History & Politics at Wolfson
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, methodology, and approaches in both History and Politics. They will be able to choose from a wide range of topics in British, European, American and World history and politics.
The 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.
You can find further information about studying History & Politics on the University's course pages. Detailed information is also available on the Faculty's Prospective Undergraduates page.
Entry Requirements
Applicants will have a variety of relevant examination qualifications, though not necessarily in both politics and history; they will be expected to demonstrate an interest in both subjects and will be assessed on their potential to succeed in them. Please consult the University's entry requirements for History & Politics for further information.
Applications
Applications to study History & Politics at Wolfson are submitted through UCAS. The College additionally requires the submission of written work and an online interview, as detailed below.
| Written Work | Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work by 2 November. This should be in a related discipline which the candidate is studying or has studied. For the March round, all applicants must submit their written work by 8 March. |
| Assessment | There is no written assessment. |
| Interview | Shortlisted candidates will be invited to be interviewed in December (or late March for those who apply in the March round). There will be one or two interviews (in total lasting 40-50 minutes) which will be conducted online via Zoom. |
For more information about making an application, please visit our application webpages.
You can also find useful information on our Application FAQs page.
Student Perspective: History & Politics at Wolfson
History and Politics is a fascinating combination because you get to understand how nations, societies and people have been understood, imagined and reinvented over several periods of history, up to modern day politics. History helps us contextualise modern day political problems and politics draws out the legacies of the historical issues. There is a wide scope of interesting topics, in the last year I have studied everything from intellectual thought to understanding the practical realities of peace and conflict in modern day nations to how marriages were an important political tool for peace under King James VI.
History is taught through one-to-one supervision which can be challenging at first but then incredibly enjoyable as you get to spend time talking through exciting topics with experts. Politics is taught in groups of three or two which lends itself to more debate and discussion with your peers from across the university. I think these two different approaches means you get the best of both worlds! The work is challenging but I have found plenty of time to get involved in sports, attend talks with politics societies and become PR officer for the Cambridge Women in Business society.
I knew I wanted to go to Wolfson straight away, it is by far one of the friendliest and welcoming colleges from the porters to the people! The students work hard to put on many social events and the college provides many academic opportunities to improve your writing and work. As a His-pol you are near everything important such as Sidgwick Site for lectures and libraries which is also home to both the politics and History departments. Anything else e.g. town, is a 5 - 8 minute cycle or a 10-20 minute walk.
Leanne (History & Politics undergraduate)