Contemporary History and Politics MA

This MA Contemporary History and Politics combines a rich and varied study of the recent past and politics allowing you to explore how the two disciplines intersect and integrate. We cover a wide geographic range of content so you can choose to focus on Europe, Britain, China, Africa, South Asia or the Middle East.

Why choose this course?

* You will be taught by internationally acclaimed scholars, so you have the opportunity to critically reflect with them on key historical events, methodologies and ideas. You will also develop a rigorous understanding of political theory, concepts and research methods, applying this knowledge to understand complex political questions.

* Drawing on the expertise of our historians and social scientists, you can enjoy the choice of an impressive range of option modules covering a wide sweep of political ideas and systems, historical periods and regions of the world.

* As our campus is based in the heart of academic London, you will have unrivalled access to archives and libraries, ideal for the study of contemporary history and politics.

What will I learn?

You will gain a thorough grounding in research methodologies, approaches and techniques for both disciplines and learn how to apply them critically and creatively to your own research and writing. You will also develop a sophisticated appreciation of the complex interplay between national, international, political, social and historical forces that have produced the contemporary world.

You will focus on topics ranging from histories of decolonisation, international organisations, global feminism and Mediterranean cities to the politics of environment, and American foreign policy. These will equip you for further research or careers in education, or in the public, private or third sector.

How will I learn?

This MA is available to study in the evening, either full- or part-time. Classes consist of a combination of short lectures, seminars and small-group discussions. Some option modules may also include visits to museums, archives and heritage sites.

In your final year, you will apply the skills and knowledge you have developed in devising your own research project.

This course gives you the choice of studying on campus, online or via flexible learning. Please note, courses starting in January take place only on campus.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Highlights

* Birkbeck’s School of Historical Studies is one of the few schools in the UK to include historians working on every period from prehistoric humans, Ancient Greece and Rome, to medieval, early modern and modern societies.

* Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History, Classics and Archaeology research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

* Our academic staff in the School of Social Sciences are international authorities, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching on a wide range of political topics including public policy, foreign policy, international security and terrorism, gender and the welfare state, British politics, and the politics of Asia and the Middle East.

* All MA students are eligible to apply for our prestigious Eric Hobsbawm Postgraduate Scholarships. If you are taking the course part time, you may be eligible for a Bonnart Trust Masters Studentship.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained important transferable skills in:

* rigorous analytical, interpretive and writing skills at an advanced level

* presentation and debating skills.

Studying this course will prepare you for a career including in:

* education

* journalism and broadcasting

* museums and curatorial roles

* politics and the Civil Service.