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University College Cork

History

Course Outline
This comprehensive programme is exceptionally flexible and customisable. It offers a work placement, explores Public History and grants the freedom to choose between four pillars (Medieval and Renaissance, Media, Irish and International/European History).

One of the programmes qualities is its integrated skills training, in particular the value it places on cultivating the contribution of historical perspectives and methods for contemporary life and work. Students gain practical experience and skills by opting for a placement where historical and transferable skills are utilised.

The MA consciously builds on links with the media, voluntary organisations, the heritage industry, government and business highlighting the paths available to graduates.

The programme will allow you to develop your research ability by working on a dissertation reflecting your interests and you will be expertly supervised by leading scholars. The path to a career in historical research and academia is assisted.

Why Choose This Course?
Find out more about our School of History at this link historymatters.ucc.ie/
The School of History and 1916
An exceptional diversity of modules by national and international standards
Enormous flexibility to craft the degree you want
Empowers students to contribute positively to the world of work and wider society
Enhances the applied skills of a historian (Public and Applied History)
Promotes employability with a work placement (optional)
Backed by a department with a strong tradition of public engagement and an international reputation

Placement or Study Abroad Information
Placement is an optional part of the programme. Graduates taking up this route will be offered access to one-to-one consultation, workshops and advice regarding job placement and internship options.

Entry requirements

To be considered for admission to the MA in History programme, an applicant will normally possess a primary degree result of Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) primary degree (or equivalent) in History, or a cognate/suitable subject (normally in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or Law). For North American students a cumulative GPA of 3.3 is normal.

Candidates who hold a primary degree in History or a cognate/suitable subject with a Second Class Honours Grade II (2H2) will also be considered (normally in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or Law), as will those with a GPA between 2.7 and 3.2. These applicants will be requested to provide additional information, documentation, samples of work and/or be interviewed by a Selection Committee.

In exceptional circumstances, professional experience in a relevant and related field (e.g. working in publishing, journalism, the heritage industry, archives etc.) may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree awarded at a grade lower than 2H2. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website.

Duration

1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time

CKE44 Full-time; CKD24 Part-time

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with an MA in History?

Graduates of History can be assured that the past record of their predecessors in gaining employment is second to none. UCCs School of History is committed to delivering degrees designed to develop students skills to respond effectively to the demands of the world of work.

The careers and workplace prospects for History graduates are excellent, which reflects the wide applicability of the disciplines skills and its high standards. Contrary to popular perceptions, an MA in History does not necessarily lead to employment in the teaching profession, academia, libraries, research, archives, and so forth. It could do so, but the versatility of History graduates is well-known.

Past MA graduates work in all walks of life nationally and across the globe, not least in government, multinational firms and international organisations. Many have risen to positions of national and international responsibility and influence (entrepreneurs, top-level management, marketing managers, advertising, ambassadors, writers, politicians, museum directors, professors, technologists, think tanks etc.).

Why? The innovative teaching and assessment regime offered by the School instils practical transferable skills (e.g. web displays, blogging, report writing, presentations, portfolios) supplementing the core strengths of the discipline (e.g. analysis, source criticism, inquiry driven, meticulousness, information management, synthesis, clarity, breadth and depth of perspectives).

Depending on individual choice, other skills may be cultivated such as conference planning and delivery, event planning, financial management, teambuilding, leadership, negotiation, representation of collective interests etc. Optional engagement with the History Postgraduate Association, the Historical Society and School events (seminars, conferences, symposia) add additional competences.

Occupations associated with an MA in History?

Graduates of the School of History at UCC have a strong record of success in:
Broadcasting and the media
Central and local government (Ireland, the UK and Europe)
Civil Service (Ireland, the UK and Europe) and Public Service
Diplomacy and statecraft (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Heritage and museums
International and regional organisations (UN, EU etc.)
Journalism
Librarianship, archives and information management
Non-governmental organisations
Politics (local, national and European)
Policy research and formulation
Public relations
Publishing
Teaching and universities (Ireland and the world)

However, many of the Schools graduates succeed in other fields too:
Conference and exhibition managers and organisers
Business and entrepreneurship
Customer service occupations
Event planning and delivery
Law
Management
Marketing and sales professionals
University management and administration (in Ireland, UK, USA etc.)

Many have progressed to successful PhD study in all areas of History becoming tenured university lecturers and researchers in Ireland, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Europe and elsewhere.

