History - Public History

MA Public History
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MA Public History draws upon the established strength and expertise of the UCD School of History. Within this program you will work closely with historians who are active in the practice of public history and commemorations. This course offers you the opportunity to build a tailored skillset that will allow you to disseminate history across multiple media, to explore how history can inform public discourse, and to shape policy in culture, education, politics, and the media. Through a mix of academic and practical modules, you will be guided through the theory and application of public history. The course also offers the opportunity for students to undertake relevant work experience in podcasting, publishing, policy, and print media.

- Provides successful graduates with both theoretical and practical skills to disseminate history across multiple platforms
- Develops skillset as a historian alongside interdisciplinary analysis of memory studies and commemoration
- Practical skills in podcasting, exhibitions, and conference organisation

Course Description
The course consists of a mixture of traditional history and public history modules. A built-in internship module offers students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a variety of real-world settings. Previous internships have been arranged at Marsh’s Library, Century Ireland, Newstalk FM, the Gallery of Photography Ireland, the National Folklore Collection, and UCD’s own History Hub. Students will develop the ability to understand historical problems in a comparative framework, while the dissertation module develops significant research skills.

Module offerings include:
- Disseminating History
- Politics and Communication: Internship
- Approaches to History
- An Introduction to Public History

Stage 1 - Core
Disseminating HistoryHIS42020
Introduction to Public History: Practicing Public HistoryHIS42310
Practising Public HistoryHIS42350
Public History Internship ProgrammeHIS42360
DissertationHIS42880

Stage 1 - Option
The Digital HumanitiesHIS32730
Origins of Modern DiplomacyHIS41780
Approaches to the Middle AgesHIS41840
Approaches to the MiddleAges IIHIS41850
Renaissance EuropeHIS41910
Global RevolutionsHIS42390
Pop Culture in Modern IrelandHIS42460
Global History MA MethodsHIS42470
Landscape and Environment in Ireland, 1500-1800HIS42490
De Valera's IrelandHIS42590
French Colonial IdentitiesHIS42810
One World, One Health?HIS42820
Modern AsiaHIS42840
NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to AfghanistanHIS42850
The Body in Modern WarfareHIS42860

- A primary degree in an appropriate field such as a Bachelor of Arts, or in a cognate discipline. You must supply details of any third level institutions you have attended and professional qualifications you have attained.

- Excellent academic grades 2H1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA 3.2 NFQ Level 8. Transcripts will be required.

- You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course.

- Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.

- 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.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MA Public History FT (Z247)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

MA Public History PT (Z248)
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.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability
Students graduating from this programme will be equipped for careers in media, history, further academic study (PhD programmes), research, policy, heritage, and education (both within Ireland and abroad). The quality and versatility of MA programmes within the School of History has allowed its graduates to pursue careers in a wide range of professions including journalism, publishing, teaching, government, law, archives, public relations, and librarianship.