three subject pathways, while promoting increasing specialisation as the degree progresses. Students will choose two specialist disciplines in year two and one specialist discipline in the final year, including a research dissertation. This programme structure enables students to tailor their studies to their evolving interests, while also encouraging them to explore the interface between history, economics and politics in years two and three.

The programme will involve the acquisition of knowledge concerning the histories, economies and societies of the wider European region. It will do so with particular reference to Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the post-Soviet world.

By seeking to understand this area from the vantage point of its global interconnectedness and significance, this programme will foster perspectives which are global in their reach. 

What this course will give you

This degree programme gives you the opportunity to combine insights from three different subjects.

It further provides ample scope for specialisation in topics that are of interest to you. 

The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies is the largest national centre in the UK for the study of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the post-Soviet countries. The SSEES Library contains over 400,000 books, journals and film resources.

An optional year abroad is available, giving students a chance to spend a year at a partner university in the region (places are limited).

Our staff are active in research and consultancy at the frontiers of their subjects. Your teaching will draw on their comprehensive knowledge.

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 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in History, Politics and Economics.

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.

The History, Politics and Economics BA is carefully structured to give all students a solid foundation in each of the three subject pathways, while promoting increasing specialisation as the degree progresses. Students will choose two specialist disciplines in year two and one specialist discipline in the final year, including a research dissertation. This programme structure enables students to tailor their studies to their evolving interests, while also encouraging them to explore the interface between history, economics and politics in years two and three.

Once admitted onto the programme, students will have the opportunity to apply for a Year Abroad placement at a partner university in the SSEES region, transferring onto a 4-year programme. Places are limited and competitive and cannot be guaranteed.

The programme will involve the acquisition of knowledge concerning the histories, economies and societies of the wider European region. It will do so with particular reference to central and eastern Europe, Russia and the post-Soviet world.

By seeking to understand this area from the vantage point of its global interconnectedness and significance, this programme will foster perspectives which are global in their reach. 

Your learning

You will be taught via a combination of interactive lectures and small-group tutorials. Tutorials will involve discussion, exercises, presentations and experiments. You will be set regular written work, including essays, policy analyses, exercises, online activities and posters.

Each student will engage in 1200 learning hours every year, made up of teaching time (lectures, seminars and workshops), independent study, assessment and feedback.

Assessment

Your assessment will be based on various types of written coursework, presentations, some unseen written examinations, and a final-year 10,000-word dissertation. Throughout the programme you will receive detailed feedback to help you develop your skills. For the dissertation you will have an individual supervisor to provide support and advice.

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.

Online - Open day

UCL Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Application Q&A

This event will give you an opportunity to learn more about making a full application to your programme of choice and ask any questions you may have before the UCAS deadline. This session will also be suitable for teachers, advisers, and counsellors advising students on applications to the Faculty. During the event, a member of the UCL Admissions Team will run through how to make a full application and how to apply to one of our interdisciplinary programmes, before we open up to questions.

Online - Open day

History, Politics and Economics Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's History, Politics and Economics programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

The foundation of your career

This degree might lead to careers in government service (UK and other EU states), international agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), consultancy (economic, political risk, security, marketing), banking, financial services, law, media, teaching and the leisure industry, as well as to further study.

Employability

We expect graduates of this degree to have a multitude of transferable skills, combined with specialist knowledge of the region.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
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 additional costs for this programme.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. 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 applicants who express a genuine interest in the subject areas and who can evidence independent engagement with the disciplines, as well as an interest in the region. We are interested in hearing your own views and opinions. For instance, if you have undertaken additional reading, tell us what you thought about the topic discussed. Relevant skills include: communication, critical evaluation, creative thinking.

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.

On the basis of our assessment of your application we will decide whether to make you an offer. If you are succesfful, you will invited to attend an offer holder day which includes more information about your chosen degree programme, the department, and our facilities and services. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and to go on a tour of UCL led by current students.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.