A History and Politics degree illustrates how questions of politics must be seen in their historical contexts, and how political science can be used to solve historical puzzles.
Here are some general resources related to History and Politics.
Overview 🔗 🌟 Here is the official overview from the University of Oxford, which includes information on entry requirements, course structure, recommended subjects and a typical day studying.
Course Summary 🔗 The Faculty of History has also produced a more detailed overview of the course here.
Video Overview 🔗 The University has produced a video which shows you tutors and students talking about the degree.
Alternative Prospectus 🔗 The Oxford Student Union has produced this unofficial guide to History and Politics which helps you understand the course from the perspective of individual students.
Studying a joint honours in History and Politics need not be as daunting as you might feel. Firstly, your organising tutors in both disciplines at your college will collaborate to ensure that your workload is no more than anybody else.
In terms of your choice of what to study, there is no rigid 50-50 split between history and politics. In first year, there is a good deal of choice and this choice continues through your degree.
You can choose to write a thesis in Politics or a dissertation in History. If you choose to write a History dissertation, more of your papers in second and third year will be in Politics, and vice versa. In this way, you can begin specialising in one area without losing out on studying the other discipline.
University Course Handbooks 🔗 🌟 At the bottom of this webpage on the left, you can find the course handbooks for History and Politics for all course years. These might give you an insight into the courses you might study, and any books which might be crucial reading.
Faculty of History Podcasts 🔗 The Faculty of History has several podcasts available here, including its inaugural lectures.
Department of Politics and International Relations Podcasts 🔗 Similarly, these podcasts might be helpful.
Reading List from Balliol College 🔗 🌟 One of the Oxford colleges has produced this (quite extensive) list of recommended reading. See what takes your fancy, and use it to develop your personal interests within the subjects.
History Admissions Test (HAT) information 🔗 🌟 Everyone applying for History (single or joint honours) at Oxford will need to take the HAT - this webpage has information about the test, how to register, and practice materials. Further information from the Faculty can be found here 🔗.
Student Admissions Experience Video 🔗 Here, student Robyn gives insight into the admissions process for History and Politics, and even talks about interview questions. This will be a useful watch.
History mock interview 🔗 🌟 A mock interview produced by Jesus College, Oxford, which gives an idea about some possible topics of conversation and the style of questions.
InsideUni History and Politics Interview Experiences 🔗 🌟 Here you can find the interview testimonies from students who applied for History and Politics. We're biased, but we think they're useful!
Rather than seeking out specific texts or introductions when preparing to study History, it is more helpful to read works that particularly interest you. Try to find areas of historical study which appeal to you individually, as this will guide you during your application and also when you choose what to study in your first year.