History
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area.
Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.
if you are unsure if you meet our entry requirements, you can also contact our admissions department to discuss whether your application would be considered.
Months of entry
January, September
Course content
Investigate questions about the past while advancing your historical research skills. On our MRes you'll deepen your knowledge of historical periods through taught modules with the freedom to pursue your research interests.
Develop the skills for both doctoral study and a future career. On this MRes you'll develop your critical and analytical abilities via taught modules, and you’ll complete a major individual research project supervised by a specialist in the field.
At Birmingham, you'll develop your knowledge and understanding of historical research and complete a project on any aspect of History.
Our History Department’s significant strengths include: Medieval and Early Modern History; Global History and US History; Modern and Contemporary History.
The History Department is also home to many research centres exploring key historical periods. Discover the latest research from visiting academic speakers and our staff at our research centre seminars.
- Join a Department with a global reputation for research – ranked 8th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education).
- Choose optional modules related to your chosen historical area from a wide variety of modules across history.
- Develop your independent research abilities and analytical skills before undertaking a PhD or to gain transferable skills for your career.
- An MRes combines the best of postgraduate taught study with in-depth independent research.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History.
An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career. You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Research thesis– you'll undertake a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MRes
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate Enquiry Service