History and Political Economy

History and political economy is a combination that asks some of the deepest questions about how human societies are organised and why they change. History provides the methods and the evidential base: the ability to read primary sources, to trace cause and consequence through time, and to understand how past events look different depending on when and from where you are looking. Political economy extends the analysis into the economic and political systems that distribute power and resources within and between societies.

Together they offer a particularly rich education in how the world got to where it is and what forces continue to shape it.

At King's College London, this three-year full-time programme moves across a wide chronological and geographical span, from the fall of Rome to the present day. You will examine the evolution of the world economy and the history of Western political ideas from antiquity through to contemporary debates. King's location in London, one of the world's most historically and financially significant cities, provides a powerful backdrop for studying political economy.

You will engage with primary sources across different periods and places, develop your ability to construct and sustain historical arguments, and engage with political and economic theory as tools for understanding historical change.

You will develop skills in archival research, close reading, argument construction, and written communication. The combination of historical and theoretical analysis trains you to think carefully about evidence, to understand complexity and contingency, and to resist simplistic narratives about why things happened.

Graduates from history and political economy programmes pursue careers in public policy, government, journalism, research, finance, law, the civil service, international organisations, and academia. The analytical and communication skills the degree develops are valued across a wide range of employers. Postgraduate study in history, political economy, international relations, economic history, or public policy is a natural next step for many.