History - Medieval Studies

MA Medieval Studies

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

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

Who should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This programme is suitable for those who have an interest in the medieval world and wish to extend their knowledge and understanding. It appeals to those who wish to gain the necessary scholarly skills in the field while still having flexibility in subject matter. If your interests in the medieval world cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines, this is the ideal way of pursuing those 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.

Programme Outcomes
-Familiarity with the major research methodologies in the field of Medieval Studies.
-Knowledge of technical skills required for research in the field of Medieval Studies (e.g. languages, palaeography).
-Knowledge of various disciplinary approaches to the Middle Ages.
-Thorough knowledge of selected areas of Medieval Studies depending on their choice of modules.
-Advanced ability to think and reason critically, to evaluate evidence and argumentation, and to form a critical judgement of one's own work as well as the work of others.
-The ability to write a coherent, analytically rigorous and original research-based thesis on a selected area of Medieval Studies.

Core modules include:
Approaching the Middle Ages
Manuscript Studies
Palaeography

Stage 1 Option
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

The following entry routes are available:

MA Medieval Studies FT (Z182)
Duration 1 Years
Attendance Full Time
Deadline Rolling *
Apply Now

MA Medieval Studies PT (Z183)
Duration 2 Years
Attendance Part Time
Deadline Rolling *
Apply Now

* 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.