MA History
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,100 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international fee
Introduction
The MA History programme at Queen’s is designed to offer an innovative package of modules that challenges students to develop their knowledge and skills and flourish in their area of interest or future specialism.
Our Faculty have research specialisms across a range of chronological and geographical areas. We have areas of particular strength in ancient, medieval, early modern and contemporary history in Ireland, Britain, the USA, Europe, Africa and Asia. Students will be taught by leading experts in public history, urban history, women’s and gender history, religious history, political history, and extra-European history.
Modules are designed in a complementary fashion in order to develop the range of skills that employers expect from graduates from the best-designed postgraduate taught programmes. They are designed also to train students who want to continue on a PhD.
Modules range from Theory, methods and sources to Topics in the History of Religion, the History of Race and Ethnicity, the History of the Cold War, Social History, Political History or Economic History. You can opt to take these approaches within American History, British History, Irish History, European History, African History, Asian History or Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern History.
History Highlights
History at Queen’s is ranked in the top 220 as per the QS World University Rankings 2021.
World-Class Facilities
- The School is a world-leading centre for innovative and dynamic historical research. In the 2021 UK assessment of research (REF), History at Queen’s was ranked in the top 23 departments for research and 100% of the History research environment was considered 4* ‘world-leading’.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Modules focus on cutting-edge staff collaboration on emerging research themes with renowned experts in their field.
Student Experience
- The School has a rich research culture and postgraduate community. Postgraduate students host regular graduate-led seminars, colloquia and conferences. Students engage closely with research activities and events run by the Centre for Public History at Queen’s. This programme provides students with an opportunity to work in the largest and most international community of historians on the island of Ireland: Close involvement of practitioners from a wide range of organisations in many aspects of the course including practitioner-led workshops Field trips to Europe Rich research culture and postgraduate community Involvement in the Centre for Public History at Queen’s Involvement in the Institute of Irish Studies Involvement in QUOTE (Queen’s University Oral history, Technology and Ethics) Hub.
- This programme provides students with an opportunity to work in the largest and most international community of historians on the island of Ireland: Close involvement of practitioners from a wide range of organisations in many aspects of the course including practitioner-led workshops Field trips to Europe Rich research culture and postgraduate community Involvement in the Centre for Public History at Queen’s Involvement in the Institute of Irish Studies Involvement in QUOTE (Queen’s University Oral history, Technology and Ethics) Hub.
- Studying MA History at Queen’s offers a unique insight into many of the key issues relating to contested histories, cultural memory, commemoration, identity, and community history in a very real and meaningful way, and to gain a first-hand understanding of the relationship between public history, heritage, policy, and the consumption of history at a local, national and international level.
- Queen’s is ranked in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
- Queen’s ranked 17 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022)
- Queen’s is ranked in the top 75 universities in Europe for Teaching Excellence (Times Higher Education, 2019)
- 15% of the Queen’s student population are international students (Queen’s Planning Office, 2022)
Career Opportunities
The MA can be regarded either as an end in itself, culminating in the distinction of having obtained a postgraduate degree and enhanced your employability skills as a researcher, or as a stepping stone to the higher research degree of a PhD. Many graduates have gone on to Ph.D. programs both at Queen’s and other world-leading Universities. Others go into a wide variety of employment including careers in museums, archives, or libraries; journalism or media-related work; teaching; private and public administration; economic development, and the voluntary sector.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Gallery
Curriculum
Course Structure
Students in this program are given both a strong foundation in the study of History as a discipline, as well as the opportunity to specialize within particular fields of study. All students will participate in the study of research methods and historiography and then specialize through elective modules, individually negotiated topics, and case studies.
MA History consists of six taught modules and a dissertation.
MHY7090 - Pathways Through History
Students are introduced to historiographical pathways followed by Queen’s staff and examine some of the grand debates that have taken place within political, social, cultural and gender history. They are encouraged to reflect on their own pathway through history and to consider the range of historiographical and thematic approaches open to them as part of their postgraduate studies.
MHY7020 – The Historian’s Craft
Students probe some of the approaches used by historians to examine the past, including oral history, literary and visual sources and quantitative data. They receive training in research ethics, on the use of archival sources and on other key skills such as critical writing and high level presentations. The module also offers a careers-focused element by reflecting on the employment of historians inside and outside academia.
