MA Medieval History (Part time)
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Have you ever wondered what our world owes to the Middle Ages? Would you like to explore the medieval past while developing your research skills? If so, then our part-time MA in Medieval History is for you. This course will make you re-think what you know about the Middle Ages and open your eyes to the medieval legacy that remains all around us.
At UEA you’ll be taught by internationally recognised scholars. Focusing on the years between 900 and 1500, they’ll help you understand the political, ecclesiastical, social and cultural history of medieval England and Western Europe.
Across two years, you’ll explore medieval history through seminars and tutorials, which will also equip you with the skills to access medieval sources. In your second year, you’ll put your skills into practice, pursuing your own historical research in a dissertation.
Norwich is an ideal city in which to study medieval history. Not only does it retain many medieval buildings, but our historians have access to Norfolk Record Office’s vast collection of documents, as well as to the cutting-edge archaeological and heritage work of Norwich Castle Museum.
Our part-time MA will open all kinds of paths for you. Graduates come from across the world to study with us. Many have gone on to undertake doctoral study, and this could be your first step towards becoming a professional historian. The skills you’ll learn will serve you equally well in careers as diverse as heritage and tourism, teaching, law, and many other professions.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our part-time Master’s course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to undertake independent historical research at an advanced level.
Over two semesters, you’ll be given expert training in Medieval Latin and Medieval Palaeography, so that you can decipher and get the most out of the primary sources you’ll be studying.
You’ll study England and the continent in the Middle Ages in our core module, with weekly seminars that run over two semesters. The course is team-taught by several members of our faculty, so you’ll benefit from their expert knowledge of a variety of specialist areas, while also gaining insight into the most up-to-date research on the subject. You’ll cover themes that may include: historical writing, saints’ lives, urban communities, canon law, the religious life, and manuscript collections and archives.
Compulsory Modules
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. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our integrated approach means that your learning from each module will relate to and inform your other modules. Broad and thorough, this also makes for a more interesting and stimulating study experience.
Our core module provides an overview of key themes and issues across periods and countries, usually based on selected case studies. And our skills-based modules will provide the methodological tools key to the study of medieval history, as well as the conceptual knowledge you’ll need to complete the core module and your dissertation. You’ll also develop transferable skills that you can put to use in your professional career, once you’ve graduated.
Our teaching will enhance your knowledge and awareness of different disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. And by the end of the spring term of your second year, with our close supervision and advice, you’ll be in the position to embark on your extended, independent, original research project.
Independent study
The very nature of a Master’s course means that you’ll spend a lot of time carrying out independent study. You’ll have access to UEA’s state-of-the-art library, which houses a wealth of specialist research collections in British, European, and global history. You’ll also have access to the East Anglian Film Archive and the Norfolk Record Office. Moreover, you’ll be able to work with libraries and archives across the country, including the British Library, the National Archives and Cambridge University Library, as well as similar resources overseas.
The balance we offer between independent thinking and study skills will help you grow into a self-motivated learner, an analytical thinker and an expert researcher. You’ll develop accuracy and precision in your written work through evidence-based analysis. And you’ll become well versed in time management, making you highly organised and confident in self-directed study.
Throughout your degree, you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.
Assessment
Our modules include both formative and summative assessments, with feedback provided in various ways. This may include – but is not restricted to – written feedback, oral feedback in seminars and tutorials, and peer-to-peer feedback.
Each module will include a sequence of assessments, giving you the opportunity to learn from your formative feedback. The process will encourage you to reflect on your performance and to approach subsequent pieces of work with greater confidence, improving your performance in summative assessments.
Formative assessment includes presentations, essays and dissertation plans, research training and specialised skills.
Summative work is assessed through coursework essays and skills tasks.
Structure
In the second year, you’ll commence work on your dissertation, which is your chance to put your skills into practice in your own historical research project. You’ll be supervised by one or more members of the School, gaining guidance and support throughout the process. Several of our previous students have gone on to use their dissertation as the basis for a piece of published work.
Compulsory Modules
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. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In the second year, you’ll focus on researching and writing your dissertation. You’ll receive regular guidance and support through one-to-one meetings with your supervisor, a member of staff with relevant expertise.
You’ll be expected to build on your independent study skills as you work on your dissertation, with access to UEA’s state-of-the-art library as your base. You’ll also have access to various online collections of primary and secondary material and the possibility to travel to specialist archives across the country.
Assessment
In the second year, you’ll focus on researching and writing your dissertation (14,000 – 16,000 words).
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate ready to pursue a wide range of occupations, thanks to the breadth of the skills you'll have acquired during your postgraduate history degree. Many of our graduates go on to pursue academic careers. Others develop careers in business, public service, teaching and management, or the heritage and tourism sector.
We work closely with UEA’s Careers Service, offering a number of events, workshops, and information sessions to help get your career off to the best start.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Teaching and research
- Civil service and local government
- Heritage and tourism
- Journalism
- Law
- Business and finance
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1
Degree Subject
Humanities subject
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2:1 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Humanities subject
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking with 5.5 in the others)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
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 students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
Additional Course Costs
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
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.