MA/PGDip/PGCert History

Program Overview

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The MA History at the University of Birmingham offers students flexibility and expertise across various subjects. Students can specialize in pathways such as Medieval Studies or Modern British History. The program develops transferable skills in research methods, writing, critical thinking, and argumentation, preparing graduates for careers in fields like heritage, finance, and education.

Program Outline

It allows students to develop expertise across a variety of subjects, including Medieval Studies, Early Modern History, Global History, Contemporary History, and Modern British Studies. Students can also specialize in a particular historical pathway, including studying taught modules and writing their dissertation on a topic within the pathway area of specialism. Current pathways include:

• Modern and Contemporary History pathway
• Global History pathway
• Medieval and Early Modern History pathway
The program benefits from the expertise of a large number of historians at Birmingham, and the Department is unrivaled in the geographical and chronological breadth of its expertise.

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Outline:

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MA Program:

• Core Modules:
• Historical Approaches:
This module provides an advanced introduction to the ways historians have approached prominent themes within the modern historical discipline, such as religion, gender, race, class, community, and conflict. It introduces these themes through case studies and background reading, with an emphasis on historiographical development and theoretical, methodological, and interdisciplinary influences. Assessment: 3,000-word assignment (100%).
• Research Preparation: This module delivers three strands to support students in designing, planning, and researching an ambitious dissertation topic.
It covers key research skills, specialist sub-disciplinary skills, and one-to-one supervisions with an academic advisor. Assessment: 2,000-word literature review (75%), 10-minute oral presentation (25%).
• Pathway Core Module: Students taking MA History without a specialist pathway must take one of the 20-credit core modules from those offered across the specialist pathways.
• Optional Modules:
• Students following the MA History general pathway, without specializing, will take 60 credits of optional modules from the wide range of History options.
• It is possible to select options offered by other departments, such as African Studies, Classics and Ancient History, Cultural Heritage, Modern Languages, Art History, or English, with the approval of the Programme Director.
• Dissertation:
• Students will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 12,000-word dissertation.

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PGDip Program:

• Students will study both Historical Approaches and Research Preparation, plus 80 credits of optional modules.

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PGCert Program:

• Students will study Historical Approaches and 40 credits of optional modules.

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Assessment:

• MA Program:
• 3,000-word assignment for Historical Approaches (100%)
• 2,000-word literature review (75%) and 10-minute oral presentation (25%) for Research Preparation
• 12,000-word dissertation
• PGDip Program:
• 3,000-word assignment for Historical Approaches (100%)
• 2,000-word literature review (75%) and 10-minute oral presentation (25%) for Research Preparation
• PGCert Program:
• 3,000-word assignment for Historical Approaches (100%)

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Teaching:

• Learning and teaching take place via seminars, tutorials, reading texts on theory and methods, and research on primary sources.
• As a full-time MA student, you will typically take three modules in each semester, followed by your dissertation.
• As a part-time MA student, you will typically take three modules across each year, followed by your dissertation.
• Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.
• Postgraduate students in the College of Arts and Law have access to the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) for support with academic writing.
• International students can access support for English Language development and skills through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA).

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Careers:

• The program provides excellent preparation for a future career.
• The College of Arts and Law has a dedicated careers and employability team.
• History postgraduates develop a broad range of transferable skills, including research methods, information management, writing skills, critical and analytical ability, and argumentation.
• Some History postgraduates go on to work in heritage or museums, while others use their skills in finance, marketing, teaching, and publishing.
• Employers that graduates have gone on to work for include the Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence, University of Birmingham, Royal Air Force Museum, and University of Oxford.

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Other:

• The History Department is ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average, according to Times Higher Education.
• The University of Birmingham has been ranked as one of the world's top 100 institutions to study History in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.
• The MA History program will equip students with the research skills to read and assess relevant primary sources, carry out independent research, and write up their research.
• Students will join a lively postgraduate community with opportunities to enhance their learning through events and research seminars.
• The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report.
• Students will have the opportunity to receive one-to-one careers advice, meet employers face-to-face, attend careers fairs and workshops, and take part in activities to enhance their CV.
• Students will have access to careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.

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UK:

£10,530 full-time; £5,265 part-time

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International:

£23,310 full-time The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

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Payment:

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding. All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place. Find out more about the deposit >>.