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History (MA)

Explore our History taught Master's degree at Warwick

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P-V141

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

28 September 2026

History

University of Warwick

The Warwick History MA offers advanced study in history. You will investigate historical change within a broad conceptual and theoretical framework, with an opportunity to explore dynamic global developments from the early modern period to the present. 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. This course will particularly appeal to those who wish to conduct further research in history.

The Warwick History MA offers advanced study in history. Our MA programme allows you the opportunity to both specialise and diversify, to follow your passion and to try something new. You will be taught by experts in their field, introducing you to their areas of research and what it is to be a historian. You will have the opportunity to study and write about what really enthuses you, and to pursue in-depth research on your chosen dissertation topic. Optional modules will offer a chronological, geographical, and thematic range of topics, including in modern history, early modern history, global history, and the history of medicine. You’ll be able to take advantage of the Department's field-leading research centresLink opens in a new window, including participating in the lively schedule of academic research seminars, lectures and conferences.

Our new core module, redeveloped for 2026 entry, is called ‘History Writing: Theory and Practice.’ Over two terms you will learn about recent theories and methodologies in history writing to understand human experience and agency, questions of power and knowledge, and conceptions of historical change. As well as covering more fundamental themes and approaches to historical research, this module will enable you to prepare for the dissertation research and writing process. Interactive workshop sessions will support students to develop the skills needed to produce an original piece of historical research.

Students will have the option to graduate either with an MA in History, or an MA in a more specialised area of study. The routes available are:

• MA History
• MA History (Medicine, Science and Technology)
• MA History (Early Modern)
• MA History (Global and Comparative)
• MA History (Modern)

In order to graduate with a specialised route title, you must pass at least 30 CATS of History modules and complete a dissertation in the relevant subject area. You must also attend research seminars and events in that area, and reflect on your learning from these events.

In terms of optional modules, you can take either two or three optional modules. The modules on offer each year will vary according to staff availability and student demand. We are currently revising our suite of optional modules for 2026-27, but they will offer a chronological, geographical, and thematic range of topics. You are also able to take optional modules in cognate disciplines e.g. Politics and International Relations, English and Comparative Literary Studies, Film & TV, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Modern Languages and Cultures, Sociology.

Finally, you will complete a dissertation. In your dissertation you will 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 regularly.

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.

History Writing: Theory and Practice

This compulsory 60 CATS two-term core MA module will equip you with the theoretical and methodological skills needed to carry out an extended piece of historical research and writing. Teaching will be delivered in a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops.

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.

Class Size

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 platformLink opens in a new window. 

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 Writing History module in the first year. This will mean that the optional modules 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.

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

• 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.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Optional modules can vary from year to year. We are currently revising our suite of optional modules, and more information will be available in the coming months. Example optional modules may include:

You will choose two or three modules from the list above. You are also able to take optional modules in cognate disciplines, e.g., Politics and International Relations, English and Comparative Literary Studies, Film & TV, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Modern Languages and Cultures, Sociology.

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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