| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | September 2024 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | History |
| Contact | . |
| Typical offer | 2:2 Honours degree |
|---|---|
Overview
- Study an exceptionally wide range of modules
- Develop skills for a variety of professions such as archivist, strategic analyst and the growing heritage sector
- Access excellent historical archives
- Placements are possible with local archives
- Our dissertation module offers the opportunity to work one-to-one with an expert in their field
Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Director: Professor David Thackeray
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Discover MA History at the University of Exeter.
We are 6th in the UK for research in History
Based on our GPA in REF 2021
Top 100 in world subject rankings for History
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 10 in UK subject rankings for History
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025
Approximately 50 staff over two campuses
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in their first degree in a relevant subject area. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criteria, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Having completed my undergraduate degree here, I already knew how fantastic the history department was and it was the obvious choice for my postgraduate studies.
Having an interest in medical history, I was particularly inspired by that pathway option and the new and exciting modules focusing on public history and digital humanities. Exeter is a wonderful place to live and with all of this combined, I just couldn't imagine going anywhere else for my MA.
Liv
MA History
Course content
The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
Our flexible programme enables you to choose either a specific pathway or a selection of modules, which might be at a much later date than date of entry to the MA in History. The programme offers you a maximum of freedom in study while still ensuring that you receive the essential skills necessary for your research.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
90 credits of compulsory modules and 90 credits of optional modules
A choice of pathway affects the options you are expected to take: consult 'Regulations' below. The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree programme based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new emergent areas of study, timetabling and student demand.
a You may select a Latin module appropriate to your understanding of Latin.
b You may select either HISM185 or HISM186 (you cannot choose more than one module from this group).
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM016 | Advanced Historical Research Skills | 30 |
| HISM400 | Dissertation in History | 60 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISS MA History optional modules 2024-5 [See note a above] | ||
| CLAM251 | Latin I | 30 |
| CLAM252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLAM255 | Latin IV | 30 |
| ARAM251 | Esotericism and the Magical Tradition | 30 |
| HASM011 | Historical Masterclass | 30 |
| HASM005 | The Legend of King Arthur | 15 |
| HASM006 | The Legend of King Arthur | 30 |
| HASM009 | The Book in Medieval and Early Modern Europe | 30 |
| HASM012 | An Introduction to Early Modern English Palaeography | 15 |
| HASM013 | Mental Health in Social and Historical Context | 30 |
| HASM014 | Past Magic: Histories and Archaeologies of the Supernatural | 15 |
| HASM015 | Past Magic: Histories and Archaeologies of the Supernatural | 30 |
| HISM001 | Critical Approaches to Early Modern History | 30 |
| HISM002 | Critical Approaches to Maritime and Naval History | 30 |
| HISM003 | Critical Approaches to Imperial and Global History | 30 |
| HISM017 | Critical Approaches to Medical Humanities | 30 |
| HISM039 | History in Public: A Workplace Project | 30 |
| HISM041 | Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective | 30 |
| HASM018 | Working with Medieval Manuscripts and Documents | 30 |
| HISM043 | Critical Approaches to the History of Violence and Conflict | 30 |
| HASM007 | Supervised Medieval Study | 15 |
| HISM185 | Supervised Independent Study in the Humanities [See note b above] | 15 |
| HISM186 | Supervised Independent Study in the Humanities [See note b above] | 30 |
All students graduate with an MA in History, but if you elect to specialise, you will have one of the following pathways named in your degree title:
Early Modern Studies
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Early Modern Studies:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM001 | Critical Approaches to Early Modern History | 30 |
| HISM044 | Wealth, Poverty and Power in Early Modern Britain | 30 |
| HISM036 | Gender, Society and Culture in Early Modern Europe | 30 |
| HISM038 | Navy and Nation: The Royal Navy in the Long Eighteenth Century, 1688-1815 | 30 |
Medieval History
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Medieval History:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM042 | Working with Medieval Manuscripts and Documents | 30 |
| HISM019 | Critical Approaches in Medieval Research | 30 |
| HISM183 | Interpreting the Middle Ages | 30 |
| CLAM251 | Latin I (as appropriate) | 30 |
| CLAM252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II (as appropriate) | 30 |
| CLAM254 | Latin III (as appropriate) | 30 |
| CLAM255 | Latin IV (as appropriate) | 30 |
