Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:2 degree in history or a related subject.

Months of entry

September

Course content

About this Course

This one-year MA is an interdisciplinary program that critically engages with some of the biggest problems facing the world today, such as conflict, sustainability, migration, and human rights. The course's core focus is on exploring the historical contexts that have given rise to contemporary emergencies and analyzing past approaches to address them.

The primary goal is to teach you how to develop solutions for the future and how to effectively influence attitudes and bring about change using modern communication and policy tools. We are ranked 10th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026).

Key Features of this Course

• Interdisciplinary Focus: The course integrates History with modern skills, including data analysis, data visualization, and media communication, which are not typically prioritized in a traditional History MA.

• Practical Skill Development: You will learn practical techniques to create change, such as:

o Writing policy briefs for policy debates.

o Creating data visualisations for effective opinion pieces.

o Producing video essays for lesson plans.

o Developing exhibitions and podcasts for public advocacy.

• Core Content: Modules explore specific challenges in historical context, such as Conflict and Security, Energy and Environment, Identity and Rights, and Migration and Asylum.

• Intensive Summer School: Students participate in an intensive summer school experience to support the start of their final project portfolio.

• Flexible Options: You have the opportunity to study a foreign language or take alternative modules from the History MA program.

Career Prospects

This program is designed to prepare you for careers in fields that require both deep historical understanding and contemporary policy/communication skills.

Graduates are well-equipped for roles in:

• Policy-making and Government

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Charitable Organizations

• International Organizations

• Journalism and Media Communication

• Public Advocacy

• Further research at the PhD level.

Further Information

• Duration: Typically a one-year full-time master's program. It can also be studied part-time over two or more years.

• Entry Requirements: A 2:2 degree in an undergraduate subject, usually from the humanities, social sciences, or media/communications. Applicants from other backgrounds (e.g., physical or life sciences) who want to complement their degree with policy and history are also welcomed.

• Course Lead: Dr. Christopher Fuller, a specialist in U.S. foreign policy, whose work focuses on bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate your English is at our Band C level - IELTS 6.5 overall, with minimum 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. For information on other accepted English language tests, please see the website.

Fees and funding

A variety of scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations. Please check the website for more information - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/funding/postgraduate.page

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

MA
part time
24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
full time
12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk

Phone: +44(0)23 8059 5000

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Global Challenges - History, Policy, Practice