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Course description
The friendliness and approachability of the lecturers, who created an encouraging and open environment where I felt comfortable seeking advice, discussing ideas, and engaging in debates, played a key role in my decision to stay at Manchester.
The sense of community fostered by both academics and students made the University of Manchester the perfect place to continue my studies and I am proud to now be pursuing my PhD here.
Sophie Stanford / MA History Graduate 2024
Our MA History master's course enables you to tailor your postgraduate studies to suit your interests.
Your focus could be chronological (medieval, early modern or modern), geographical (European, transnational, global) or methodological (cultural or economic and social history).
Alternatively, you can create a wide-ranging course for yourself by choosing units from a variety of areas, including thematic course units that transcend orthodox boundaries to facilitate intellectual breadth and imagination.
You will undertake rigorous theoretical and methodological training and you will become an integrated member of the research community with the chance to engage with outstanding researchers, resources and facilities.
We have over 30 members of staff with world-class expertise in medieval, early modern and modern history, stretching across national and international boundaries, with strong representation in economic, social and cultural approaches to history.
Special features
Skills training
Skills training can be tailored to specialist interests with language training, including Latin, and palaeography or methods training in social science.
Our course also offers outstanding doctoral research preparation training through the core units and skills training programme.
Careers and employability focus
Benefit from our clear focus on employability which enables you to develop transferable skills.
We'll also encourage you to become involved in outward-facing research and social engagement.
Teaching and learning
Our course units are interactive, and the small seminar is the rule.
The History department pioneered the way that History is taught in England - introducing the undergraduate dissertation and leading the development of economic history.
We continue to endeavour to introduce cutting-edge strategies to promote excellence in teaching, feedback and student experience.
Coursework and assessment
The MA History course comprises 180 credits made up of:
- advanced coursework: 90 credits
- research training: 30 credits
- dissertation: 60 credits.
Taught course units are generally assessed by a 6,000-word essay per 30-credit unit (this will vary for the quantitative and qualitative research methods units).
You will research and write your dissertation from spring through to August. Supervision is offered at least until July.
The degree is awarded at Pass, Merit, and Distinction levels.
Course unit details
You will choose one of six core units:
- The History of Capital
- Medieval and Early Modern Studies
- Modern Britain
- Race, Migration & Humanitarianism
- Transnational/Comparative History
- War, Culture and Conflict.
You will also choose four optional units. Options in History are organised chronologically and geographically, but also include innovative thematic units, for example on gender and sexuality, that transcend orthodox boundaries.
We have a strong record in promoting interdisciplinary study, and you may select units from elsewhere in the University with permission.
The Public History unit offers a vocational pathway through the course by promoting transferable skills and focusing on the significance of history in heritage, social policy, third sector work and the media.
You will also receive skills training to equip you to pursue the MA dissertation, a major piece of original research. The Board of Examiners has commended the exceptional quality of research, highlighting dissertations that were 'publishable'.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Dissertation | HIST60070 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Historical Research 1 | HIST64181 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Historical Research 2 | HIST64282 | 15 | Mandatory |
| American Studies: Theories, Methods, Practice | AMER60091 | 30 | Optional |
| Race, Gender and Power in the American South: From Slavery to Segregation | AMER62001 | 15 | Optional |
| Intensive Latin 1 | CAHE70171 | 15 | Optional |
| Humanitarianism and Conflict Response: Inquiries | HCRI60031 | 15 | Optional |
| Remaking Modern British History | HIST60041 | 30 | Optional |
| War, Culture and Conflict | HIST61041 | 30 | Optional |
| Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking in the Arts & Humanities | HIST61132 | 30 | Optional |
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Scholarships and bursaries
Students applying for this MA are eligible to apply ESRC funding. Find out more on the Fees and funding page.
What our students say
I chose to study MA History at Manchester because it was the perfect opportunity to take my passion for history to the next level and an essential step in my goal of becoming an academic. I decided to continue at the University of Manchester because of the incredible experience I had whilst studying BA History here. The vast range of modules offered allowed me to explore diverse areas of history, with the breadth of expertise in the department allowing me the freedom to pursue my interests in both coursework and my thesis. Read more.
Written by Sophie Stanford PHD Student, MA History 2024
Facilities
The University of Manchester and John Rylands Libraries offer immense holdings of printed primary medieval sources and extensive holdings for early modernists, including approximately 12,500 books printed between 1475 and 1640 (eg books printed by Caxton).
You can also access the largest e-book holdings of any UK academic library and special collections at the John Rylands Library, including the Methodist Archives and Collection, the French Revolution Collection, the Women's Suffrage Movement Archive and the Labour Party Library Collections.
Other collections include other papers of prominent scientists and academics, and collections in military, diplomatic, and colonial history.
Find out more on the Facilities page.