Course Overview

On our Modern History MA, you’ll examine contemporary trends through historical lenses, by focusing on the deeper histories of nationalism, imperialism, and popular politics.

You’ll be taught by one of the largest groups of modern historians in the UK, working at the forefront of their fields in modern British, European and international history. Your modules will relate directly to our lecturers’ research, putting your studies at the heart of the latest historical issues and debates. And you’ll gain new insight into seismic political events such as Brexit, conflict on the borders of Putin’s Russia, and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.

Join our School and you’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate community. You’ll also develop the necessary professional skills to follow in the footsteps of our previous graduates, who’ve gone on to careers in law, finance, the civil service, local government and administration, heritage and tourism, teaching and research, and doctoral study.

About

Studying with some of the finest academics in the country, our Master’s course will improve and deepen your knowledge and understanding of modern history, with a particular focus on the seismic events of the 20th century.

Your studies will combine seminars and tutorials. And you’ll be able to take advantage of our specialisms in British history, the history of Central and Eastern Europe, historical approaches to nationalism, and the social, cultural, and political history of regions from East and South Asia to the Middle East and North America.

Our programme is characterised by its intensity, complexity and density of study. Through it, you’ll not only acquire a more advanced knowledge and understanding of modern history, but you’ll also develop and improve your understanding of the problems posed by primary sources and documents.

You’ll learn to synthesise and apply complex historical theories and concepts, and to test hypotheses against highly detailed examples and case studies. And you’ll develop the ability to discriminate between conflicting interpretations and perspectives – and to communicate your findings in a sustained and lucid manner, both in discussions and in your written work. You’ll discover, as well, how you can apply these skills in the heritage industry and other professional contexts.

You’ll put the skills and knowledge you’ll have acquired to good use in your Master’s dissertation. You’ll then graduate fully prepared for doctoral study, should you decide to remain in academia. And you’ll possess qualities vital to future employment, including problem-solving skills, self-discipline and time-management, the ability to work with others, and excellent oral and written skills.

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

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

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

Degree Classification

Bachelors degree (minimum 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):  

IELTS: 6.0 overall with a minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading.

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:  

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA  
Academic English at INTO UEA

Intakes

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

Additional Information or Requirements

Admissions Policy:

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

Book a visit to discover more

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:

UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
International Students: £21,200 (full time)

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 £1,023 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.

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.

MA Modern History

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