History

Entry requirements

A 2:1 or first-class honours degree from a UK university or equivalent, or a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to a degree. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

You are also required to submit a research proposal.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Are you eager to explore a historical topic in depth? The ResM (full time or part time) offers individual supervision of an extended project by staff specialising in a range of British, European and world historical fields, from 1450 to the present. This degree is designed for those with the potential for an academic career: if you make excellent progress and have your supervisor’s approval, the ResM route allows you to transfer onto our PhD programme.

Key features:

• Choose your own path through six centuries of human history by proposing your own research topic for your masters thesis.
• Work closely with internationally recognised researchers* who are experts in a range of historical fields as you develop the skills that will allow you to begin a career in historical research, with the knowledge and expertise to progress onto MPhil or PhD studies.
• Benefit from a rich historical environment of research seminars, guest speakers with the Historical Association through the University's Arts Institute, research networks such as Plymouth University Nineteenth Century Studies (PUNCS) and links to local archives.
• Explore history with your friends and colleagues by joining the History Society, a lively and supportive community hosting educational and social events.
• Discover the most up-to-date ways of studying history through our online resources including a vast eBook library. Build links with local record offices and archives, accessing opportunities to develop your expertise in the local and regional history of Plymouth and the South West.
• Flexible study allows you to complete a masters degree, full or part-time, so you can tailor your time at university to meet your needs by fitting your study around work and personal commitments
• You will take the same modules regardless of whether you choose to study full or part-time, and will complete an extended research-based thesis in a subject of your choosing.
• In the full-time mode, you’ll submit your thesis between 18-24 months; in part-time mode, you’ll submit your thesis between 24-36 months (two years of part-time study with 12 months to work on your thesis).
• With one eye on further study you may be eligible to transfer directly into our PhD programme after two years, rather than submitting a ResM thesis.

* In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 97.6% of the history team’s research outputs (primarily books and journal articles) were considered to be internationally recognised in terms of significance, originality and rigou

Information for international students

Please view the country specific pages for further information regarding the equivalency of your degree. International applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language ability, for example by achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent. Pre-sessional English language courses are available if you do not meet these requirements.