Medieval Studies

This MA in Medieval Studies is for students who are interested in any aspect of the medieval world and who wish to take those interests further. Whether those interests lie in Irish or European history, literature or archaeology, art history or music, languages and manuscript studies or modern interpretations of the medieval, this programme offers students the opportunity to choose modules from such areas and combine them as they wish. While emphasizing choice and drawing on the wide range of expertise in medieval disciplines across the University, the MA also ensures that students gain a strong training in scholarly approaches to the medieval past and its people, as well as an opportunity to pursue in-depth research on a specialist dissertation topic.



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.



UCD is a university with real depth and breadth of expertise in medieval studies, while UCD’s archives hold some of Ireland’s most important medieval manuscripts. Students are able to take advantage of UCD’s location in Dublin, a city founded by the Vikings, and may avail of resources nearby, including the National Library, other library collections and regular research seminars across the city. Dublin is an ideal base from which to explore Ireland’s medieval sites.



• Interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages

• Small group work

• Opportunity to pursue individual research interests



What Will I Learn?

Students are introduced to research methods and skills in small groups, working with their peers; they attend classes on specialist subjects of their choice; and are allowed to develop their own areas of interest and research skills to produce a dissertation. 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 include:

• 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.



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.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

HIS41840 Approaches to the Middle Ages Autumn 10

HIS41850 Approaches to the MiddleAges II Spring 10

GSAC40260 Dissertation (Medieval Studies) Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - B) 40CR:

Students select modules worth a total of 40 credits. It is recommended that students balance their workload between the first and second trimester.

ARCV41330 Introduction to Palaeography: Medieval and Early Modern Scripts Autumn 5

CCIV20100 Intro to Medieval Welsh Autumn 5

CCIV30070 Introduction to Early Irish 1 Autumn 5

CCIV30110 Early Irish Myths & Sagas Autumn 5

ENG20230 Reading Old English I Autumn 5

ENG31960 Apocalypse Then: Old Eng. Lit. Autumn 10

ENG32070 Medieval Celluloid Autumn 10

ENG32740 King Arthur: History & Romance Autumn 5

GRC40010 Warfare and Society in the Ancient World Autumn 10

HIS32430 Florence 1200 - 1400 Autumn 10

HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn 10

HIS32880 Sexuality and Society Autumn 10

HIS33200 The 'Papal Revolution': Religion, Power, and the Transformation of Medieval Europe, c.1049-c.1123 Autumn 10

LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn 10

LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn 10

MUS20400 Early European Music Autumn 5

PHIL31160 Medieval Metaphysics: John Scotus Eriugena Autumn 10

AH30600 From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics Spring 10

ARCH20610 Historical Archaeology Spring 5

ARCH30530 Early Medieval Ireland and Beyond: Social Identity and Belonging AD 400-1100 Spring 5

ARCH30830 Medieval Buildings: An Arch Spring 10

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10

CCIV30100 Introduction to Early Irish 2 Spring 5

EDF40060 Digital Methods Spring 10

ENG20770 Advanced Old & Middle English Spring 5

GRC40330 Exploring New Worlds Spring 10

HIS31500 Past, Present and Future in Medieval England Spring 10

HIS32720 Frontiers of Empire Spring 10

HIS33010 Global History before AD 1000 Spring 10

HIS33260 Conquest: 1066, 1169: The Norman Invasions of England and Ireland Spring 10

HIS42020 Disseminating History Spring 10

LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring 10

MUS31490 Music and Sexuality in Early European Musical Cultures Spring 10

MUS41300 Creating the Musical Self in Medieval Europe Spring 5

• 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/



• You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course. In addition, a CV will be required.



• You will be asked to provide research proposal (one or two pages in length) which outlines preliminary topics/ideas for MA dissertation



• You will be required to provide an academic writing sample, e.g. an essay written during your degree or dissertation. (there is no word limit)



• Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation. Ideally both academic but they can also be one academic and one professional. You can upload your references to your application itself or if your referees prefer, they can email their letters of reference to gradhistory@ucd.ie.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

Z182: 1 year full-time

Z183: 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus.

Z182 Medieval Studies Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



Z183 Medieval Studies Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Our graduates progress to a wide range of interesting careers as students take the Medieval Studies MA for different reasons. Some aim to go on to further advanced graduate research, such as a PhD degree; others simply want to deepen their understanding of a subject that fascinates them. But many choose this MA because of the opportunities it affords for careers and employability beyond academia. 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 the media and NGOs, while the MA is an especially strong foundation for work in such areas as the Arts, heritage, tourism, and education. The skills learned in this programme - mastery of complex information, critical thinking, verbal and written expression, and group work - are those especially valued by employers.