MHY7011 - Individually Negotiated Topic
An exciting opportunity for students to work with a research leader in their field on an essay topic that is selected by the student. Students work in a small Study Group (up to 3) and individually (with the supervisor), to assess the historiographical literature on a research question of their choice.
MHY7089 - Case Studies in History
Students select two options from a range of 6-week mini-modules that are designed to discuss exciting and innovative historical issues in a range of geographical or chronological contexts. The aim is to develop students’ knowledge of those issues beyond their own research field and to enhance their ability to evaluate fully the historical evidence they encounter during their research. Examples of these mini modules include ‘Sex and the City’, ‘Unruly Women’, ‘Commemoration after Fascism’, ‘Contested Public Histories’, ‘Ireland and the wider world’, ‘Religion and Toleration’, ‘Commemoration and Irish History’, ‘Perspectives on the Cold War’, ‘Race and Labour in Transnational Perspective’.
MHY7081 – Topics in Irish History
Topics in Irish History is designed to introduce you to the study of Irish history at an advanced level, through an exploration of selected topics spanning the period from the late middle ages to the present day. The topics chosen are deliberately diverse, taking in issues in politics, religion, culture, and gender, as well as a critical examination of the role of history itself as a cultural and political instrument.
MHY7035 - History and Theory
In this module, individual lecturers introduce students to a theoretical approach that has inspired or influenced their research. The module examines some of the big theoretical debates about history and truth, history and class, history and gender, and history and identity. The module uses case studies to bring passion and insight to the student’s understanding of theoretical approaches. Staff teaching on the module are asked to reflect on the key books and articles that made them either shake with disbelieving anger or race to the archives full of inspiration!
MHY7025 - Presenting Sources
Students are given an opportunity to undertake practical work on a selection of primary sources. This can include the production of a calendar of previously uncatalogued documents, a finding aid to primary sources on a defined theme, or a database drawn from primary sources.
MHY7010 - Dissertation
Students (with the help of a supervisor) will research and write a 20,000-word dissertation on a subject of their choice. This is a triple-weighted module.
If you wish to take the program on part time basis you will be required to complete 3 taught modules each year (one in first semester and two in second semester or vice versus). It is advised you should complete the core modules in your first year. Please note, all modules run at the same time for full time and part time students. Please contact the programme convenor for further information.
Learning and Teaching
Assessment procedures: a combination of essays, reviews, placements, posters, projects and a research-based dissertation.
Cognitive Skills
- Acquisition and development of reflective practice and critical thinking in the analysis of source material.
- Identification and analysis of primary sources for research and verbal and written communication of findings based on analysis of research materials.
- Management of individual learning including planning, organization and management of time and activities to ensure delivery of assessed work within set time-frames.
- Understand and evaluate differing interpretations.
- Critically evaluate primary sources, placing them in their context and assessing their potential as evidence.
- Identify and assimilate evidence relevant to a particular enquiry from a variety of primary sources.
- Formulate and test hypotheses and interpretations.
- Develop and present an argument based on the analysis of historical evidence.
Knowledge and Understanding
An understanding of the theoretical basis of historical study.
An insight into the preservation, accessibility and use of historical documents and primary sources.
The role of history in the public sphere and the contribution of historical study to culture, society, economics and politics.
Subject Specific Skills
- An ability to identify and evaluate different interpretations of the past.
- Knowledge of different approaches to historical study from a range of perspectives including, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, society, economics and culture.
- The opportunity to apply historical methodology to the study of history from the ancient to the contemporary periods, with particular opportunity to focus on Irish, British, American, European and Asian history.
- Understand the work of archives and/or public history institutions in cataloguing and preserving historical materials and/or interpreting and presenting these to non-academic audiences.
- Present the results of historical research, using quotation, citation and bibliography in a manner consistent with professional standards of accuracy and presentation.
- Extract material relevant to a particular theme or problem from primary sources and record it in a systematic and accurate manner.
- Read manuscript material from their chosen period of study.
- Identify and locate primary sources relevant to a particular field of study, using standard bibliographical resources.
- Identify and locate secondary sources relevant to a particular field of study, using standard bibliographical resources.
Transferable Skills
Conduct research on a variety of issues, making intelligent use of the available material.
Work independently.
Communicate effectively in writing.
Interpret and analyze information from a range of sources.
Evaluate arguments and evidence.
Assessment
Assessment and feedback are continuous throughout the course of the study. Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- coursework
- essays
- written projects
- oral presentations
- class contributions
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
English Language Requirements
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