University of Leicester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Run in partnership with Politics and International Relations, this course will emphasise the history of the recent past and integrate it with contemporary politics and international relations. Ideal if your main interests lie in the 20th and 21st century – you will be able to concentrate on a focused chronological period, with modules covering a broad geographical range. You will learn about the various factors, particularly political factors, that shape historical events and our understanding of them. An appreciation of international relations is vital for analysing the fluctuating relationships that countries share with one another, either directly or through international bodies such as the UN. The topical nature of this course will not only help you understand the past but also prepare you to construct informed arguments about events that are unfolding today. Your first year develops your core knowledge and skills, as well as allowing you to explore aspects of the modern world that particularly interest you. Later on you will have even more freedom to shape your degree around your own interests, choosing modules examining the history and politics of different parts of the world, including Britain, Ireland and Europe; North America and South America; East Asia and South-east Asia; and parts of Africa and the Middle East. NB. This course was previously named Contemporary History BA
Modules
For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website
Assessment method
For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- V140
- Institution code:
- L34
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Contact the Admissions Team at [email protected] with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A level or equivalent), the reason for your transfer request.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - ABB - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits
Scottish Higher - ABBBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme of study and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous examination results.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for home students is reviewed annually and for the academic year 2025/6 it is £9,535. The fee for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be RPIX, which includes all the items in the Retail Price Index, excluding mortgage payments. For your information, the inflation rate used by the Government when increasing the tuition fee from £9,250 to £9,535 was 3.1%.
Fees for international students can be found on the individual course pages. https://le.ac.uk/courses
For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding
Provider information
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH