History

This is a broad-ranging programme covering the history of Ireland, Britain, Russia and the Soviet Union, the Mediterranean world, the British Empire and America since the early modern period. You will benefit from our wide range of specialisms in social, political and cultural history, and comparative and transnational histories.

We have particular strengths in the history of medicine, ethics, and emotions. You will be taught by leading authorities in these fields, and will gain advanced training in historical methods, skills, and theories with historical experts. You will also develop an innovative public history project before independently pursuing a dissertation topic of your own choice.

You may progress to doctoral research, education roles or careers in areas such as libraries, archives, museums, research for charities, official organisations, government, marketing, advertising, publishing, the civil service, or politics.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Year one
Exploring Archives and Digital Records
This module offers a detailed guide to students of how to find, critique and use primary sources at postgraduate level.

Comparative Themes in International and Irish Political History
This module, taking a comparative approach, will examine several key themes in modern political history.

The Historian's Craft: Reading and Writing about the Past
This module will enable students to deepen their ability to reflect on historical writing through the reviewing of a key historiographical area. Students will explore foundational monographs and articles relevant to their topic and examine how the historian writes about the past. It will prepare students' for their dissertation by developing skills in analysing secondary literature.

Dissertation in History
The research and writing up of a dissertation on an historical topic.

The European Colonies in the Americas, c.1500-1900
Within this module students will examine a key themes relating to the European Colonies in the Americas, c.1500-1900.

Public History: Communicating Research in the Digital World
This module introduces students to public history and asks them to develop a practice- based project based on their own original topic.

Historical (Auto)Biography and the Russian Revolution
This module enables students to consider the important historical genres of auto(biography) with a special emphasis on the Russian Revolution. It will introduce the main theoretical approaches to the study of auto(biography) and chart how these have changed over several hundred years. The module will then cover in detail the lives of five leading revolutionaries, connected to the Russian Revolution. This allows the students to think critically about the application of historical methods to individual lives, and the role of the individual life in History. This involves deep engagement with primary and secondary sources. This module is intended to provide a critical and content-based approach to a range of study opportunities that can be used as a foundation for further study in the 'Historian's Craft' modules, History in Practice and the Master's thesis.

The History Wars: Debates and Controversies in Historical Enquiry:
The module examines some important debates and controversies in historical studies through detailed study of historiography, key historians' works, and the contexts which shaped them.

To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University's General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

These vary depending on the course and are detailed online.

1st class or high 2:1 is desirable. However, we may consider applicants with a lower second class degree. While a history undergraduate degree is desirable, we do accept applicants from other discipines.

The degree held must be from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.

Applicants may alternatively hold an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma, or an approved alternative qualification. They must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent). In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. The onus is on the applicant to evidence that they have relevant experience equating to degree study at honours level. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language this course requires
a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band
score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students (full-time only).

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Career options
Students graduating with the MA in History are well-prepared to undertake a variety of occupations. Some students will progress to doctoral research and academic careers. Others will become teachers or lecturers in further education. Not all MA graduates become teachers or university lecturers. Other options include work in libraries, archives, museums, or full-time work in research for charities, official organisations, government, etc. Others may go into marketing advertising, publishing, the civil service or politics. Our MA programmes have been known to help teachers advance their careers. Others pursue these degrees purely through interest and a love of the past. All graduate occupational outcomes are enhanced by a higher qualification such as this. We also have a strong history of securing PhD funding for our most talented students.