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University of Manchester

Politics and Modern History

Manchester, England, United Kingdom · UCAS VL12

  • Level

    Bachelor

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Campus

    Main Site

  • Intl. Tuition

    £29,200 (2027-28)

  • Home Tuition

    £10,050 (2027-28)

  • Intake

    September 2027

  • UCAS code

    VL12

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Course Overview

Politics and Modern History at University of Manchester in Manchester, England, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.

  • Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
  • Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
  • Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
  • Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
  • Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.

Career snapshot (indicative)

Politics graduates enter government, the civil service fast-stream, think-tanks, political consultancy, international organisations, journalism and NGOs. Many proceed to law conversion, postgraduate research or the diplomatic service.

Student life (indicative)

Manchester is the UK's unofficial music capital, with legendary clubs, two Premier League football teams, outstanding food from every cuisine, and a student population that makes up a significant chunk of the city.

The University at a Glance

Student Population

46,305

Staff Ratio

14.0:1

International

40.0%

Career Prospects

Employment Rate

77.0%

of graduates employed

Avg Starting Salary

£36,340

First-year earnings

Placement Year

✓ Available

Work experience option

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

£29,200

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

Home Tuition

£10,050

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

City & Location

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

  • Foundations of Politics and Modern History
  • Academic and Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Theory and Practice
  • Optional language or breadth module.

Year 2

  • Intermediate Politics and Modern History topics
  • Applied Methods and Tools
  • Group Project
  • Two optional pathway modules
  • Career and Industry Insights.

Year 3

  • Advanced Politics and Modern History
  • Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
  • Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
  • Employability and Professional Development.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

  • Politics
  • Modern history

Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.

Campus & City Life

Student Population

46,305

Total students

Staff Ratio

14:1

Students per staff

International Students

40%

Of student body

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Cool temperate

Safety Index (indicative)

7.2/10

Transport

Moderate (coach or indirect connections)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Global / diverse | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks

Student Life & City (indicative)

Manchester is the UK's unofficial music capital, with legendary clubs, two Premier League football teams, outstanding food from every cuisine, and a student population that makes up a significant chunk of the city.

  • Manchester is the UK's unofficial music capital, with legendary clubs, two Premier League football teams, outstanding food from every cuisine, and a student population that makes up a significant chunk of the city.

What Students Love

  • Active music scene
  • Vibrant nightlife & bars
  • Diverse international food scene
  • Major sports culture

University Stats

Total Students46,305
Student-to-Staff Ratio14:1
International Students40%
Safety Index (indicative)7.2/10

Career & Outcomes

Graduate Employment

77%

Employed after graduation

Avg Starting Salary

£36,340

Average first-year salary

Placement Year

✓ Available

Industry work experience

Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)

Politics graduates enter government, the civil service fast-stream, think-tanks, political consultancy, international organisations, journalism and NGOs. Many proceed to law conversion, postgraduate research or the diplomatic service.

  • Politics graduates enter government, the civil service fast-stream, think-tanks, political consultancy, international organisations, journalism and NGOs.
  • Many proceed to law conversion, postgraduate research or the diplomatic service.

Top Industries for Graduates

  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare

Study Abroad Opportunities

Y

  • Y

Costs & Living Expenses

Intl. Tuition

£29,200

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

Home Tuition

£10,050

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

Total Programme Cost

£87,600

For full 3 years

Overall Cost of Living (indicative)

MEDIUM

This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.

Estimated Annual Costs

Tuition (International)£29,200per year, 2027-28 Official fee page
Tuition (Home)£10,050per year, 2027-28 Official fee page
Estimated Total (per year)£29,200

Monthly Student Budget (indicative)

Housing£695/mo
Food & Groceries£252/mo
Transport£86/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,208
Annual living costs£14,504/yr

Cost Overview (indicative)

One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,530/month budget (housing $880, food $320, transport $110) covers everything comfortably. Great value for a major UK city — Manchester keeps costs low while delivering big-city energy.

  • One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,530/month budget (housing $880, food $320, transport $110) covers everything comfortably.
  • Great value for a major UK city — Manchester keeps costs low while delivering big-city energy.

Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.