Medieval Studies MA

Program Overview

The MA Medieval Studies program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of medieval history and culture, equipping students with skills for careers in the heritage sector or PhD studies. It features one-on-one mentorship, modules in various fields, and access to research centers and medieval resources in Exeter, a city with a rich medieval heritage.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of medieval history and culture. The program boasts a strong faculty with expertise in various fields, including medieval history, archaeology, French literature, English literature, and Arab and Islamic studies. The program aims to:

• Equip students with valuable skills for a career in the heritage sector or for pursuing PhD studies.
• Provide access to a wealth of medieval resources in the South West and a dedicated institutional research center.

Outline:

The program is structured into modules, each assigned a specific number of credits. The credit rating reflects the total workload, with 1 credit equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Modules:

The specific modules available may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, new topics of study, timetabling, and student demand. However, the program typically includes modules such as:

• Medieval Masterclass: This module provides students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with individual academics.
• Other modules: The program also includes modules covering various aspects of medieval history and culture, such as medieval history, archaeology, French literature, English literature, and Arab and Islamic studies.

Assessment:

• Coursework: Students are assessed on the coursework they produce for their modules during the first two terms.
• Dissertation: In the third and final term, students research and write a dissertation on a topic of their choosing related to Medieval Studies.
This dissertation can serve as the basis for a later research proposal at the PhD level.

Teaching:

• Small groups and seminars: Most teaching is conducted in small groups and seminars, encouraging students to present their ideas, discuss and debate key points, and interpret common readings.
• Collaborative approach: The program emphasizes a collaborative approach to learning, providing students with access to academic staff who support them throughout the program and assist with PhD applications or work placements.

Careers:

The MA Medieval Studies program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including:

• Doctoral study: The program is ideal preparation for PhD study in History or Medieval Studies.
• Heritage sector: The program equips students with skills for careers in the heritage sector, such as assistant archivist, associate research fellow, author, foreign expert, HR coordinator, lecturer, marketing & PR executive, media planner, ministry assistant, national trust volunteer internship, paralegal, and more.

Other:

• Research centers: The program is hosted by the History Department and provides access to various research centers, including:
• Centre for Early Modern Studies
• Centre for Imperial and Global History
• Centre for Maritime Historical Studies
• Centre for Histories of Violence and Conflict
• Centre for Medical History
• Centre for Medieval Studies
• Institute of Cornish Studies
• Postgraduate Reading Group: The program includes a Postgraduate Reading Group for matters medieval, bringing together Masters and PhD students to share ideas.
• Research pages: Students can learn more about the academic staff and their research interests on the University's Research pages.
• Access to resources: Students benefit from access to Exeter Cathedral Library and the University libraries, which maintain excellent holdings relevant to medieval studies.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: £12,000 full-time; £6,000 part-time International fees per year: £24,300 full-time; £12,150 part-time