Historical Research MA

This MA Historical Research is our most flexible postgraduate history course, offering you the opportunity to develop a pathway through the course that best suits your needs and interests.<br/><br/><strong>Why choose this course?</strong><br/><br/><br/>• It gives you the chance to formulate a bespoke course choosing from a wide variety of different option modules which explore topics ranging across different regions and periods.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• You can also decide on a research route through this course that offers you the intellectual foundation, practical techniques and confidence to pursue a PhD or independent historical research in a particular area.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• You will have the opportunity to develop your own independent research project, under the guidance and supervision of one of our experts.<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>What you will learn</strong><br/><br/>On our flagship Mastering Historical Research module, which includes lectures from leading specialists, you will examine the major themes and approaches used in historical research today. You will then tailor the course to suit your interests and ambitions choosing from option modules that cover different historical periods, geographic regions and historical specialisms.<br/><br/><strong>How you will learn</strong><br/><br/>Core modules on this course are taught via a combination of lectures and in-depth seminar discussion. Option modules are taught via seminars with module-specific coursework designed to develop your reading, research and writing skills. You will also receive one-to-one supervision for your independent research project.<br/><br/>This course is available to study full- or part-time, with <strong>classes held in the evening</strong>.<br/><br/><strong>This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.</strong><br/><br/>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.<br/><br/><strong>Highlights</strong><br/><br/><br/>• This MA degree offers you practical training in advanced research skills that can support progression to PhD study.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Our research is unique in its range across geographical and chronological boundaries. We are the only university in London to include historians, classicists and archaeologists in the same team of academics investigating every period from prehistory to the early twenty-first century. <br/><br/><br/><br/>• All Master’s students are eligible to apply for our prestigious Eric Hobsbawm Scholarships, subject to availability. <br/><br/><br/><br/>• We are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Situated very close by are: the Institute of Classical Studies, the British Museum and the British Library.<br/><br/><br/><br/>• We are home to a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the worlds best scholars present their latest research. <br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>Careers and employability</strong><br/><br/>On successfully graduating from this MA Historical Research you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:<br/><br/><br/>- a solid grounding in historiography and history<br/><br/><br/>- training in critical reading and writing<br/><br/><br/>- training in the organisation of research and design of a research project.<br/><br/><br/>Studying this course will prepare you for further postgraduate research or study, or for roles in a range of fields and professions including any role that requires critical reading and evaluation of texts and sources. You may decide to pursue or further a career path working in:<br/><br/><br/>- secondary or sixth form school teaching<br/><br/><br/>- the heritage sector<br/><br/><br/>- journalism<br/><br/><br/>- law.<br/><br/><br/>Graduates from this course have gone on to be employed by the Historical Association, British Museum, BBC and Channel 4 News, and a number of different secondary schools.