Historical Research

Master

In London

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    2 Years

Students should be able to demonstrate: Systematic understanding of the main historical questions related to the topics covered in the core modules and the project. Awareness of current scholarship and main issues in historiography. Ability to evaluate current scholarship. Ability independently to consider, evaluate and synthesise historical evidence drawn from primary sources and historical argument drawn from secondary sources to reach and support sound conclusions. Ability to communicate their understanding and knowledge clearly in both written and spoken form. Suitable for anyone wishing to develop a broad range of transferable historical skills and those seeking a professional career in the historical profession.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
University Of London, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU

Start date

On request

About this course

The normal minimum entrance requirement is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements, but who offer alternative qualifications or who have considerable work experience in a relevant field. UK applicants are normally asked to attend for interview at the Institute. ...

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Course programme

MA in Historical Research

Mode:
part-time

Aims of the programme
The MA in Historical Research allows students to undertake assessed work and independent projects in the issues and controversies which interest them most. Students are introduced to key historical approaches, sources and methods and learn to apply them to their particular subject area. The course offers wide-ranging research training, and importance is placed on the use of architecture, material culture, archaeology and literature to aid historical research and understanding. Field trips and museum visits form a key part of the training programme. The degree can be undertaken in any historic area where Institute of Historical Research staff have supervisory competence.

All students will take the core 'Historical Training' and 'Cities and Localities in History' modules, which introduce them to ideas and methods involved in historical research from the medieval period to the twentieth century. Further skills-based training is provided by specialised courses at the IHR. Instead of a taught option course, students may undertake an independent project of 5,000 words on a subject agreed with their supervisor, which will require the completion of some original historical research and/or source criticism, and then a dissertation. The project and dissertation need not be in the same broad subject area or the same historical period.

Alongside the development of techniques, skills and knowledge relevant to individual interests and research needs, the programme aims to equip students for both independent research and analysis in primary and secondary material, and writing at an advanced level, thus fostering their intellectual development and independent learning ability required for continuing professional and personal development.

Intended programme outcomes, and how they are achieved

a) Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the programme students should be able to demonstrate:

  • Systematic understanding of the main historical questions related to the topics covered in the core modules and the project
  • Awareness of current scholarship and main issues in historiography
  • Ability to evaluate current scholarship
  • Ability independently to consider, evaluate and synthesise historical evidence drawn from primary sources and historical argument drawn from secondary sources to reach and support sound conclusions
  • Ability to communicate their understanding and knowledge clearly in both written and spoken form

b) Skills and other attributes
Students will acquire the ability to:

  • Handle sources of information at an advanced level
  • Develop powers of expression and argumentation
  • Communicate complex ideas in writing, oral presentations and group discussion
  • Use appropriate critical methodologies
  • Conduct independent research at an advanced level, and evaluate and critically use material
  • Display analysis of research carried out in primary and secondary material providing a foundation for professional work or academic research
  • Produce written work in an appropriate style, with good organisation of ideas, clarity of expression, argument and presentation
  • Engage critically with a wide body of literature

c) Teaching, learning and assessment strategies

Learning strategies include seminar discussions and presentations, lectures, private reading and independent research, individual tuition and support for seminar and essay presentation.

Assessment is by two 2,500 word written exercises, one of which may have an oral component (Historical Training module), one 5,000-word assignment (Cities and Localities in History module), and by a special project report of up to 5,000 words. Together these account for 60% of the final mark. Students are required to complete a dissertation, on a local or regional history topic, of between 10,000 and 15,000 words (40% of the final mark).

The essays are submitted at fixed dates from November until the end of April. The dissertation (maximum length 15,000 words including footnotes, references and appendices, but excluding bibliography) is submitted at the end of September.

Programme Structure
The core modules 'Historical Training' and 'Cities and Localities in History' are taught within the IHR. The special project is an original extended assignment based around the individual student's particular area of interest. Students will not be required to attend formal weekly calsses but they will attend group discussions on the practical application of historical methods and at least four supervisory sessions.

Assessment regulations and marking scheme
To be awarded the degree it is necessary to pass each module and the dissertation. 'The Historical Training' module is examined by two written exercises and counts for 20% of the overall mark. The 'Cities and Localities in History' module, examined by one assessed essay, also counts for 20% of the final mark. The special project is examined by one written report and counts for 20% of the overall mark. The dissertation counts for 40% of the overall mark.

The pass mark is 50% - this applies to each assessed component of the degree and to the degree overall. If a piece of assessed coursework is marked below 50% it may be resubmitted once at the next coursework deadline. MAs will be graded overall as Distinction, Merit, Pass or Fail. Merit may be awarded for a mark of 65-69% overall, including not less than 65% in the dissertation. Distinction may be awarded for a mark of at least 70% overall, including not less than 70% in the dissertation. A student has to achieve a pass in the dissertation in order to pass overall. Candidates will not be permitted to proceed to submission of the dissertation unless they have satisfied the examiners in the four modules.

Entry Requirements
The normal minimum entrance requirement is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements, but who offer alternative qualifications or who have considerable work experience in a relevant field. UK applicants are normally asked to attend for interview at the Institute. Overseas applicants may be asked to submit a piece of written work in English, on a relevant historical subject, in lieu of an interview.

Competence in English
All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence (gained in the last 3 years) that their written and spoken English language is adequate for postgraduate study. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying and living in the UK.

Historical Research

Price on request