Economic History

Our MA by Research Economic History programme will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of economic fundamentals, and the origins and likely long-term consequences of contemporary economic policies.

This programme is pluralist in its influences and concerns, pulling together the best from both history and economics. Learn how to apply rigorous economic analysis to deepen your understanding of the past, and compare economic growth and living standards across space and time using quantitative and qualitative approaches to historical data. You will make an original contribution to our understanding of past economies through your research dissertation, and will develop considerable expertise in your specialist area of research.

Being part of one of the biggest bodies of economic historians in the country, you will benefit from an interdisciplinary focus and the opportunity to work with academics across the University, encompassing academics from Archaeology, Classics, Economics, Henley Business School, History, and Law. This programme is designed for students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds who have a strong interest in exploring economic or financial systems from a historical perspective.

You will develop a set of wide-ranging skills, including: an ability to understand and apply complex ideas and analyse large quantities of information; to construct reasoned and articulate arguments; and to reach carefully balanced judgements.

Our expertise is wide-ranging, allowing you to tailor the programme to your primary interests as well as to discover new research areas. You will be fully involved in the work of the Centre for Economic History, and all relevant seminars and conferences. We also use economic theories and concepts, such as game theory.