History (Online)

Entry requirements

You need to have an Honours degree in a relevant subject, normally at 2:1 or above.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Take your study of History to the next level and benefit from Birmingham’s stellar teaching and research reputation from anywhere in the world with our flexible online course.

This two-year programme offers you the opportunity to explore a number of historical themes and time periods from across the world, where you’ll take advantage of our broad range of expertise. Develop practical transferable skills so that your love of history can further your career and life ambitions.

Course highlights

Your MA is completely adaptable to your interests. You’ll have a choice of topics including ancient history, medieval studies, global history, contemporary and modern history, and the history of Modern Britain.

When studying the MA History as a distance learning programme, you’ll benefit from the research and support available in our School of History and Cultures and through the University’s digital learning support.

Study in a Department ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, according to Times Higher Education. Research in the Department spans the medieval to the modern, including topics as diverse as archaeology and beliefs of medieval Iceland, the early modern body, the history of sexualities, and the Arab Spring.

• Join a diverse community made up of different educational backgrounds – you don’t need a History degree to join the course.
• Explore your chosen area of study in-depth through your choice of modules and dissertation topic.
• Study independently with the support of your academic tutors and fellow students via online forums.
• Fit your studies around your other commitments. Access the course materials online from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you.

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 and Heritage.

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Online discussion boards – modules are mainly taught by small group discussions responding to reading and questions set by the module convenor.
• Online resources are uploaded in advance. You can complete activities and take part in discussions at a time that suits you.
• Dissertation – you’ll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation 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.

• 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.