History and Politics
History and Politics at Cambridge is an exciting course which offers students the chance to combine papers from our History and Politics and International Relations courses, together with bespoke papers which allow students to explore the space between the two disciplines. Students will develop skills in analysing the operation of power and politics across histories, institutions, and societies around the world. Students will also be able to build strengths in understanding the nature of evidence, methodologies, and approaches in both History and Politics. There is wide range of papers available, covering British, European, American and World history and politics.
Staff in the Faculty of History and the Department of Politics and International Studies have a wide range of shared interests in political and international history, the origins of contemporary politics and international relations, and the history of political ideas. degree balances a strong grounding in the two component subjects with the opportunity to explore the ways in which historical and political understanding together illuminate the modern world.
Overview
Students admitted per year: 1-2
Typical offer:
A Level: A*AA
IB Diploma: 41 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Subject requirements: no subjects required
Useful subjects: almost all applicants will have taken History to A Level. This can be complemented by a range of other subjects, which may include Politics.
Admissions Assessment: n/a
Written work: two pieces, of a maximum of 3,000 words total
Why choose Newnham for History and Politics?
Newnham has a long tradition of valuing teaching as an integral part of College life. Its current Fellows continue to uphold the ideals of their forebears in taking teaching seriously and seeking the most effective teaching methods for an individual’s style of learning. Newnham was one of the pioneers of the supervision mode of teaching, still the mainstay of any humanities degree, and an important element of the Director of Studies’ job is securing the best supervisors for students.
History and Politics students will be supported through their degree by a Director of Studies for both the History and Politics sides of the course. They will also be fully integrated into the ‘history’ cohort through College-based classes and events, which provide an important chance for students to exchange ideas, experiences, and share what they have discovered in their own particular papers. Contact across year groups is fostered not only informally but also (for example) by an afternoon of presentations by third-year students on their dissertations.
Newnham students in History and Politics benefit from the excellent resources provided by the College as well as the University. The College runs an unusually well-stocked undergraduate library. Whilst this provides a quiet working environment both inside and outside term time, students at Newnham live within minutes of the History Faculty and from the University Library, a copyright library.
Academic financial support
Newnham is one of the most generous Colleges when it comes to student support. As well as being able to access support for maintenance, opportunity and sports funding, all Newnham undergraduate students can apply for our book grants and research expenses funds each term for essential purchases and expenditure relating to their studies. A proportion of expenditure on books can be reimbursed against receipts (up to a limit of £200 each year), with research expenses assessed on a case-by-case basis. Funds for essential equipment purchases are also available, for example for stethoscopes for medics. We are also fortunate to have very generous funding available for summer research and/or travel. None of these grants are means-tested, so all students can benefit. Students achieving first-class results for their end of year exams will in addition receive at least £400 as a prize or scholarship.
