Course summary

About this Course This MA focuses on the National Socialist genocide of the Jews (the Holocaust) as both a profound historical event and as a source of collective memory from 1945 to the present. You will gain a deep, critical understanding of the different ways the Holocaust has been explored, discussed, and presented globally. The course is designed and taught by the internationally recognized Parkes Institute for the study of Jewish and non-Jewish relations, which houses one of the largest Jewish archives in Europe. We are ranked 10th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026). Key Features and Structure • Distinctive Specialization: The program moves beyond pure history to integrate the critical study of Holocaust heritage, commemoration, and public history. • The Parkes Institute: You will benefit from the expertise of this world-renowned center and have access to its unique archive of Jewish modern history. • Practical Skills & Curation: The curriculum includes practical workshops on the curation of Holocaust objects delivered in collaboration with external partners, and a module on public history that involves creating a curation portfolio for a non-academic audience. • Optional Field Trip: An optional field trip offers a visit to a European Holocaust heritage institution or museum where you will apply interpretative skills as a historian to the visitor experience. • Specialist Modules: Options include modules on the Holocaust in Art, Film, Literature, and Music or After the Holocaust: Jews and Others after 1945. • Structure: The full-time course runs for 12 months (or two or more years part-time). The taught phase lasts 9 months, followed by a Dissertation phase over the summer where you conduct original research. • Course Lead: Dr. Janek Gryta, whose research focuses on the history and memory of Holocaust killing sites in Eastern Europe. Career Prospects This degree provides the subject-specific and targeted employability skills needed to work with sensitive historical material in a public context. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in: • Holocaust Education and Outreach. • Heritage Curation and Management (museums, archives, heritage foundations). • Public History and Commemoration. • Further Research (e.g., progression to PhD study). Further Information • Duration: 1 year (Full-time) • Location: Avenue Campus • Entry Requirements: A 2:2 degree in History or a related subject.