Global History

The Global History MA is designed to encourage you to think about historical problems beyond their local, national and regional contexts, training you to think about how historical change happens because of the interaction of local, global and international factors. It is suitable for students who have previously studied history, as well as for graduates of related subjects like law, business and economics, modern languages, or social sciences. All of our teaching at postgraduate level consists of seminar style debates led by a world-class researchers. We do not lecture postgraduate students. Our courses will help you to understand and critically think about the latest international scholarship upon the subjects that interest you most.



The School of History offers a thriving research culture with a range of seminars and in-house conferences organised. UCD is also very conveniently located for the use of Dublin city centre research and cultural institutions, including the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives where an extensive range of manuscripts and state papers are housed.



The combination of international, comparative, and global history perspectives that is unique to the UCD Global History MA will help you to better understand the ways in which enhanced global integration has shaped and continues to shape the world.



What Will I Learn?

Our course includes training in methodology and research, as well as cutting edge seminar courses on subjects like Gender, Empires and Imperialism, War and Political Violence (including terrorism, genocide and mass violence), Medicine, Religion, Revolution, Nationalism and Globalization. Every student is free to choose their own degree pathway and the modules on offer include courses in medieval, early-modern and modern history. Our geographical expertise covers most of the world. The modules are taught through seminars and you will develop expertise in presenting, analytical thinking, effective communication, and writing with clarity and precision.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

HIS42470 Global History MA Methods Autumn 10

HIS42020 Disseminating History Spring 10

HIS42880 Dissertation Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - B) 4 of:

HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn 10

HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn 10

HIS42390 Global Revolutions Autumn 10

HIS42460 Pop Culture in Modern Ireland Autumn 10

HIS42690 Delving into the Archives Autumn 10

HIS42810 French Colonial Identities in North Africa Autumn 10

HIS42840 Modern Asia Autumn 10

HIS42850 NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan Autumn 10

HIS42970 Gender in Ireland, 1500-1800 Autumn 10

HIS42380 Research Collaboration Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

HIS33010 Global History before AD 1000 Spring 10

HIS42480 War, Peace, and Globalisation Spring 10

HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring 10

HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Spring 10

HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Spring 10

HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring 10

HIS42950 How the West came to rule Spring 10

HIS42980 Middle East State & Society Spring 10

Minimum of 2.1 or international equivalent BA History or a cognate subject. Minimum of 2.1 in BA History or a cognate subject.



• You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course. In addition, a CV will be required.

• You will be asked to provide research proposal (one or two pages in length) which outlines preliminary topics/ideas for MA dissertation

• You will be required to provide an academic writing sample, e.g. an essay written during your degree or dissertation. (there is no word limit)

• Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation. Ideally both academic but they can also be one academic and one professional. You can upload your references to your application itself or if your referees prefer, they can email their letters of reference to gradhistory@ucd.ie.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes



This course is open to graduates from History or cognate disciplines.

90

Z347 Full-time 1 year, Z348 Part-time 2 years. Delivery: On Campus.

MA Global History (Z347) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7315

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MA Global History (Z348) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 4390

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Z347 Global History Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught



Z348 Global History Master of Arts Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Our graduates progress to a wide range of interesting careers.

Many of our alumni work in international business, foreign affairs and Dublin's vibrant tech sector, where a background in the global humanities is particularly valued. Other graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, the media, NGOs and the Arts, whilst some continue on to PhD research.