Medical History
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Medical History:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM017 | Critical Approaches to the Medical Humanities | 30 |
| HISM026 | Medicine Beyond Borders: History and Politics of International Health | 30 |
Maritime Historical Studies
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Maritime Historical Studies:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM002 | Critical Approaches to Maritime and Naval Historical Studies | 30 |
| HISM038 | Navy and Nation: The Royal Navy in the Long Eighteenth Century, 1688-1815 | 30 |
Imperial and Global History
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Imperial and Global History:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM003 | Critical Approaches to Imperial and Global History | 30 |
| HISM027 | The Cold War: A Global History | 30 |
| HISM026 | Medicine Beyond Borders: History and Politics of International Health | 30 |
Violence and Conflict
The programme comprises modules of at least 60 credits from these specialist modules and the HISM400 Dissertation in History module must be relevant to the field of Violence and Conflict:
| Code | Modules | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HISM027 | The Cold War: A Global History | 30 |
| HISM043 | Critical Approaches to the History of Violence and Conflict | 30 |
| HISM038 | Navy and Nation: The Royal Navy in the Long Eighteenth Century, 1688-1815 | 30 |
Fees
2024/25 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,000 full-time; £6,000 part-time
International fees per year:
£24,300 full-time; £12,150 part-time
Scholarships
We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.
Teaching and research
Exeter historians have a diverse range of interests, and we pride ourselves on our flexible approach to learning that includes part-time options. With over 50 permanent staff, you will be able to study topics across medieval, early modern, and modern history at the forefront of research.
Our seven research centres provide access not only to scholarly cultures in specific subfields, but also opens opportunities for interdisciplinary work that will expand the tools available for your historical methodologies.
As a city with a rich past from Roman times to the present day, Exeter offers you an immersive experience in independent historical study under the guidance of leading specialists that will prepare you for a range of careers or further academic pursuits.
Teaching
You will be taught mostly in small group seminars as we believe that this is the best way to allow our students access to and interaction with academic staff. In your seminars you will contribute to discussions and debates as well as present findings, research, and interpretations of readings.
Dissertation
At the end of your programme you will complete a dissertation up to 15,000 words long on a topic of your choosing, something which may later form part of a PhD research proposal. Some of the topics our students have covered in the past include:
- Early modern views of the reproductive organs, sex, and conception, circa 1650 to 1850
- The Labour Party’s relationship with the British forces in the Inter-War Years
- Health and the seaside: Sea bathing in the Nineteenth Century
- Exeter Cathedral in the 14th Century
- 'Medicinable or Mortal'? Astrological Figures and the Practice of Physick
- British Media Reporting of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide
- Medieval Martial Arts (1300-1600)
- Terminal illness, suicide, and euthanasia in Early Modern England
Research areas
The purpose of the programme is to allow you to hone your historical skills while exploring your intellectual interests wherever they may lead.
Research is at the heart of History and our students are encouraged to come to Departmental Research Seminars and become an active part of the wider research community. Our research centres regularly hold seminars and other research events which MA students are welcome to attend.
Community
Our current research centres include:
- Centre for Early Modern Studies
- Centre for Imperial and Global History
- Centre for Maritime Historical Studies
- Centre for Histories of Violence and Conflict
- Centre for Medical History
- Centre for Medieval Studies
- Institute of Cornish Studies
As well as our History specific research centres, you are also welcome to get involved in the other research centres across the University. You can find out more about our academic staff and their research interests on our Research pages.
Careers
For many of our students, a Masters degree is an important step on the path to a PhD, however that is far from being the only path. The heritage sector is one regular employer of our graduates and placements are sometimes possible with local archives.
Skills
The skills you will develop through completing a Masters at Exeter will qualify you for a wide range of professions. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles, including Archivist, Marketing Executive and Strategic Analyst. Postgraduate study in History prepares you for a world of possibilities.
Career Zone
As an Exeter student you will have the support of not only academic staff in helping with funding applications and research proposals but also our professional careers staff. The Exeter Career Zone can help you access activities and advice to give you the best chance in pursuing your chosen career path.
For more information visit our Careers pages
