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Early Modern History (MA) (2025 Entry)

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Postgraduate Taught

Explore our Early Modern History taught Master's degree at Warwick

Explore the religious, social, economic, political and cultural developments in the early modern world on this MA. The University of Warwick's History department – whose research activity is ranked one of the highest in the country (92%, REF 2021), will provide you with the guidance to acquire conceptual and practical skills and expertise in this field.


Course overview

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. All 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.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 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 core 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 in Early Modern History c.1450-c.1800

This is a 30 CATS one-term 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. Teaching is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.

Dissertation

The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important piece of work you will produce in the course (a 15,000 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:

  • 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

You are required to take two of the above.

Teaching

Historical Research: Theory, Skills and Methods

This compulsory 30 CATS one-term core 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 in Early Modern History c.1450-c.1800

This is a 30 CATS one-term 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. Teaching is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars.

Dissertation

The dissertation (60 CATS) is the most important piece of work you will produce in the course (a 15,000 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 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.  


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.


Part-time Study

The University of Warwick welcomes applications from students wishing to undertake the master's degree on a part time basis. Part-time students complete the same quantity of work undertaken by full time students, but this work is spread out over a longer period. Part-time study for the History Master’s degrees typically takes two years, instead of the usual one year.

The Department of History offers a high degree of flexibility in the construction of individualised programmes of part-time study. However, we recommend that part-time students follow the mandatory Theory, Skill, Method (TSM) module in the autumn term and one optional module in the spring term during their first year, to spread the workload as evenly as possible. This will mean that the course-specific core module and the second optional module are followed in the second year. (If students have external commitments which mean that a different structure is more appropriate, this can normally be accommodated.)

Part-time students will rarely be required to be on campus for more than one or two days a week. Part-time students will join the vibrant community of postgraduates in the Warwick History Department, and are encouraged to attend as many of the wide range of departmental offerings (seminars, reading groups, discussion forums, conferences, staff-student liaison committee, etc) as they are able to accommodate into their own timetable.

Queries about part-time MAs should firstly be directed to the Postgraduate Coordinator via email at PGHistoryOffice at warwick dot ac dot uk.

Your career

A postgraduate degree in History provides you with the skills and knowledge to embark on a range of career paths. History Master’s graduates have pursued careers in academia, 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

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

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

History Master’s Degrees

Warwick specialises in research-led teaching and as a Taught Master’s student you will be supported by a team of exceptional historians who will help you take your passion for History to the next level.

Our four History Master’s degrees enable you to further explore a range of time periods, or focus more specifically on the History of Medicine. We are home to four field-leading Research CentresLink opens in a new window, which underpin each of our courses.

Each of our History MA degrees will provide you with the skills and experience you need to continue on to a History PhD or to help you enter your chosen career.


Our Master’s Degrees

Our Research Courses

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.

Find your taught 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.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 opens on 2 October 2024.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

  • Warwick hosted events
  • Postgraduate Fairs
  • Live chats
  • Talk and Tours
  • Department events