History

Entry requirements

This degree is designed for those individuals with a first or 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in History or other relevant subject). Applicants with other qualifications or experience are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Programme Director.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Please note, all course information including entry requirements relates to the 2022/23 academic year.

The MA in History provides coverage of the attempts of human beings in past societies, from the Middle Ages to the present day, to organise life materially and conceptually, individually and collectively. It enables students to engage critically with the contested nature of the past and the role of the discipline as a mediator for understanding both the past and the present.

The MA in History involves class-based learning and an optional opportunity for practical work placement, alongside one-on-one supervision. This course is best suited for those who wish, for a variety of reasons, to have structured classroom guidance during their studies, or for those wanting more support for planning their dissertation research project. There are 5 taught modules spread over two semesters, while the dissertation is 15,000 words.

This programme offers world-renowned one-one-one supervision and small classes so you can develop your research interests, while assessments prepare you for your specific career. Practical work experience is available in a range of fields, along with support writing CVs and job applications. You can learn a language, take palaeography, or complete a work placement as part of your degree.

Why choose History at Keele:

• Strong student satisfaction across the School, such as: ‘I am encouraged to ask questions or make contributions in taught sessions (face to face and/or online)’: 87.7% and ‘My ability to communicate information effectively to diverse audiences has developed during my course’: 92.6% (PTES 2019 results for Keele’s School of Humanities; individual History feedback is not available)
• Ranked 15 for History research in the UK despite being one of the smallest History departments (based on 2014 REF results)
• In the last 3 years, History averaged 92 % in overall student satisfaction (NSS 2017-19)
• Staff have regularly won Keele’s Student-led Teaching Awards, including recently for ‘fantastic feedback’ and ‘superb supervision’ across the whole university.
• We are members of the AHRC Northwest Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership, enabling us to offer outstanding PhD candidates financial support through their studies. We also offer funding options through bursaries, fee waivers and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) where appropriate.
• Supervision can be offered across a broad range of areas, and Keele historians are experienced in providing careful and supportive frameworks for students. Historical expertise ranges from the medieval period to the present day, and covering the globe (especially Britain, Germany, Italy, France, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States). Our interests include the history of political violence, medicine, modern empires, social movements, citizenship, economics, migration, gender, religion, Digital Humanities, and print culture.
• Through the Keele Library, The David Bruce Centre for American Studies, and the Centre for Local History, we hold internationally important archives for early-twentieth century social history, intellectual history, and over 1000 years of local history.
• Further information about our expertise is described on our research page. As well as individual projects, we have been successful in winning AHRC and EHRC collaborative awards in which the student works with a non-University partner.

Information for international students

English language entry requirement for international students:

IELTS 6.5. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

Fees and funding

For information related to fees and funding, please visit the individual course page on the Keele University website.