MA Medieval History
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Course Overview
Study for your Master’s degree in a region steeped in Medieval History.
Taught by internationally recognised scholars, our course will help you get to grips with the major themes in political, ecclesiastical, social and cultural history of medieval England and Western Europe, with a particular focus on England and the Continent between 900 and 1500. A rich and diverse period, you’ll be studying with experts who are defining our understanding of the period.
Primary sources will be at the heart of your studies. We have access to The Norfolk Record Office’s vast collection of medieval documents, as well as to the cutting-edge archaeological work of the Norwich Castle Museum.
Graduates come from across the world to study for a Master’s in Medieval History with us. Many have gone on to undertake doctoral study, and this course could be your first step towards becoming a professional historian. However, the skills you’ll gain will also open doors to careers in heritage, teaching, law and research.
Our Medieval History MA will deepen your understanding of the European Middle Ages, while equipping you with the skills you need to explore this vast and significant period.
Taught through seminars and tutorials, the programme will introduce you to a series of key concepts for the period. These may include: the relation between medieval Europe and the classical past, Latin and vernacular languages, sainthood and medieval politics, economics and society, the Bible interpreted as a political manifesto, the records of royal government, the rise of the bureaucratic state, urban society, and kingship – both in the ideal and in reality.
Drawing upon the joint expertise of our course tutors, the course has a particular focus on the relations between England and the Continent in the period 900 to 1500. And with the resources of our region including the vast collection of medieval documents held by the Norfolk Record Office and the cutting-edge archaeological investigations of Norwich Castle Museum – as well as national and international resources – primary sources will lie at the heart of your learning. Plus you’ll be given expert training on how to decipher the language and handwriting of the era.
Towards the end of the year, you’ll work on your Master’s dissertation, which will give you the chance to put your skills into practice as you pursue an independent piece of historical research of your own devising. You’ll be supervised by one or more academics from the School, who will offer guidance and support throughout.
A Master’s in Medieval History from UEA will open up all kinds of career paths to you, but is also designed to prepare you for doctoral study.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our Master’s course will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake independent historical research at an advanced level.
Over two semesters, you’ll be given expert training in Medieval Latin and Medieval Palaeography, so that you can decipher and get the most out of the primary sources you’ll be studying.
You will also complete our core module, England and the Continent in the Middle Ages, which has weekly seminars and runs over two semesters. Team-taught by several members of our faculty, you’ll benefit from their expert knowledge on a variety of specialist areas, while also gaining insight into the most up-to-date research on the subject. Within the module you’ll cover themes that may include: historical writing, saints’ lives, urban communities, canon law, the religious life, and manuscript collections and archives.
Towards the end of the year, you’ll commence work on your dissertation, which is your chance to put your skills into practice in your own historical research. You’ll be supervised by one or more members of the School, gaining guidance and support throughout the process. Several of our previous students have gone on to use their dissertation as the basis for a piece of published work.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our integrated approach means that your learning from each module will relate to and inform your other modules. Broad and thorough, this also makes for a more interesting and stimulating study experience.
Our core module provides an overview of key themes and issues across periods and countries, usually based on selected case studies. And our skills-based modules will provide the methodological tools key to the study of medieval history, as well as the conceptual knowledge you’ll need to complete the core module and your dissertation. You will also develop transferable skills that you can put to use in your professional career, once you’ve graduated.
Our teaching will enhance your knowledge and awareness of different disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. And by the end of the spring term, with our close supervision and advice, you will be in the position to embark on your extended, independent, original research project.
Independent study
The very nature of a Master’s course means that you will spend a lot of time carrying out independent study. You’ll have access to UEA’s state-of-the-art library, which houses a wealth of specialist research collections in British, European, and global history. You’ll also have access to the East Anglian Film Archive and the Norfolk Record Office. Moreover, you’ll be able to work with libraries and archives across the country, including the British Library, The National Archives and Cambridge University Library, as well as similar resources overseas.
The balance we offer between independent thinking and study skills will help you grow into a self-motivated learner, an analytical thinker and an expert researcher. You’ll develop accuracy and precision in your written work through evidence-based analysis. And you will become well versed in time management, making you highly organised and confident in self-directed study.
Throughout your degree, you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.
Assessment
Our modules include both formative and summative assessments, with feedback provided in various ways. This may include – but is not restricted to – written feedback, oral feedback in seminars and tutorials, and peer-to-peer feedback.
Each module will include a sequence of assessments, giving you the opportunity to learn from your formative feedback. The process will encourage you to reflect on your performance and to approach subsequent pieces of work with greater confidence, improving your performance in summative assessments.
Formative assessment includes presentations, essays and dissertation plans, research training and specialised skills. Summative work is assessed through coursework essays, skills tasks, and your dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent)
- Degree Subject
- Humanities subject
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking with 5.5 in the others)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Admissions Policy:
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate ready to pursue a wide range of occupations, thanks to the breadth of the skills you will have acquired during your postgraduate history degree. Many of our graduates go on to pursue academic careers. Others develop careers in business, public service, teaching and management, or the heritage and tourism sector.
We work closely with UEA’s Careers Service, offering a number of events, workshops, and information sessions to help get your career off to the best start.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Teaching and research
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Civil service and local government
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Heritage and tourism
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Journalism
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Law
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Business and finance
Discover more on our Careers webpages.