History of Medicine

Entry requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

Months of entry

October

Course content

The MA in the History of Medicine aims to introduce you to the advanced study of the history of medicine, and to equip you with the conceptual and practical skills to carry out independent historical research in this field. You are encouraged to engage with a range of concepts, and to place developments within medical theory and practice in a broad social and cultural framework.

The Term One core module Themes and Methods in Medical History introduces some of the main historiographical approaches and debates within the history of medicine from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century. It focuses on the evolution of ideas, institutions and practices within medicine; the reception of new approaches and lay responses; the structure of medical practice and the medical professions; and the scientific, social and cultural context of medical intervention. You will be encouraged to situate illness, disease and health care in a broad context, and to frame discussions in seminars in response to a detailed and critical survey of the literature in this area. The Term Two core module, 'Matters of Life and Death', addresses two to three topics in the history of medicine (broadly construed), which you will select from a long menu of possible options. This flexible structure ensures the module is always focused on subjects closely related to your own interests and dissertation research. Possible topics span the expertise of teaching and research staff in the Centre for the History of Medicine, and of our academics in the wider University context.

You will engage with a wide range of sources available to the historian of medicine (e.g. medical texts, practice records, diaries, case records, public health reports and health propaganda, and visual sources). The programme will particularly appeal if you wish to acquire the conceptual and practical skills needed to conduct PhD research in the history of medicine, or if you are interested in engaging the public with the history of medicine.

Information for international students

For guidance on English language requirements, please visit this page: www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/language

Fees and funding

There are several funding opportunities available for students applying for this course. These include external awards, wider University awards and departmental scholarships. Details can be found here:

www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding

Qualification and course duration

MA

Course contact details