History MA Medieval History - University of East Anglia (UEA)

Overview

Why Study Medieval History at UEA?

The MA in Medieval History provides in-depth training in the study of the high and late middle ages in England and northern France. The broad chronological range of the course, running from the 11th through to the 15th centuries, represents the extensive expertise of the School’s medieval historians.

We introduce you to high-level debates in specialist research fields, featuring cultural, political, social, economic and ecclesiastical perspectives. Lively seminars, led by experienced scholars, are based on key sources for the period. You will also have the opportunity to specialise when producing assessed work, guided by our team. The culmination of our MA course is the dissertation, a unique and rewarding exercise undertaken in the second half of the degree. This independent study will be completed under the supervision of one or more members of the School.

UEA’s location in the medieval city of Norwich gives students access to the unparalleled medieval archives housed in the Norfolk Record Office, the extensive collections in the Castle Museum and the Norfolk Archaeological Unit, and the material remains of numerous medieval buildings.

Content and Structure of the Course

The MA in Medieval History is a one-year full-time programme or a two-year part-time programme. The course provides students with the skills and knowledge to undertake independent research at an advanced level. In the first instance, students practice these skills on the dissertation, but the course is also designed to prepare students for doctoral study, should this prove desirable and feasible. Training is given in Latin and Latin palaeography over the course of two semesters. The 60-credit core module, England and the Continent in the High Middle Ages, also runs over two semesters. In this module the following themes and topics may be covered, according to the needs and interests of participants: Society, 970-1066; Domesday Book; Letter Collections; Historical Writing; Charters; the Royal Household; Royal Record Keeping; Urban Communities 1200-1500; Rural Communities 1200-1500; Monasticism; the Church; Canon Law; Magna Carta.

Teaching is carried out mainly a weekly seminar, preparation for which is a requirement of the course. The MA is assessed through coursework and the dissertation, which constitutes half the credits for the degree.

Course Tutors and Research Interests

Prof. Mark Bailey – estate, manorial and urban sources 1200 to 1500; the organisation and economy of towns; the decline of serfdom
Ms Julie Barrau – twelfth-Century Biblical culture; linguistic practices; political and cultural dynamics in the Church; letter collections
Prof. David Bates – Normandy; biography; charters; Anglo-Norman realm.
Prof. Stephen Church – twelfth-century kingship; the royal household; King John; royal records; the twelfth-century Exchequer
Dr Tom Licence – monasticism; historical writing; saints’ cults; the Church
Dr Lucy Marten – Domesday Book; East Anglian History; late Anglo-Saxon society and politics.
Prof. Carole Rawcliffe – medical history; late-medieval political history
Mrs Elizabeth Rutledge – urban communities, espec. Norwich before the Black Death; the law and the law courts
Prof. Nicholas Vincent – charters of Henry II; Magna Carta; Angevin continental lands; royal record keeping

Course Organiser

Prof Nicholas Vincent

Course Brochure

View Course Brochure

Why Choose Us?

There are many reasons to choose us. An MA in the School of History combines breadth of choice with depth of study. Students can choose from five excellent courses: Medieval, Early Modern, Modern British, Modern European and Landscape History, all carefully constructed and taught by specialists with relevant research interests and reputations. Unlike some MA courses, which ‘mix-and-match’ large numbers of small modules, within each course option students take a year-long 60-credit module, which allows them really to explore the subject in detail. Research skills are taught in a packed training programme, which provides everything our students need to further their historical ambitions. In the Spring Semester, they also make short presentations on their dissertation subjects, which, because the audience is mostly made up of their peers, makes for an event more like an informal symposium than a viva voce examination (which it isn’t anyway). Everyone finds this event helpful and enjoyable. UEA is extremely proud of its lively research community, which includes not just MA students but PhD students and teaching staff. We all benefit greatly from this intellectually stimulating environment and would like you to as well!

Take a look at the web pages below to see what we offer and what our students have to say about their time in the School of History:

Why Study in the School?

