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MA Early Modern History

The Early Modern History course from University of Birmingham is taught by leading scholars whose expertise covers the Catholic and Protestant Reformations, New World discoveries, and the political, cultural and religious worlds of sixteenth-, seventeenth- and eighteenth-century England and Europe.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (Full-Time)
2 years (Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £21,150 per year
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Topics such as violence, clothing, gender, exploration, art, drama, music, buildings and material culture have come to be seen as crucial to understanding the transformations that were taking place across the period c.1500-c.1700. These new approaches are integral to the teaching and research training provided on this MA Early Modern History.

It combines political, religious, social, cultural, material and intellectual approaches to introduce the early modern period in all its richness and complexity, and to equip students with the knowledge and skills to take a fresh look at early modern history. You will be able to develop both your empirical and conceptual knowledge of the recent past.

The Early Modern History course from University of Birmingham also has an annual field trip, designed to explore key themes and issues outside of the classroom, in the context of key buildings, documents and historical artefacts.

The enormous breadth of staff expertise gives you a rich variety of options, and a wide range of possibilities for your dissertation topic. The programme also offers comprehensive research training opportunities, providing the ideal grounding to undertake a PhD in this area.

Courses included:

  • Capital Lives: Experiencing the City in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth- Century Britain
  • Of Great Powers and Failed States. Conceptions of the State in the Modern World
  • Women Behaving Badly in Tudor and Stuart England
  • Before and After the Mongols: Political Authority in Islamic Lands, 1000-1600
  • Warfare at Sea from the Armada to D-Day
  • Before Globalization?: Afro-Eurasian World History 500-1800
  • Piracy, Plunder, Peoples and Exploitation: English Exploration in the Tudor Period
  • Experts, Scholars, and Spies: the Information Revolution in Early Modern Europe

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University’s Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
  • Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
  • Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
  • Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

Requirements

  • You will need an Honours degree, normally in any humanities or social science discipline, such as History, Politics, Cultural Studies, or Literature, and normally of an upper second-class standard.
  • All applications are treated on their merits, and we are happy to consider applicants who may have travelled by non-standard routes. Applications should highlight your interest in the programme and any relevant experience you have, academic or otherwise.
  • Applicants are encouraged to contact the programme convenor to discuss their application before submitting it.

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