Why?
History & Politics is the most popular programme of the history joint schools and also one of the most competitive, with an annual intake of ~50 in Oxford with an acceptance rate of 12%. The course offers an ideal combination for those seeking to broaden their historical and political perspective by providing them with a skill set from two highly complementary and mutually dependent disciplines.
Course
Students can choose from the same papers as straight History and PPE students, allowing them to delve into and specialise in an extremely wide range of topics. They will complete roughly the same number of papers in each subject, with some degree of specialisation allowing them to choose between a thesis in either subject.
The standard workload will centre around your weekly essay, tutorials, lectures and classes. History & Politics generally offers relatively little contact time (typically 1-2h of tutorials and 3-8h lectures a week). Most time is spent researching and writing a weekly essay (around 20h each). Students usually complete between 1 and 2 essays a week.
Applying
History & Politics requires AAA at A level or equivalent, one of which should be History. Politics is not required but useful. However, this is a minimum requirement, which most students exceed; this is especially common for those who go to high achieving schools. Oxford uses contextual data as part of their decision-making process; this means that your achievements in relation to your school and postcode are considered when deciding to offer interviews, yet students are still expected to achieve the minimum grade requirements.
Applicants must submit a school essay as an example of their own work as part of the application. All History applicants must complete the History Aptitude Test, for which you must register. This usually takes place in November. The cut-off mark for the HAT will often vary between colleges, but a mark of 60 or above is usually regarded as a minimum. Around half of all applicants are interviewed. Some applicants may be offered a place for straight History instead.
A strong History & Politics applicant will have a strong interest in both subjects, proved and demonstrated through extensive extra-curricular reading and other relevant activities. They will have strong a strong work ethic, self-discipline, writing and research skills as well as be capable of independent work.
Statistics
2017 - Applications: 417, Offers: 61, Acceptance Rate: 12%.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Personal Statements
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Entrance Tests
Oxbridge entrance exams are different from GCSEs and A Levels; our Mentors can help you with them.
Interviews
Interviews are vital to Oxbridge success. They are also what students practise least; our Mentors can help.
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KEY HISTORY & POLITICS RESOURCES
Oxford
My passion for history stems from a realisation that so often the events of the past dictate the events of today and the prospects of the future, allowing us to trace the complexity of events and ideologies.