AAA, or 38 IB points with 666 at Higher Level
The A-level requirement is AAA. The IB requirement is 38 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level.
Undergraduate · Oxford History and Politics
Oxford History and Politics: preparing for the joint degree
Oxford's History and Politics degree asks for two things the single-subject History degree does not: a mandatory reasoning test, the TARA, and a political half that is analytical as well as historical. Alongside that you submit the same kind of argument-driven historical essay as a History applicant. The decision is whether you want a degree built on both disciplines, rather than History or PPE. Oxford's wording below describes 2027 entry; nothing here is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in History and Politics
Taken from Oxford's History and Politics course page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
No required subject; History highly recommended
No subject is listed as required. Oxford highly recommends History, and says Sociology, Politics or Government and Politics can be helpful but are not required.
All applicants take the TARA
All applicants must take the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions, and all three modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task.
One argument-driven historical essay
All candidates submit one argument-driven essay on a historical topic, written in normal school or college work, up to 2,000 words, with a signed certificate about how it was written.
An online interview that may start from your work
Shortlisted candidates are invited to at least one online interview and may be asked to discuss their essay and statement, or to read and talk about a short passage.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's History and Politics course page, which describes 2027 entry. The UCAS deadline, TARA sittings and booking windows, the written-work submission deadline, interview dates, admissions statistics, fees and the two departments' own selection criteria pages were not read and are not stated.
The course
Two disciplines, a shared first year and a political theory core
Oxford says the course brings together complementary but distinct disciplines, with history of the British Isles, Europe and the world alongside political analysis. It points to the expertise of Oxford's political theorists and historians in the history of political thought, and to an emphasis on interdisciplinarity in papers on both sides. The first year has four examination papers and a short piece of assessed coursework: a historical period paper, an introduction to the theory of politics (or Theories of the State), an optional subject and The Practice of Politics, with a quantitative methods course in political analysis that is marked but not formally examined. In later years students take seven components, including a British Isles period, a European and World period and any two of five core Politics subjects.
Choosing between courses
History and Politics, History, or PPE?
Three Oxford degrees invite this comparison. Each has its own application requirements, so the choice should be made on the content you want, not on an assumption that the applications are alike.
Choose History and Politics if
you want historical argument and political analysis in the same degree, including political theory and a quantitative methods strand, and you are prepared for a reasoning test.
Choose History if
your interest is historical study throughout. The single-subject degree has no mandatory test, and this series has a guide to it.
Look at PPE if
you want Philosophy and Economics alongside Politics. That is a different course with its own guide.
Cambridge History and Politics is not the same
Cambridge sets its own requirements. Do not transfer rules between the two.
Reading the offer
AAA, with History recommended and no required subject
The grade requirement is AAA, or 38 IB points with 666 at Higher Level. No subject is required, but Oxford highly recommends History and lists Sociology, Politics and Government and Politics as helpful. A candidate who has only the politics-related subjects will want to show historical engagement elsewhere, and one who has History but no politics will want to show that the political half is wanted. Neither is a rule.
The test
The TARA is compulsory, and all three modules count
Every applicant takes the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions, and Oxford says all applicants must take all three modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task. This is the main practical difference from the single-subject History degree. Test dates and booking windows change by cycle and are not stated here. The test needs preparation of its own: practise the formats under time pressure, and practise writing a focused answer to a prompt.
Written work and interview
The historical essay and a passage in the interview
The essay is the same kind of document as for History: one argument-driven essay on a historical topic, up to 2,000 words, written in normal school or college work, with the question it answers and a signed certificate. Oxford asks you not to send source analyses or commentaries. In the interview, shortlisted applicants may be asked to discuss that essay and their personal statement, and may be asked to read and talk about a short passage. Tutors look for intellectual curiosity, flexibility with unfamiliar arguments and enthusiasm for history and politics.
A decision framework
Three questions before you choose the joint degree
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Do you want to read political theory?
The first-year core includes the theory of politics. If that sounds like homework rather than a draw, History or another course may fit better.
Can you move between argument and evidence?
Write a short historical argument and then a short political one on the same event. If both come naturally, the joint degree is plausible.
Are you ready for the test as well as the essay?
The TARA and the essay are different skills. Plan your preparation so neither crowds out the other.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.
Grades, the History recommendation, the compulsory TARA and the single historical essay: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Application deadline, TARA sittings and booking windows, written-work submission deadline, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's History and Politics course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Decide whether the joint degree is wanted, keep your best argument-driven History essays, and start practising reasoning and writing tasks under time limits.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support with test preparation, argument and interview practice does not extend to writing, editing or rewriting any submitted essay, which must be the applicant's own work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Oxford History and Politics entry requirements?
AAA at A level, or 38 IB points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. No subject is required, and History is highly recommended. This is Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I have to take the TARA?
Yes. Oxford says all applicants must take the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions, and all three modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task.
What written work do I submit?
One argument-driven essay on a historical topic, written as part of normal school or college work, up to 2,000 words, with a signed certificate stating how it was written.
Is Politics A level helpful?
Oxford says Sociology, Politics or Government and Politics can be helpful, although they are not required for admission.
Will the interview involve my essay?
Oxford says shortlisted applicants may be asked to discuss their written work and personal statement, and to read and talk about a short passage.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Oxford History and Politics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their History and Politics work, their reasoning practice and their choice of written submission, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.