History

Course Outline

Our MA History is a comprehensive programme that is exceptionally flexible and customisable. It offers a work placement, explores public history, and grants the freedom to choose between four specialist streams:

• Medieval and Renaissance History

• Media and History

• Modern Ireland

• European and International History



In addition, our integrated skills training cultivates the contribution of historical perspectives and methods for contemporary life and work, and you will gain practical experience and skills by opting for a placement where historical and transferable skills are utilised.



The programme will allow you to develop your research ability by working on a dissertation reflecting your interests and you will be expertly supervised by leading scholars who will facilitate your ambitions for historical research and academia. We consciously build on links with the media, voluntary organisations, the heritage industry, government, and business highlighting the paths available to our History graduates.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

Placement is an optional part of the programme. Graduates taking up this route will be offered access to one-to-one consultations, workshops, and advice regarding job placement and internship options.

This 12-month course consists of two parts – a six-month taught component, which overlaps with an ongoing research phase, culminating in a 20,000-word dissertation. The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over two years.



Modules

Part I (45 credits total)

• HI6075 Making History Public (10 credits)

• HI6076 Changing Directions in History: Transformative Historians and their Work (5 credits)



Specialist Stream (20 credits)

Medieval and Renaissance History

• HI6090 The Insular World in Text and Image (10 credits)

• HI6077 The Classical Revival 1250-1500 (5 credits)

• HI6078 New World, Ancient Texts (5 credits)

• HI6094 Imagining the Medieval City: Historical Contexts for Medievalists (10 credits)



Modern Ireland

• HI6074 Debates in the Irish Revolution (10 credits)

• HI6087 Healthcare in Ireland, 1750-present (10 credits)



Media and History

• HI6083 Radicalism, Dissent and the Print Media in Modern Ireland (10 credits)



European and International History

• HI6026 US Foreign Policy and Contemporary History (10 credits)

• HI6045 War and Peace: the European State System from 1648 to 1990 (10 credits)



Plus 10 credits from any stream or choose one of:

• HI6063 Work Placement and Portfolio (10 credits)

• LT6001 Beginners' Latin (10 credits)



Part II

• HI6100 Dissertation (45 credits)



Postgraduate Diploma in History

MA candidates who pass Part I and opt not to proceed to Part II of the Master’s programme may register for HI6085: Research Project (15 credits) and, on successful completion of HI6085, are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in History. Students must submit HI6085 to the School by the second Friday in September in the same academic year or may register for HI6085 in the following academic year (part-time), following completion of Part I.

Candidates who pass Part I and opt to proceed to Part II of the Master’s programme and who fail, or fail to submit, Part II may register for HI6085 in the following academic year (part-time), and upon successful completion, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in History.



Postgraduate Certificate in History

MA Candidates who pass these 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in History.

To be considered for admission to the MA in History programme, an applicant will normally possess a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in History, or a cognate/suitable subject (normally in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or Law). For North American students a cumulative GPA of 3.3 is normal.



Applicants who hold a primary degree in History or a cognate/suitable subject with a Second Class Honours Grade II will also be considered (normally in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or Law), as will those with a GPA between 2.7 and 3.2. These applicants will be requested to provide additional information, documentation, samples of their work and/or be interviewed by a Selection Committee.



In exceptional circumstances, under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), professional experience in a relevant and related field (e.g. working in publishing, journalism, the heritage industry, archives etc.) may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree awarded at a grade lower than Second Class Honours Grade II. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with an MA in History?

The careers and workplace prospects for History graduates are excellent, which reflects the wide applicability of the discipline’s skills and its high standards. Contrary to popular perceptions, an MA in History does not necessarily lead to employment in the teaching profession, academia, libraries, research, archives, and so forth. It could do so, but the versatility of History graduates is well-known. Past MA graduates work in all walks of life nationally and across the globe, not least in government, multinational firms, and international organisations. Many have risen to positions of national and international responsibility and influence (entrepreneurs, top-level management, marketing managers, advertising, ambassadors, writers, politicians, museum directors, professors, technologists, think tanks etc.).



The innovative teaching and assessment regime offered by the School instills practical transferable skills (e.g. web displays, blogging, report writing, presentations, portfolios) supplementing the core strengths of the discipline (e.g. analysis, source criticism, inquiry-driven, meticulousness, information management, synthesis, clarity, breadth, and depth of perspectives).



Depending on individual choice, other skills may be cultivated such as conference planning and delivery, event planning, financial management, team building, leadership, negotiation, representation of collective interests etc. Optional engagement with the History Postgraduate Association, the Historical Society and School events (seminars, conferences, symposia) add additional competencies.



Occupations associated with an MA in History

Our graduates have a strong record of success in the following fields:

• Broadcasting and the media

• Central and local government (Ireland, the UK, and Europe)

• Civil Service (Ireland, the UK, and Europe) and Public Service

• Diplomacy and statecraft (Department of Foreign Affairs)

• Heritage and museums

• International and regional organisations (UN, EU, etc.)

• Journalism

• Librarianship, archives, and information management

• Non-governmental organisations

• Politics (local, national, and European)

• Policy research and formulation

• Public relations

• Publishing

• Teaching and universities (Ireland and the world)



Many of our graduates succeed in other fields too including:

• Conference and exhibition managers and organisers

• Business and entrepreneurship

• Customer service occupations

• Event planning and delivery

• Law

• Management

• Marketing and sales professionals

• University management and administration (in Ireland, UK, USA etc.)



Students often progress to successful PhD studies in all areas of History becoming tenured university lecturers and researchers in Ireland, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Europe and elsewhere.