10Feb
PostgraduateCourse summary
The MA in History brings together your own specialist field of interest and the broader academic discipline of history to prepare you for future research. The course is delivered by subject specialists whose expertise allows you to tailor the course to your own distinct areas of research. Areas of particular strength include African History, East Asian History, South Asian History, Transnational History, Medieval History, Early Modern History, Modern History, and Visual and Material Culture. You will complete one research-focused core module which offers a grounding in the practices, theories, approaches and methodologies of history. Beyond this, you will have the freedom to shape your own path through the course, choosing from a selection of optional modules that provide an in-depth exploration of topics and themes linked to current staff research. You can further tailor the course through your choice of dissertation. The course runs on a full-time basis for one year, or for two years part-time, and offers opportunities for wider academic networking through the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, the Centre for Nineteenth Century Studies, and the Centre for Visual Arts and Culture, among other research centres and institutes. The University has a vibrant and supportive learning community and is able to provide you with an extensive study resource thanks to its large number of libraries, archives, and special collections. Postgraduates are active in the academic and social life of the Department. They lead their own discussion groups, organise annual conferences, and meet with external keynote speakers, thereby forming an integral part of the Department’s wider research culture.
Modules
Core modules: Themes, Readings and Sources provides essential training in historical skills, methodologies, and theories, regardless of your specialism. As a core module, the focus is on the academic knowledge and practices relevant to history as a discipline. The module structure encourages you to apply the skills you develop to optional modules and dissertation preparation. The Dissertation brings together the skills and methods acquired in your modules to research and write an independent investigation of a specialist area of history using extensive secondary and primary source material. You can choose between a 15,000-word (60-credit) or a 20,000-word (90-credit) dissertation. Examples of optional modules: Palaeography: Scribes, Script and History from Antiquity to the Renaissance; A Safe Democracy? Constitutionalism, Extremism and Political Violence in Modern England, c. 1890-1939; Serious Fun: A History of Sport from the Late Middle Ages to the Present; Things That Matter: Material and Culture In/for The Digital Age; Negotiating Life in The Early Modern England; Intellectuals and Public Opinion in Global History; The Nature of History: Approaches to Environmental History; Power and Society in The Late Middle Ages; The City in History.
Assessment method
This course is delivered primarily through small group seminars, with some larger classes and lecture-style sessions where appropriate. Core content is taught through a series of seminars and will familiarise you with the skills and problems that are associated with advanced historical work. Small seminars constitute the vast majority of class time for optional modules. They encourage discussion and the sharing of ideas and you should expect to carry out a substantial amount of independent study in order to be able to contribute fully in the sessions. Occasionally, lectures might present key information, which can then be followed up in the smaller seminars. The nature of timetabled contact time varies from module to module with the majority of optional modules providing 20 contact hours. Your dissertation includes a further seven hours of one-to-one contact time with a supervisor who has specific knowledge in your topic of choice. Assessment is rigorous and ongoing during the course. Although methods of assessment vary by module, the majority include essays and presentations. You will also complete a dissertation which is worth either one-third or half your total marks, depending on the dissertation route you choose.
How to apply
International applicants
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
Entry requirements
Subject requirements are a 2:1, with an overall average score of 65% or above, or a GPA of 3.5 or above, or equivalent. An undergraduate degree in History or a related subject is required. You are required to submit the following information with your online application: Two Academic References – from people who are familiar with your work, commenting on your suitability for the programme An Academic CV– this should be no longer than 2 A4 pages and should contain information about your academic achievements to date and any related-work experience you have undertaken A sample of written work (up to 2,500 words for MA courses) Academic Transcripts and Certificates, if available– a copy of your undergraduate degree and postgraduate courses (dependent upon which degree course you are applying for) transcript and/or certificate, if degree already attained A 750-word outline of your intended research, concentrating on the research problem you will address, the research context in which it is located, and the methods, critical approaches, and sources you will use. You can upload this as part of the online application form. Personal Development Self-Assessment Table – Applicants are requested to complete and submit a self-assessment table with their online application.
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £6500 | Year 1 |
| EU | £13700 | Year 1 |
| International | £13700 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £13700 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Sponsorship information
For further information see the course listing.
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE