History - Local History

The taught component (Part I) will provide a practical guide to the writing of Irish Local History, discussing the most effective use of the main sources (both public and private records, from the thirteenth century to the twentieth) from a historical perspective. Particular attention will be devoted to the historiographical dimension of research and to the changing relationship between local and national history.

Programme Outline



The programme addresses the following:



Semester 1: Sources for Irish Local History



Course Introduction



UCC Archives and Library Holdings

Cork City and County Archives and Library Holdings

Digital History

Medieval Irish History

Early Modern Irish History

18th Century Irish History

19th Century Irish History

Irish Economic History

Digital Data Bases

Irish Labour/Social History



Semester 2:

Cork A Case Study



Programme Requirements

In Part I, Year I students take taught modules to the value of 30 credits. Students will also undertake work on the dissertation to the value of 15 credits during Year 1 which meets the satisfaction of the Programme Board. In Part II, Year 2 students complete a research dissertation of 25,000-30,000 words to the value of 60 credits.



Students take 90 credits as follows:



Part I - Year 1

HI6028 Independent Research I (5 credits)

HI6029 Independent Research II (5 credits)

HI6030 Perspectives on Local Cork History (10 credits)

HI6031 Local History Research: Sources and Methods (10 credits)



Part II - Year 2

HI6027 Research Dissertation (60 credits)

A Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in History or a cognate subject, or its equivalent.



Applicants with relevant experience in local historical studies (e.g. membership of local historical societies and/or heritage groups, publications, etc.) are also invited to apply.



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. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date

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

2 years, part-time.

Start Date 7 September 2026