History

Course Outline
This comprehensive programme is exceptionally flexible and customisable. It offers a work placement, explores Public History and grants the freedom to choose between four pillars (Medieval and Renaissance, Media, Irish and International/European History).

One of the programme's qualities is its integrated skills training, in particular the value it places on cultivating the contribution of historical perspectives and methods for contemporary life and work. Students gain practical experience and skills by opting for a placement where historical and transferable skills are utilised.

The MA consciously builds on links with the media, voluntary organisations, the heritage industry, government and business highlighting the paths available to graduates.

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. The path to a career in historical research and academia is assisted.

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 will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Why Choose This Course
We are proud to offer you this programme which embraces history in all its facets. This programme will offer you extraordinary insight including:

An exceptional diversity of modules by national and international standards

Enormous flexibility to craft the degree you want

Empowers students to contribute positively to the world of work and wider society

Enhances the applied skills of a historian (Public and Applied History)

Promotes employability with a work placement (optional)

Backed by a department with a strong tradition of public engagement and an international reputation

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 consultation, workshops and advice regarding job placement and internship options.

Part I

In Part I, students take the following compulsory modules:
HI6075 Making History Public
HI6076 Changing Directions in History: Transformative Historians and their Work

Students also take 20 credits of their choice from one of the following streams:

Medieval and Renaissance History
HI6090 The Insular World in Text and Image (10 credits)
HI6077 The Classical Revival 1250-1500 (5 credits)
HI6078 New Worlds, Ancient Texts (5 credits)

Modern Ireland
HI6074 Debates in the Irish Revolution (10 credits)
HI6087 Healthcare in Ireland, 1750-present (10 credits)
HI6082 Female Activism and Feminism in Ireland, c. 1860-1985 (10 credits)

Media and History
HI6081 History on Screen: Film, Television and History (10 credits)
HI6084 From Wireless to the World Wide Web: Radio as Historical Source (10 credits)
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)
HI6086 Booms and Busts: Key Issues in International Finance since 1700 (10 credits)

Students take an additional 10 credits from any stream or they may choose:
HI6063 Work Placement and Portfolio (10 credits)

Part II
In Part II, students work closely with an academic supervisor to complete a 20,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choosing that normally reflects their specialist interests.

Given that this MA is delivered by a large and dynamic School, there are ample opportunities for discretionary engagement in field trips, conferences, seminars and other related activities.

Please see the Academic Calendar for more information on course and module content.

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.

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
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.

Candidates 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 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.

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

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please 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.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Briefly describe a research proposal that may form the basis of your thesis.

Please submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.)
Before completing the online application, intending candidates must consult with the relevant course coordinator or prospective supervisor to discuss/confirm their proposed research area.

Dr. Hiram Morgan (Course Coordinator)
School of History, University College Cork
Email: h.morgan@ucc.ie

OR

Deirdre O'Sullivan/Geraldine McAllister,
School of History, University College Cork
deirdre@ucc.ie

The School of History may ask applicants to provide letters of reference if necessary when considering applications.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June.

1 year Full-time, 2 years Part-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Skills and Careers Information
What can I do after I graduate with an MA in History?

Our graduates of History can be assured that the past record of their predecessors in gaining employment is second to none. UCC's School of History is committed to delivering degrees designed to develop students' skills to respond effectively to the demands of the world of work.

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.).

Why? 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:
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 study in all areas of History becoming tenured university lecturers and researchers in Ireland, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Europe and elsewhere.