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Early Modern History (MA) (2022 Entry)

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Course overview header

This MA programme explores religious, social, economic and cultural developments in the early modern world, including the strains created by soaring prices and population, and heightened social mobility. Most modules are taught by a team of experts, ensuring that you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible.

In the first term you will study two core modules. ‘Theory, Skills and Methods’ provides a foundation in historical methods and theoretical frameworks used to study society and culture from the early modern period to the contemporary world. ‘Themes in Early Modern History’ provides a critical perspective on key themes and introduces you to a range of expertise at Warwick.

In the second term, you will select two optional modules, each one taking a different topic and exploring it across time and space. These will help you place your early modern interests in religion, gender, empire, consumption or medicine in a comparative framework, as well as deepen your acquaintance with relevant ideas and approaches from outside early modern scholarship. These modules enable you to focus on your early modern interests (you can write all your assessed work on early modern themes) whilst situating them in a wider context that will enrich your studies.

The final key element is the dissertation - here you have a large amount of freedom to develop a project of your own choice with help and guidance from your supervisor who will meet with you throughout the third term. Throughout the year, you will be able to take advantage of the Department’s six research centres, including participating in the lively schedule of academic research seminars, lectures and conferences.

The programme will appeal equally to those wishing to undertake further postgraduate study and those pursuing a career outside of the University, equipping you with research, writing and critical thinking skills vital in a range of professions.


Entry requirements header Entry requirements header

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


English Language requirements header
  • Band C
  • IELTS overall score of 7.5, minimum component scores of two at 6.5/7.0 and the rest at 7.5 or above.

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Additional requirements header

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Module header

Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods

This is a compulsory 30 CATS one-term MA module will equip you with the methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. As a student on one of the four MA History courses, you are required to follow it during the Autumn Term. Teaching will be delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.

Themes in Early Modern History c.1450-c.1800

This is a core module for the Early Modern History MA degree. It addresses key themes and historiographies, drawing on the expertise of a wide range of the early modernists at Warwick. Each session will be led by a different expert, ensuring you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible. The module will cover the period c.1450-c.1800, and although much of it will focus on Britain and European countries it will also seek to place them in their wider global and colonial context. The module will help to prepare students for term two modules, which take a more thematic approach.

Dissertation (60 Credits)


Optional module header
  • Matters of Life and Death: Topics in the Medical Humanities
  • Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Religious Cultures
  • Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Consumption
  • Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Empire
  • Themes and Approaches to the Historical Study of Gender and Sexuality
  • Themes in the History of Science, Technology, Environment and Society, 1500-today

You are required to take two of the above.

Teaching header

Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods
This is a compulsory 30 CATS one-term MA module will equip you with the methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. As a student on one of the four MA History courses, you are required to follow it during the Autumn Term. Teaching will be delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.

Themes in Early Modern History c.1450-c.1800
This is a core module for the Early Modern History MA degree. It addresses key themes and historiographies, drawing on the expertise of a wide range of the early modernists at Warwick. Each session will be led by a different expert, ensuring you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible. The module will cover the period c.1450-c.1800, and although much of it will focus on Britain and European countries it will also seek to place them in their wider global and colonial context. The module will help to prepare students for term two modules, which take a more thematic approach.

Dissertation (60 Credits)


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

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