What you will study
This module focuses on the development, to an advanced level, of core skills in primary and secondary source analysis and the ability to communicate research in a range of formats to academic and non-academic audiences. Module materials address a broad range of themes and topics, as well as the diverse histories of people living in Britain and Ireland in the early modern and modern period, including histories of women and other marginalised groups.
Before you begin, you’ll be asked to specialise in either early modern (c.1500–c.1780) or modern history (c.1750–c.1970). All students study the same material at the start of the module, which begins by reviewing and interrogating the core principles of the discipline to understand what it means to be a historian. You'll survey the many different forms of history practised inside and outside the academy and examine the craft of the historian: research, analysis and communication. You'll also address the ways in which the discipline and our understanding of history have been shaped by the enfranchisement of various groups within society over time.
From Block 2 onwards, you'll specialise in the study of either early modern or modern Britain and Ireland. This will involve studying the approaches historians have taken in their research and writing on your chosen period. You'll become immersed in the key historiographical debates and trends, and acquire training in the use of sources peculiar to your specialist period. For example, you might examine early modern images and manuscripts or modern sound recordings and moving images.
In Block 3, you'll choose between two specialist themes. One theme will focus on your period of specialism, and the other will take a longue durée approach, or in other words, span a longer duration of time. If you're specialising in early modern history, you may opt for a theme on political communication from c.1500 to c.1750, and if you specialise in modern history, you may opt for a theme on environment and landscape history from c.1750 to c.1970. All students have the option of studying the longue durée theme on interpersonal violence from c.1500 to c.1970.
Block 4 provides another opportunity for theme-based study. If you're specialising in early modern history, you may opt for a theme on bodies and health, c.1550 to c.1780, and if you specialise in modern history, you may choose a theme focusing on the history of modern institutions. Alternatively, all students have the option of studying a longue durée theme, in this case focusing on immigration to Britain and Ireland between c.1500 and c.1970.
Throughout Blocks 3 and 4, you will be exposed to and receive training in using a wide range of specialist resources for primary source research.
You will learn
This module will:
- familiarise you with key events which shaped either early modern or modern Britain and Ireland
- expose you to historiographical trends in the study of either early modern or modern Britain and Ireland, including those at the forefront of academic history
- develop, to an advanced level, your skills in the location, handling and analysis of a wide range of primary sources
- prepare you for the planning and execution of an independent research project as part of MA History part 2 (A884).
Vocational relevance
The module will contribute to enhancing your prospects in careers such as teaching, libraries, archives, museums, heritage and tourism industries, as well as providing content relevant to the continuing professional development of employees in public-facing roles such as education, police, and social and health services.
Entry
You must hold an honours degree (or equivalent) to study our MA in History. Although your degree does not need to be in History or a closely related subject, you will need some knowledge of the subject to successfully complete this qualification, as the MA in History assumes all students have the knowledge and skills usually acquired by pursuing the subject at undergraduate level.
An honours degree of at least 2.1 (or equivalent) will greatly increase your chances of successfully completing the MA in History.
Alternative entry
Applications from candidates who don't have an honours degree but do have knowledge and skills relevant to studying history at postgraduate level, demonstrable through a track record of prior study and/or work experience (paid or voluntary), will be considered. Applicants must include the following information when returning the requested entry check documentary evidence.
- Details of why you are interested in studying our MA in History, details of any skills and knowledge you have relevant to studying history at postgraduate level, and any further information that you feel might support your application (e.g. membership of historical societies, publications on historical themes).
- A CV (2 pages max)
- Evidence of prior study, if applicable (e.g. copies of certificate or transcript of higher education, further education or professional qualifications).
Additional considerations
If your degree or background is not in history or a related subject, we recommend that you take this self-diagnostic test. If, after trying the test, you are not confident about studying this module, we recommend that you work through the resources listed in the Preparatory work section below.
It is expected that your spoken and written English will also be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for more details.
If you’re in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications or previous experience, please contact us.
Preparatory work
Open Learn offers two free courses which are designed to prepare students for postgraduate study: Succeeding in postgraduate study and Are you ready for postgraduate study? We strongly encourage you to complete one or both.
As this module focuses on the use of digital resources for the study of history, we also recommend the Open Learn course Digital Humanities: Humanities research in the digital age, which will help you to develop your research skills.
If you wish to prepare for this module, you are encouraged to read The Pursuit of History: Aims, Methods, and New Directions in the Study of History by J. Tosh (see 'Study materials' for more details).