History - Medieval Studies

UCD is a university with real depth and breadth of expertise in medieval studies, located in a city with a rich medieval heritage. The study of the Middle Ages has flourished at UCD for over a century, and the MA Medieval Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach, offering modules across a variety of disciplines, including Archaeology, Art History, Classics, English, History, Languages, and Music. Classes are designed around small-group sessions in which students work with a specialist in the field and are allowed to develop their own areas of interest and research skills to produce a dissertation. UCD's archives hold some of Ireland's most important medieval manuscripts, and the library's resources include the source collections and databases essential for medieval scholarship.

- Interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages
- Small group work
- Opportunity to pursue individual research interests

Vision & Value Statements
Our students come from different academic backgrounds and choose a range of career paths. What they have in common is an interest in the medieval world, and an eagerness to explore different ways of investigating and understanding that world. We value an interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages: students are allowed to choose from relevant subjects in History, English, Irish, Archaeology, Languages, Classics and Music, from Ireland to Byzantium and from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance. We use complementary learning and assessment methods, culminating in a research dissertation.

Students are introduced to research methods and skills in small groups, working with their peers; they attend classes on specialist subjects of their choice; they work with a supervisor on a dissertation subject. They are taught by specialists in their field and are encouraged to participate in the community of medieval scholars at UCD through seminars and reading groups. As such, it is a suitable preparation for intending to go on to a research degree or a professional career, or for those who simply want to extend their understanding of the medieval period.

Related Programmes
MA Archaeology FT
MA History FT
MA Medieval Studies FT
MA Medieval English Literature & Culture FT

Core modules include:
Approaching the Middle Ages
Manuscript Studies
Palaeography

Option modules include:
Celtic Ireland
Early Medieval Archaeology
Fourteenth-century English literature
Early Music
Byzantine Art
Medieval Historical Writing

- An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or the overseas equivalent, in an Arts or Humanities discipline is required.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6 in each element), or equivalent.

- Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to apply:
How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MA Medieval Studies FT (Z182)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

MA Medieval Studies PT (Z183)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

Z182: 1 year full-time or Z183: 2 years part-time.

Careers & Employability
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 humanities is particularly valued. Other graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, the media, NGOs and the Arts, while some continue on to PhD research.