This MA draws on the wide range and depth of research and teaching expertise in UCL History to give students the opportunity to choose modules relating to a variety of historical periods and locations. The programme offers advanced-level teaching by leading practitioners in a range of fields.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students will be introduced to key historical concepts and theories. The core course offers a forum for such debates, and also provides students with the technical and intellectual apparatus to pursue their own research interests under expert guidance.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), between two and four optional modules (60 credits) and a research dissertation (90 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in History.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- History dissertation
- Advanced Skills, Concepts and Theory for MA Historians
Optional modules
Optional modules will be finalised in Spring 2021. The following Optional Modules were available in 2020-21 and this is an indicative list only:
- Britain and Decolonization since 1945
- The Cause of All Mankind? US Encounters with Revolution, c.1880-1980
- Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Controversies and Debates in First World War Studies
- Decolonisation and Development in Africa
- Narrating the Past: Public and Oral History
- Gender and Sexuality in Modern Britain, c.1850 to the present
- Remembering Conflict and Mass Violence
- Hollywood Genres
- The Enlightenment
- The Great Depression and the Making of the Third World
- Unity before the Union: The Idea of Europe in the Modern Era
- A Global History of the Middle Ages
- The Invention of the Question: A History of European Thinking, 1100-1400
- The making of the Christian Empire, AD 284-425
If you wish you can also choose an optional module from outside the Department with the Programme Tutor's permission.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project on a topic in History, which culminates in a dissertation of up to 15,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Some sessions will take place outside UCL in institutions such as the British Library, the National Archives, and the Institute of Historical Research. Students are assessed through written coursework, examination, and the dissertation.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Baxendale Scholarship
- Note:
- Deadline: 30 June 2021
- Value:
- £7,000 towards tuition fees (1 year (full-time) or 2 years (Part-time))
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
Jean Orr Scholarship
- Value:
- £7,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
Carol Chattaway Scholarship
- Note:
- Deadline: 15 May 2021
- Value:
- £2,500 towards tuition fees (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU, Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
This programme not only provides an outstanding foundation for those hoping to undertake PhD research and pursue an academic career, but is also popular with students wishing to go into journalism, the civil service, business, museum and heritage and the education sectors.
Employability
Debates, small group seminars and tutorials help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills for their future careers. Likewise the analytical and research skills gained by students on this programme are highly valued by employers from a range of industries. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills whilst they are here, for example departmental careers talks and networking opportunities with history alumni.
Why study this degree at UCL?
UCL History enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching.
The department is strongly committed to the intellectual development of all our students; if you come to UCL, you will receive individual supervision from leading historians.
Located in Bloomsbury, UCL History is just a few minutes' walk away from the exceptional resources of the British Library, the British Museum and the research institutes of the University of London, including the Warburg and the Institute of Historical Research. UCL is ideally located at the heart of various historical societies and academic communities.
Department: History
What our students and staff say
"My work challenges celebratory accounts of Britain's early industrial revolution. All societies are inclined to mythologise the past, in part to justify present actions. Research historians must point out such distortions and misunderstandings so that we, individuals, communities, and societies, act more thoughtfully and sympathetically in the present. I've taught for many years, but I still enjoy it a lot because I'm stimulated and challenged by my students. Each year they are a bit different to the year before. I enjoy observing that and having to respond to it in my teaching. Secondly, even with so many resources now online, I love going to libraries and archives and piecing together little bits of the past."
Professor Julian Hoppit
History MA, European History MA
Astor Professor of British History
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme provides an ideal foundation for doctoral research. It is particularly suitable for those wishing to study the early modern and modern periods, but students are also able to take options in medieval and ancient history. It can also act as a conversion course for non-historians wishing to pursue research in history.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study History at graduate level
- why you want to study History at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021