Early Modern History

Course Overview

The M.Phil. in Early Modern History introduces graduates in History, the Humanities and the Social Sciences disciplines to research in the political, social, cultural and religious history of Ireland, Britain and continental Europe across the Early Modern period. This one-year programme is designed to familiarise students with a wide range of issues in, and approaches to, Early Modern History while also providing students with a rigorous training in research methods and relevant skills.



The programme is built around Trinity College Library's unparalleled research resources for the period from the Reformation to the French Revolution and reflects the full range of exciting world-leading new research currently being undertaken in Early Modern history within the Department of History. The course may also serve as an introduction to graduate study for students intending to pursue doctoral studies in Early Modern History.



Is This Course For Me?

This course is aimed at students interested in developing a deep knowledge into a period of history that had a significant impact on our current world. It can help to understand the origins of modern concepts such as democracy and globalisation and explain how different countries and societies have evolved overtime. Early Modern History is an incredibly interesting and complex period of history, as it covers a wide range of topics, from the political, social, and cultural events of the time to the important technological advances and scientific discoveries.

Course Structure

The core module for this course is Reading Early Modern History.



Students also choose two major subjects of study, one in each term. Subjects recently offered include: Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Early Modern Europe; A Global Revolution? France and the World in the 1790s; The War of Ideas in the English Revolution; Intoxicants in Early Modern Society: Consumption and Culture; and Ireland in Rebellion, 1793-1803.



In addition, students take modules focused on research training and skills. These are designed to introduce the diverse resources and methodologies that historians encounter in their research while also equipping students with the practical skills that are required for the study of early modern history.



The Research Seminar in Early Modern History hosted in association with the Trinity Long Room Hub provides an opportunity for invited early modernists from Ireland and elsewhere to discuss their work with graduate students.



The capstone of the course is the independent dissertation project. Students complete a dissertation of 15,000 words based on their own primary research. Each student is assigned a supervisor who provides individual academic guidance on their research project.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should normally have at least an upper second class (2.1) Honours Bachelor degree or equivalent (for example, GPA of 3.3) in history or a related discipline. Since places on the course are limited, applicants may be interviewed or asked to submit a writing sample for assessment.



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet B and B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date 30th June 2025

1 year full-time (EU and non-EU students) / 2 years part-time (EU/UK/EEA students only).

Next Intake September 2025

Career Opportunities

The MPhil helps prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers including in the museum and heritage sectors, libraries and archives, publishing, public policy and administration, teaching, media. It also provides invaluable training in research for those planning to pursue a doctorate and/or career in research.