MA Medieval History

Our Medieval History MA will deepen your understanding of the European Middle Ages, while equipping you with the skills you need to explore this vast and significant period.

Taught through seminars and tutorials the programme will introduce you to a series of key concepts for the period. These include: the relation between medieval Europe and the classical past, Latin and vernacular languages, sainthood and medieval politics, economics and society, the Bible interpreted as a political manifesto, the records of royal government, the rise of the bureaucratic state, and kingship – both in the ideal and in reality.

Drawing upon the joint expertise of our course tutors, the course has a particular focus on the relations between England and the Continent in the period 900 to1400. And with the resources of our region including the vast collection of medieval documents held by the Norfolk Record Office and the cutting-edge archaeological investigations of Norwich Castle Museum – as well as national and international resources – primary sources will lie at the heart of your learning. Plus you’ll be given expert training on how to decipher the language and handwriting of the era.

Towards the end of the year you’ll work on your Master’s dissertation, which will give you the chance to put your skills into practice as you pursue an independent piece of historical research of your own devising. You’ll be supervised by one or more academics from the School, who will offer guidance and support throughout.

A Master’s in Medieval History from UEA will open up all kinds of career paths to you, but is also designed to prepare you for doctoral study.

About

Study for your Master’s degree in a region steeped in Medieval History.

Taught by internationally recognised scholars, our course will help you get to grips with the major themes in political, ecclesiastical, social and cultural history of medieval England and Western Europe, with a focus on England and the Continent between 900 and 1400. A rich and diverse period, you’ll be studying with experts who are defining our understanding of the period.

Primary sources will be at the heart of your studies. We have access to The Norfolk Record Office’s vast collection of medieval documents, as well as to the cutting-edge archaeological work of the Norwich Castle Museum.

Graduates come from across the world to study for a Master’s in Medieval History with us. Many have gone on to undertake doctoral study, and this course could be your first step towards becoming a professional historian. However, the skills you’ll gain will also open doors to careers in heritage, teaching, law and research.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Our modules include both formative and summative assessments, with feedback provided in various ways. This includes – 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 – including the options to submit book and exhibition reviews – and your dissertation.

Structure

Our Master’s course will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake independent historical research at an advanced level.

Over two semesters you will 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 will also complete our core module, England and the Continent in the Middle Ages, which has weekly seminars and runs over two semesters. Team-taught by several members of our faculty, you’ll benefit from their expert knowledge on a variety of specialist areas, while also gaining insight into the most up-to-date research on the subject. Within the module you’ll cover themes including: 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, and Magna Carta.

Towards the end of the year you’ll commence work on your dissertation, which is your chance to put your skills into practice in your own historical research. 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.

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 theoretical and 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 will 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, with our close supervision and advice, you will 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 will 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 will develop accuracy and precision in your written work through evidence-based analysis. And you will become well versed in time management, making you highly organised and confident in self-directed study.

Throughout your degree you will be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.

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Assessment for Year 1

Compulsory Modules

ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Code HIS-7010Y

Credits 60

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 seminars; weekly preparation is, therefore, a requirement of the course.

MEDIEVAL PALEOGRAPHY

Code HIS-7022Y

Credits 20

Our Medieval Latin Paleography tuition concentrates on the reading and interpretation of a range of original Latin sources from the late 11th to the early 16th century.

MEDIEVAL LATIN

Code HIS-7023Y

Credits 20

A good command of basic Latin is a fundamental tool for the aspiring medievalist. Our Latin training is suitable for complete beginners, but more advanced tuition is available for students with a prior knowledge of the language.

MA HISTORY DISSERTATION

Code HIS-7019X

Credits 80

Dissertation for students taking the MA in the School of History. 14,000 - 16,000 Words

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Important Information

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.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent

Degree subject

History or a related subject

Additional 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. This should be uploaded to your online application on applying.

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: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in two components only, with 6.0 in the other two)
PTE (Pearson): 52 (minimum 42 in two components only with 48 in the other two)

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

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests

INTO UEA also 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.

Intakes

This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

Admissions Live Chat

Exploring Independence

The full implications of Britain’s recent decision to exit the European Union are hard to predict. But the longer history of independence in Britain helps make sense of this historic event.

How rupture with mainland Europe caused Britain to falter for hundreds of years

Placeless people

A new research network at UEA explores how the humanities can contribute to our shared understanding of refugee history and refugeedom today.

LEARN MORE >

Course Reference Number: 1544309

History

MA MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Key details

Year of Entry:

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Arts

Duration (years)

Important Information

Study for your Master’s degree in a region steeped in Medieval History. Taught by internationally recognised scholars, our course will help you get to grips with the major themes in political, ecclesiastical, social and cultural history of medieval England and Western Europe, with a focus on England and the Continent between 900 and 1400. A rich and diverse period, you’ll be studying with experts who are defining our understanding of the period. Primary sources will be at the heart of your studies. We have access to The Norfolk Record Office’s vast collection of medieval documents, as well as to the cutting-edge archaeological work of the Norwich Castle Museum. Graduates come from across the world to study for a Master’s in Medieval History with us. Many have gone on to undertake doctoral study, and this course could be your first step towards becoming a professional historian. However, the skills you’ll gain will also open doors to careers in heritage, teaching, law and research.

Admissions Live Chat

Exploring Independence

The full implications of Britain’s recent decision to exit the European Union are hard to predict. But the longer history of independence in Britain helps make sense of this historic event.

How rupture with mainland Europe caused Britain to falter for hundreds of years

Placeless people

A new research network at UEA explores how the humanities can contribute to our shared understanding of refugee history and refugeedom today.

LEARN MORE >

Course Variants

MA Medieval History (Part time)

MA MEDIEVAL HISTORY