What Our Students Say

Alumni

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Degree Subject History or related subject
Undergraduate Degree Classification UK BA (Hons)2.1 or equivalent
Special Requirements Sample of work - see below

Students for whom English is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

· IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)

· TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 in reading)

· PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Special Entry Requirements

Applicants must submit a sample of written work (in English). This should be a typed essay on a historical subject, 2-3,000 words long, preferably a photocopy of an assessment marked by a tutor, complete with critical comments and a percentage or grade. The essay should address a specific question, and must demonstrate an ability to construct a historical argument, familiarity with the conventions of academic writing, and competence in English.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.

Assessment

All applications for postgraduate study are processed through the Faculty Admissions Office and then forwarded to the relevant School of Study for consideration. If you are currently completing your first degree or have not yet taken a required English language test, any offer of a place will be conditional upon you achieving this before you arrive.

Year 1
Year 2

Year 1

Compulsory Study (90 credits)

Students will select 90 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
England and the Continent in the Middle Ages This team-taught compulsory module runs over the course of two semesters. In this module the following themes and topics may be covered according to the needs and interests of those participating in the programme of study: Society, 970-1066; Domesday Book; Letter Collections; Historical Writing; Charters; the Royal Household; Royal Record Keeping; Urban Communities 1200-1500; Rural Communities 1200-1500; Monasticism; the Church; Canon Law; Magna Carta. Teaching is mainly through the medium of the seminar; weekly preparation is, therefore, a requirement of the course. more...	HIS-M17Y	60	Year Period
Latin and Paleography A good command of basic Latin and Latin palaeography are fundamental tools for the aspiring medievalist. The basic Medieval Latin element of this module is suitable for complete beginners, but more advanced tuition is available for students with a prior knowledge of the language. The palaeography element concentrates on the reading and interpretation of a range of original Latin sources from the late 11th to the early 16th century. more...	HIS-M02Y	30	Year Period

Year 2

Compulsory Study (90 credits)

Students will select 90 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Dissertation Preparation This module consists of both generic training sessions for all students as well as course-specific exercises and training. A key requirement of the module is for students to make an oral presentation in the Spring semester, to be attended by all MA students, after which they will submit their formal dissertation proposal. The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. more...	HIS-M22Y	0	Year Period
MA in Medieval History Dissertation 90-credit dissertation for students taking the MA in Medieval History in the School of History. more...	HIS-M02X	90	Semester 2

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Fees And Funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees for Postgraduate students for the academic year 2012/13 are £5,000 for Home/EU students and £11,900 for International Students.

If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home/EU students).

Please note that all the above fees are expected to rise for the year 2013/14. We estimate living expenses at £600/650 per month.

Scholarships and Awards:

International scholarships

All international students (outside the European Union) are considered for a scholarship of between £1000 and £2000 towards tuition fees. In order to be considered for an International Scholarship you do not need to make a separate application. Please indicate on your application for admission that you wish to be considered for a scholarship. It is important to make the application as early as possible because they are considered as they are received. So apply early to make sure of the best chance of success.

Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are for the duration of the period of study (which will be one year). Students of outstanding academic ability will also be considered for Faculty Scholarship Awards, usually in March and May each year, which can be worth up to 100% of the tuition fee. These are highly competitive and prestigious awards. Those students being offered a scholarship will be notified directly by the School of Study.

Home / EU Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

AHRC Awards 2012 entry

We are pleased to confirm that we have an AHRC Block Grant Partnership, meaning that we have a number of funded awards to allocate from 2009-2013.

We will have one full AHRC Award to offer for entry in 2012 to a student on any one of the MA's in the School of History (subject to confirmation of funding by the AHRC). The award will be a full studentship which will cover tuition fees plus a maintenance grant (EU students will be eligible for tuition fees only). For further information about AHRC Awards please see the AHRC website.

To be considered for the above award, applications need to be received by 1st March 2012. If you are successful in your application to study at the University of East Anglia, and your application is considered strong enough to be considered for an AHRC award at UEA, we will provide forms and advice on the AHRC nomination process.

How To Apply

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the hard copy application form, or by using the application form in the University’s Postgraduate Prospectus.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

History Courses

History

MA Medieval History