History of Medicine (MA) (2023 Entry)
Explore our History of Medicine taught Master's degree.
The History of Medicine MA will introduce you to the advanced study of the history of medicine, engaging with a range of concepts and placing medical theory in a broad social and cultural framework. Study at the University of Warwick's History department, an internationally recognised centre for innovative and influential research.
Course overview
This MA encourages you to place developments within medical theory and practice in a broad social and cultural framework and to use a wide range of sources available to the historian of medicine (such as medical texts, practice records, diaries, case records, public health reports and health propaganda, and visual sources). Our modules are taught by a team of experts, ensuring that you are exposed to as many different viewpoints and approaches as possible.
The Term One core module ‘Themes and Methods in Medical History’ is designed to introduce you to some of the main historiographical approaches and debates within the history of medicine from the early modern period to the twenty-first century. The module focuses on the evolution of ideas, institutions and practices within medicine, the reception of new approaches and lay responses, the structure of medical practice and the medical professions, and the scientific, social and cultural context of medical intervention.
The Term Two core module, 'Matters of Life and Death' focuses on recent contributions to the discipline. It provides you with the opportunity to discuss in depth methodologies and approaches, the research questions underpinning the work and theoretical frameworks. By studying these texts, you will actively engage with the wide range of sources available.
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.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- 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.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods
This 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 one lecture and one seminar each week.
Themes and Methods in Medical History
This term I compulsory 30 CATS module is designed to introduce you to both major developments in medical thought and practice, and the main methodological approaches and debates used within the field of the history of medicine. It covers the early modern period to the twenty-first century, and invites you to think comparatively about medicine across space and time. The module includes sessions on Britain, Europe and global medicine and health. It focuses on the evolution of ideas, language and technologies within medicine, the reception of these new approaches and lay responses to them, the structure of medical practice, and the scientific, social, and cultural context of medical intervention.
Matters of Life and Death: Topics in the Medical Humanities
'Matters of Life and Death' is the Term Two compulsory 30 CATS core module for the MA in the History of Medicine. The module, taught in the Spring Term, may also be taken by students following any other MA programme in the History Department. 'Matters of Life and Death' will address a range of topics in the history of medicine via selected books authored by teaching and research staff in the Centre for the History of Medicine, enabling close study and reflection on the various historiographical and theoretical approaches adopted in these studies, sources and methodologies. This will enable you to consider how the field is evolving and new challenges in the medical humanities. You will be encouraged to relate these surveys to your own dissertation research and approaches.
Dissertation
The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important a piece of work you will produce in the course (a 20,000 word project). You should view it mainly as an opportunity to do in-depth research on your favourite topic and to develop research techniques and methodologies as well as to present the research in an appropriate format. It is helpful to begin the course with a clear, if general, idea of your dissertation topic.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- 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 one of the above.
Teaching
Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods
This 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 one lecture and one seminar each week.
Themes and Methods in Medical History
This term I compulsory 30 CATS module is designed to introduce you to both major developments in medical thought and practice, and the main methodological approaches and debates used within the field of the history of medicine. It covers the early modern period to the twenty-first century, and invites you to think comparatively about medicine across space and time. The module includes sessions on Britain, Europe and global medicine and health. It focuses on the evolution of ideas, language and technologies within medicine, the reception of these new approaches and lay responses to them, the structure of medical practice, and the scientific, social, and cultural context of medical intervention.
Matters of Life and Death: Topics in the Medical Humanities
'Matters of Life and Death' is the Term Two compulsory 30 CATS core module for the MA in the History of Medicine. The module, taught in the Spring Term, may also be taken by students following any other MA programme in the History Department. 'Matters of Life and Death' will address a range of topics in the history of medicine via selected books authored by teaching and research staff in the Centre for the History of Medicine, enabling close study and reflection on the various historiographical and theoretical approaches adopted in these studies, sources and methodologies. This will enable you to consider how the field is evolving and new challenges in the medical humanities. You will be encouraged to relate these surveys to your own dissertation research and approaches.
Dissertation
The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important a piece of work you will produce in the course (a 20,000 word project). You should view it mainly as an opportunity to do in-depth research on your favourite topic and to develop research techniques and methodologies as well as to present the research in an appropriate format. It is helpful to begin the course with a clear, if general, idea of your dissertation topic.
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.
Your career
History Master’s graduates have pursued careers in the civil service, NGOs, education, law and in a range of research roles across the private sector.
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- A Career to suit you
- Discovering Careers in the Creative Industries
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
History at Warwick
Each year, we attract excellent students like you to Warwick.
We will help you develop the skills needed to conduct research, including in the archives, engage critically with your sources, and support you in developing critical thinking and writing skills.
Whether you’re working with classmates in seminars and workshops, or getting involved with the History Society, at every turn you’ll find like-minded people who share your fascination with the past and its significance in the present.
Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website.Link opens in a new window
Our courses
- Early Modern History (MA)
- Global and Comparative History (MA)
- History (MA by Research)
- History (MPhil/PhD)
- History of Medicine (MA)
- Modern History (MA)
Read more about our courses on the History website:
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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