History and Politics with Foundation Year

With this foundation year course, you'll gain all the credentials you need to begin your career in history and politics. It's ideal for you if you don't yet meet the entry requirements of our undergraduate degree, if you're returning to study after a break away, or you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.

You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.

The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.

After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BA (Hons) History and Politics.

A guaranteed place
Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto BA (Hons) History and Politics with a guaranteed place.

Course highlights
• ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies



• When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) History and Politics



• Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success



• Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university



Careers and opportunities
When you complete this foundation year, you'll be all set to continue on to our BA (Hons) History and Politics. Studying history and politics together will give you transferable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, research, analysis and argument, all of which are highly valued by many kinds of employers. You could also continue your studies at Master's or PhD level in history, politics or a combination of the two.


What areas can you work in with a history and politics degree?
Graduates from our other history and politics courses have taken up roles in the following sectors:
- central and local government


- primary and secondary schools


- higher education providers


- financial services


- corporate governance


- trade unions


Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you'll have the chance to do an optional year-long work placement to get valuable work experience in a sector of your choice. Students from our other history and politics courses have secured placements at:
• The Ministry of Defence



• The House of Commons



• National Museum of the Royal Navy



• Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK



• Shrewsbury Museums



• Law firms such as Darton Law Ltd

All Clearing students are guaranteed an offer of a room in halls (terms and conditions apply), giving you added confidence as you plan your next steps. Full details can be found on the University of Portsmouth website.

By signing up for Priority Clearing, you can receive accommodation information straight to your inbox, along with exclusive access to Portsmouth’s Clearing Visit Day on Thursday 6 August. Priority Clearing applicants benefit from queue-jump status on Results Day, as well as exclusive updates, invitations to Clearing Webinars and personalised one-to-one application support.

The Clearing Visit Day offers you the chance to experience Portsmouth’s welcoming campus and vibrant student community first-hand before you enrol. With guaranteed accommodation, you can feel reassured that you’ll be at the heart of university life from day one.