History and International Relations (Placement Year) BA Hons - 2020 Entry

Course Overview

Lancaster’s History and International Relations degree is taught jointly between our Department of History and the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion. It gives you the opportunity to build an in-depth knowledge of both subjects, learning from scholars who are experts in their field.

Your degree scheme concentrates on the history of international politics since 1780 and introduces you to various theoretical understandings of the modern world. You’ll gain a stronger understanding of the influence of History and International Relations on each other, while engaging with topics such as diplomacy, terrorism, religious conflict and human rights.

Beginning with courses including From the Medieval to the Modern: History and Historians and Politics and Governance in the Contemporary World, you’ll move on to subjects such as Ethics: Theory and Practice; Modern Political Thought, and Introduction to Peace Studies in your second year. You’ll complete your degree following final-year modules that include the Politics of Global Danger; Britain in the World; US Foreign Policy since 1945; Africa and Global Politics, and Islamic Politics.

You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas.  This experience will boost your employment prospects and will help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job – with all the satisfaction that brings.  Our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement that will support your professional development. Applying for a placement is a competitive process and the preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in your placement applications.  You will also be provided with dedicated workshops, 1:1 appointments with careers professionals as well as opportunities to speak with employers here on campus.

During the placement year you will remain a Lancaster University student which means that you will still be eligible for a student loan, have access to facilities such as the library and receive discounts on transport and council tax.  Your tuition fee will be reduced to 20% during the placement year. 

The placement will enhance your understanding of the connections between theory and practice and this will benefit your final year of study.  This is an exciting opportunity to build up experience and transferable skills, as well as to make contacts with potential employers which will place you a step ahead in the graduate recruitment market.