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Modern History (MA) (2022 Entry)

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Course overview header

This MA offers you an in-depth knowledge and overview of how the world in which we live has been formed over the course of the modern age. You will investigate economic, cultural, social and religious change from 1800 onwards. And you will be introduced to key thinkers and theoretical models that have been used to make sense of modern societies. 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 Modern History’ interrogates the concept of ‘modernity’ across the world, giving you the opportunity to focus the writings of some of the most influential thinkers, historians and political figures of the modern age.

In the second term, you will select two optional modules in which you can explore themes and approaches to the historical study of religious cultures; gender and sexuality; science and technology; empire; consumption and the medical humanities.

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 and Methods in Medical History

This 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 and includes sessions on Britain, Europe and global medicine and health. The module 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.

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 Global and Comparative History

This core module for the MA in Global and Comparative History is intended to give a critical overview of one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of modern historical enquiry - global history. It aims to give you an understanding of how global history has emerged from earlier approaches to the study of history, what makes it distinctive and what its principal strengths and weaknesses might be. As the core course, this module not only examines the range of historical methods and interpretations that constitute global history, but also looks at ways in which 'the global' can be investigated in relation to the regional and the local by taking up perspectives from Asia, Africa and the Atlantic and Islamic Worlds.

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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