The School was formed during the merger of the former Universities of Natal and Durban-Westville. It incorporates:

• Political Science on the Howard College, Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses
• Economic History (Howard College)
• Government, Business and Ethics Programme (Pietermaritzburg)
• International Studies (Pietermaritzburg)
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics Programme (Howard College)
• Public Policy (Howard College)

It also serves as the institutional home of the PPP (Public Policy Partnership Programme) which presently has offices on the Westville campus.