Further enquiries

Dr. Mervyn O'Driscoll
email:mervyn.odriscoll@ucc.ie
Tel:+ 353 21 4903477 / 4903584 / 4902755

Dr. Andrew McCarthy
email:a.mccarthy@ucc.ie
Tel:00 353 21 490 3584/2755

Subjects taught

Find out more about our School of History at this link historymatters.ucc.ie/

The School of History and 1916

This 12-month course consists of two parts a six-month taught component, which overlaps with an ongoing research phase, culminating in a 20,000 word dissertation.

In part one, students take the following compulsory modules:
HI6075 Making History Public
HI6076 Changing Directions in History: Transformative Historians and their Work

Students also take 20 credits of their choice from one of the following streams:
Medieval and Renaissance History
HI6088 Historical Contexts for Medievalists (5 credits)
HI6089 Insular Encounters with the Wider World (5 credits)
HI6090 The Insular World in Text and Image (10 credits)
HI6077 The Classical Revival 1250-1500 (5 credits)
HI6078 New Worlds, Ancient Texts (5 credits)

Modern Ireland
HI6074 Debates in the Irish Revolution (10 credits)
HI6087 Healthcare in Ireland, 1750-present (10 credits)
HI6082 Female Activism and Feminism in Ireland, c. 1860-1985 (10 credits)

Media and History
HI6081 History on Screen: Film, Television and History (10 credits)
HI6084 From Wireless to the World Wide Web: Radio as Historical Source (10 credits)
HI6083 Radicalism, Dissent and the Print Media in Modern Ireland (10 credits)

European and International History
HI6026 US Foreign Policy and Contemporary History (10 credits)
HI6045 War and Peace: the European State System from 1648 to 1990 (10 credits)
HI6086 Booms and Busts: Key Issues in International Finance since 1700 (10 credits)

Students take an additional 10 credits from any stream or they may choose:
HI6063 Work Placement and Portfolio (10 credits)

In part two, students work closely with an academic supervisor to complete a 20,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choosing that normally reflects their specialist interests.

Given that this MA is delivered by a large and dynamic School, there are ample opportunities for discretionary engagement in field trips, conferences, seminars and other related activities.

Postgraduate Diploma in History
MA candidates who pass Part I and opt not to proceed to Part II of the Masters programme may register for HI6085 Research Project (15 credits) and, on successful completion of HI6085, are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in History. Students must submit HI6085 to the School by the second Friday in September in the same academic year or may register for HI6085 in the following academic year (part-time), following completion of Part I.

Candidates who pass Part I and opt to proceed to Part II of the Masters programme and who fail, or fail to submit, Part II may register for HI6085 in the following academic year (part-time), and upon successful completion, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in History.

Postgraduate Certificate in History
MA Candidates who pass these 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in History.

Comment

Course Practicalities
The taught part of the programme takes place from September to March approximately. The programme comprises a judicious blend of seminars, lectures, directed study, consultations and self-directed study. There is an inherent flexibility around inquiry-led components and ample time and space is timetabled to allow research and critical reflection. Most weeks, students will have 15 -18 hours of reading in addition to assignments. Class contact hours vary depending on module choice but usually range from five to six hours per week.

Preparation for the research part of the programme happens throughout the year (identifying a suitable research topic, liaising with an appropriate supervisor etc.) and the dissertation completion phase occurs between April and August approximately.

Assessment method

In the main, the MA is continuously assessed. A variety of assessment modes (e.g. long and short essays, literature reviews, proposals, blogs, web displays, radio archive analyses, treaty/document critiques, exhibitions, work placement portfolios, in-class assignments, oral presentations, producing a radio documentary, group project, etc.) cultivate a wide range of skills. The precise assessment mix is governed by module choice. One elective includes a formal written examination.

You undertake independent research for your dissertation in close consultation with your supervisor. The 50% weighting for the dissertation reflects the importance attached to independent research.

Application date

Closing dates

Closing Dates for Application

Applications for 2018 start dates will open on November 1st 2017.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught programmes (detailed below).

Some programmes have a specific closing date. Applicants are advised to consult with the postgraduate prospectus for programmes with a specific closing date.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for Postgraduate Taught courses are detailed below. However, we would advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 15th 2018 Offers will be made by January 29th 2018

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2018 Offers will be made by March 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2018
Offers will be made by May 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by July 2nd 2018
Offers will be made by July 16th 2018

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates September/October, January, April and July.

Non-EU Applicants:

Please visit the following page for further information for Non EU applicants http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/tau...