MA History
Whether you're interested in culture and society, politics and power, or war and conflict, in the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies at Essex we give you the freedom to explore the history that excites you. Our global expertise and topical diversity give you an unrivalled opportunity to pursue your historical passions and discover new ones.
Our MA History is rigorous, flexible and wide-ranging, so that you can to choose the modules and a dissertation topic which best suit your interests. Historical research at Essex concentrates on the period from 1500 to the present, and covers a wide geographical area that includes Britain and Europe, Russia, Latin America, the USA, China and Africa.
In addition to two compulsory modules, one that deals with recent developments in the study of history and the other providing you with practical steps to undertake historical research, you take three optional MA modules which enable you to explore the latest in historical research in our specialist areas. You also write a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice. Our Masters degree also provides you with opportunities to explore local history, and we have strong links with the Essex Record Office, one of the best county record offices in the UK.
A variety of assessment allows for testing of a range of skills and learning outcomes. Assessed coursework generally consists of essays, concept studies, critical commentaries, research proposals, and a 15,000-word dissertation. Students usually attend a two-hour seminar for each module each week. Seminar groups/workshops which would usually have about 15 students.
- Take the opportunity to explore the history that excites you – choose from a wide range of regions and periods
- Work alongside scholars who are leading the way in public history, finding new ways to engage with audiences outside of academia
- Work alongside engaged industry researchers
Our expert staff
Our staff are among world leaders in their field, and our enthusiasm for our subject is infectious. Our flexible course is combined with a supportive structure which helps you to pursue the modules best-suited to your interests.
We take the time to get to know you as an individual, welcome you into our scholarly community, and value your views.
Specialist facilities
- We have several Special Collections in history, including the Essex Society for Archaeology and History Library, the Harsnett Collection, the Hervey Benham Oral History Sound Archive, the Bensusan Collection, and the Colchester Medical Society Library
- Access the UK Data Archive, a national service provider digital resources for historians, which is particularly strong in 19th and 20th-century economic and social history
- Access a variety of textbooks and journals in our Albert Sloman Library which houses materials on Latin America, Russia and the US that are of national significance
Your future
We have excellent links with the research community, both in the UK and worldwide, so many of our students have gone on to teach in higher education institutions. Others have found employment in archives, research, managing research funds, other forms of educational provision, the Civil Service, the National Health Service, and primary and secondary school teaching.
We offer further study in areas such as :We have excellent links with the research community, both in the UK and worldwide, so many of our students have gone on to teach in higher education institutions. Others have found employment in archives, research, managing research funds, other forms of educational provision, the Civil Service, the National Health Service, and management.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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