MA History

The MA in History involves class-based learning and an optional opportunity for practical work placement, alongside one-on-one supervision. This course is best suited for those who wish, for a variety of reasons, to have structured classroom guidance during their studies, or for those wanting more support for planning their dissertation research project. There are 5 taught modules spread over two semesters, while the dissertation is 15,000 words. This program offers world-renowned one-on-one supervision and small classes so you can develop your research interests, while assessments prepare you for your specific career. Practical work experience is available in a range of fields, along with support writing CVs and job applications. You can learn a language, take paleography, or complete a work placement as part of your degree.

Core Modules

• HIS-40002 Approaches to Historical Research (30 Credits), Semester 1

Assessment:
– Presentation (c.5 minutes) 10%
– Reflective Diary (1500 words) 20%
– Essay (3000 words) 70%

• HIS-40017 Research Skills in the Humanities (15 credits), Semester 1

Assessment:
– Dissertation outline (1500 words) 50%
– Annotated bibliography (2000 words) 50%

• HIS-40016 Reflective Practice in the Humanities (15 credits), Semester 2

Assessment:
– Reflective Diary (4000 words) 100%

Optional Modules

• HIS-40060, Constructing Nations (semester 1)

Assessment:
– Presentation (10 minutes) 20%
– Essay (3000-4000 words) 80%

• ENG-40057, Work Placement for Humanities Postgraduates (semester 2)

Assessment:
– CV and Placement Plan (1000 word essay) 20%
– Presentation (15-minutes) 30%
– CV (updated) and Portfolio of work (500-word summary and 3000-word critical
reflection, or equivalent) 50%

• HIS-40080, Subject Specialism I and HIS-40082, Subject Specialism II

Semester I
– David Ballantyne: Eyes on the Prize
– Ian Atherton: The English Civil War
– Shalini Sharma: Religion, Rebellion, and the Raj: The Partition of India
– Kate Cushing: Spirituality and Social Change I
– Rachel Bright: The Making of Contemporary Africa I
– Alannah Tomkins: Sickness and Suffering: Health, Illness, and Medicine in England, 1628-1808
– Dominic Janes: Gender and Sexuality in Georgian Britain
– Anthony Kauders: Crisis, Rupture, and Opportunity: German 'Modernity'1900-1933
– Andrew Sargent: The Making of Middle Britain: A Northumbrian Nativity
– Lena Liapi: Crime Worlds in early modern England 1

Semester 2
– David Ballantyne: Eyes on the Prize
– Ian Atherton: The World Turned Upside Down
– Shalini Sharma: Negotiating Nationalisms and Partitions: Partition of India II
– Kate Cushing: Spirituality and Social Change II
– Rachel Bright: The Making of Contemporary Africa II
– Dominic Janes: Gender and Sexuality in Victorian Britain
– Ben Anderson: Urban Lives in Modern Europe, 1914-1939
– Andrew Sargent: The Making of Middle Britain: The Mercian Moment
– Lena Liapi: Crime Worlds in early modern England 2

Assessment (for all Subject Specialism modules):

– Reflective Diary (1500 words) 20%
– Essay (4000 – 5000 words) 80%

Employability

You will be equipped to excel in any career which values critical thinking, communications skills, and the gathering, assessment, and analysis of data and evidence. Alumni have gone on to work in law, teaching, libraries, archives, museums, the civil service, journalism, politics, research for charities, NGOs, government bodies, think tanks, broadcasting, advertising, or continued research at PhD level. This degree will also help with job application preparation, CV writing, and Ph.D. funding applications, as appropriate.