MA Modern History (Part Time)
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Are you fascinated by the events that shaped the modern world? Are you keen to build a set of skills crucial for future employment or study? If so, our Part Time MA in Modern History is for you. As a Master’s student, you’ll deepen your understanding of the people, cultures, nations and ideas that have influenced over two hundred years of history.
You’ll be taught by a team of internationally recognised experts in political, international, imperial, social and cultural history. You’ll learn about developments around the globe: from Britain and its empire, across continental Europe and the Middle East, to South and East Asia and North America.
Across the two years of your course, your programme will combine seminars with smaller tutorials and independent study. In your second year, you’ll produce a piece of original research in a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
In joining us, you’ll become part of a vibrant community. Norwich is rich in resources for the study of modern history, including archives at UEA, Norfolk Record Office and the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures.
Our MA programme will also equip you with essential skills: problem-solving, self-discipline, independent working, critical judgement, and excellent oral and written skills. Our graduates have gone on to careers as varied as law, finance, the Civil Service, local government, heritage, tourism and teaching – with many more besides. And if you’re thinking of taking your study of history even further, our MA will provide a vital foundation.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our Modern History programme is divided into four key modules. By taking the part time version of the degree programme, you’ll complete the same modules as those studying full time, but with the flexibility to spread the four components over two academic years.
Part time students must take a minimum of 40 credits each year, but the way in which the four modules are divided across the two years can be tailored to suit your needs.
We also encourage you to acquire or improve your foreign language proficiency through our Language Centre, to help you read and further interpret a greater range of primary sources and secondary literature.
In the first year, part time students will generally take our cutting-edge core module which will introduce you to key theoretical approaches and the latest research in the field of 20th-century British, European, and global history. Taught by a team of leading scholars in the field, it'll cover a wide variety of themes and periods, and give you the opportunity to dissect the latest archival discoveries and historical debates. You might explore issues ranging from the impact of state-building projects to the role of women in twentieth century history.
You might also choose to take a module in which you develop the skills needed to produce a refined piece of original historical research and learn how to apply those skills to a wide range of other careers. Through hands-on workshops and seminars, you’ll gain familiarity with various practical research methods as well as important aspects of research dissemination both within and outside academia. There will be sessions to help you transition from undergraduate to postgraduate-level historical research, and we’ll pay particular attention to employability, with opportunities to engage and learn from partners at local archives, museums, and/or heritage institutions. Seminars on approaches to archival research will be facilitated by members of the School of History and Art History who are specialists in particular historical methods. Each year the content of this team-taught module adapts to developing trends within historical studies. Topics covered may include: collective memory; digital humanities; life narratives; oral history; using institutional documents; material and visual cultures; transnational histories; and decolonisation within the heritage industry. By the end of your studies, you’ll be equipped to undertake historical and professional work, such as working in an archive, and writing and delivering conference papers, using the latest methodologies.
Another option in your first year would be to choose to specialise in the area of modern history that interests you most by selecting one topic from a wide array of annually updated tutorial options.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)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
The School of History and Art History has a vibrant postgraduate community, attracted here by our specialist academics and our research output. In fact, we have one of the UK’s highest concentrations of historic expertise, and in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) UEA’s research in History was rated third in the whole UK.
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 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’ll 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’ll 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 and the National Archives, 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’ll 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, essay and dissertation plans, research training, and specialised skills. Summative work is assessed through coursework essays – including the options to submit book and exhibition reviews or conduct a work experience placement at the Norfolk Record Office and at selected East Anglian heritage organisations.
Structure
In your second year you’ll cover the material you didn’t choose in your first year – for instance, if you focused on research methods instead of a specialist tutorial, you’ll be able to take a specialist tutorial in your second year; if you chose a specialist tutorial already, you’ll be able to focus on research methods.
Most part time students take their dissertation in their second year.
Your Master’s dissertation will provide you with an opportunity to pursue your own independent historical research project. You’ll be supervised by one or several members of the School, who will provide guidance and support throughout the process.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)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
Most part-time students choose to embark on researching and writing their dissertation in their second year. You’ll receive regular guidance and support through one-to-one meetings with your supervisor, a member of staff with relevant expertise.
You’ll be expected to build on your independent study skills as you work on your dissertation, with access to UEA’s state-of-the-art library as your base. You’ll also have access to various online collections of primary and secondary material and the possibility to travel to specialist archives across the country.
Assessment
Most part-time students choose to focus on writing their dissertation in their second year (14000-16000 words).
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1
Degree Subject
Humanities subject
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 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 with a minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading.
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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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
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 £1,136 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
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’ll 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
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Teaching and research
- Civil service and local government
- Heritage and tourism
- Journalism
- Law
- Business and finance
Discover more on our Careers webpages.