Research-active scholars
Learn from historians who are actively publishing books and articles, contributing to national and international research networks, and bringing the latest scholarship into the classroom.
Entry year
2027/28
History MA
- Typical Annual Fee Scholarship & Discount eligibility may apply
- Modules
- Entry Requirements
-
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time3 other options available
-
Start Date
September 2027
History at Northumbria
Would you like to take part in a dynamic and adaptable course that can be tailored to your interests and career goals?
The MA History course will introduce you to a variety of historical topics as well as how to conduct historical research in the digital age. All modules will be taught by experts in their fields who will draw on their knowledge to enhance your learning experience.
This course incorporates five core modules that combine traditional historical study with training in research methods, providing a flexible approach to study. We take a close look at the big interpretive questions that are animating the study of history today. The course's particular strength is that it introduces students to digital history projects and current debates.
These taught modules will give you the skills you need to write your dissertation on a topic of your choice. Working with a specialist supervisor, you will develop a dissertation topic that reflects your interests and highlights your knowledge gained throughout your degree.
Throughout your degree, you will be supported by your specialist supervisor as well as the staff at Northumbria University's school of Humanities and Social Sciences. When not teaching, the school is made up of about 30 historians, all of whom are active in publishing journal articles and books. They specialise in a range of different time periods, geographical regions, as well as incorporating a variety of historical approaches. Our staff are very approachable and always eager to hear about what our students are working on.
You will have access to our cutting-edge learning facilities throughout your postgraduate studies, and you will be welcome at academic events and seminars hosted by the new Institute of the Humanities. This includes the fortnightly History Research Seminar, where historians from around the world present their most recent research. History at Northumbria is ranked 26th in the UK for research power, out of 81 institutions (REF, 2021).
Master of Research opportunity
If you already have quite a clear idea about a particular topic you’d like to explore, or you’re interested in a research-based career, then you might want to consider our History MRes.
Learning & Assessment
Learn through lectures, seminars, small-group discussions, individual tutorials, and guided independent research. Engage with resources via the eLearning Portal, with interactive reading lists, and scholarly databases.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- City Campus, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Module Information
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year One Core Modules
You will learn how to identify the intellectual, social, and cultural contexts that inform advanced research in historical studies. The module trains you in the skills necessary to compile historiographical material and develop theoretical knowledge about the past, including contextual analysis, source scrutiny, and understanding the ever-changing state of the historical field. These skills have major implications for your research. Most importantly, you will explore the methods and critical theories that define the study of your particular field of history. Thus, your curiosity and inquisitiveness underpin the direction of assessment. You will need to collect, sift, and analyse the secondary sources that dominate the historical understanding of your research topic. The module provides an overview of the ways in which historical writing has changed over time, and considers how theory and conceptual thinking has influenced historians. You will also learn how the historiography has developed in relation to your own research topic.
Year One Optional Modules
Optional modules may include:
- Britain’s Empires: Imperialism and Resistance since the 16th Century
- Individually Negotiated Topic
Year Two Core Modules
What were the social, cultural and political consequences of war? How have people analysed war, and how have they tried to prevent or end violent conflicts? The module invites you to explore these questions from a variety of angles, drawing on approaches from political history, cultural history and the history of ideas. We will address debates on, and experiences of, war and peace in different historical contexts – from the early modern period to the contemporary world.
The module is divided into three parts: ‘Theories and Thinkers’, ‘Peace-Building in Practice’ and ‘Conflicts in Context’. In the first section, we will analyse influential theories of war and peace. The second section allows you to explore different attempts to create a more peaceful world, encompassing high-level diplomacy, the work of international organisations such as the League of Nations as well as the campaigns waged by peace activists. In the final section of the module, we investigate different types of conflict, from civil war to total war.
In this module, you will learn about the advantages and potential pitfalls of doing History in the digital age. In doing so, you will develop skills that are essential for postgraduate research. The module develops your understanding of the relationship between planning research (formulating research questions, considering methodology), doing research (using a range of digital and traditional investigative techniques) and reflecting upon research (data handling and organization, the politics and ethics of research and reflective practice for writing). The module is designed to prepare you to collect, interpret and disseminate research as a means of supporting all of the modules that you take at Masters level. Crucially, the module equips you with the conceptual tools needed to approach your extended research project, the dissertation.
Throughout the module, you will consider the advantages and disadvantages of studying History in the 21st century. You will consider the historical, cultural and political role of archives, libraries and museums, but also the way in which digitized sources, digital research tool and the internet are shaping the nature of research. You will reflect on how digital methods differ from more traditional forms of historical enquiry, and how you, as a historian, can best use new technologies to develop your work.
In this module you will be provided with the skills to complete a dissertation on a topic that you will negotiate with your supervisor. The History dissertation represents the culmination of your postgraduate studies. It will enable you to apply the skills you have acquired in core modules and options to a discrete body of primary sources related to an identifiable area of historical enquiry. It is an exercise in research and is intended to develop your research skills and your ability to work independently. Dissertation topics will be supervised by an expert in the field who will guide you through the various stages of formulating, researching and writing this substantial piece of work
Entry Requirements 2027/28
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in a related discipline.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2027/28 Entry
Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
There are no Additional Costs
Scholarships and Discounts
Apply Now
Start your application
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
WHY NORTHUMBRIA
Flexible study options
Study full-time on campus in Newcastle or complete the course entirely by distance learning, with the same curriculum, supervisory support, and access to digital research resources.
A gateway to further study
Northumbria's History MA can be utilised as a step towards doctoral research, with guidance on PhD applications and funding available to students throughout the course.
Tailor your research
Choose from a range of thematic and regional option modules, then pursue a dissertation on a topic you define.
Skills for your next step
The research, analysis and communication skills you develop may enhance your prospects in areas such as teaching, museums and archives, public policy and project management.
This carousel contains 5 slides. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate.
-
Research-active scholars
Learn from historians who are actively publishing books and articles, contributing to national and international research networks, and bringing the latest scholarship into the classroom.
-
Flexible study options
Study full-time on campus in Newcastle or complete the course entirely by distance learning, with the same curriculum, supervisory support, and access to digital research resources.
-
A gateway to further study
Northumbria's History MA can be utilised as a step towards doctoral research, with guidance on PhD applications and funding available to students throughout the course.
-
Tailor your research
Choose from a range of thematic and regional option modules, then pursue a dissertation on a topic you define.
-
Skills for your next step
The research, analysis and communication skills you develop may enhance your prospects in areas such as teaching, museums and archives, public policy and project management.
1
5
slides
Career Prospects
History MA aims to equip graduates with advanced research, communication, and analytical skills that open doors across a broad range of sectors.
Graduates may aspire to careers in teaching, professional research, museums and archives, heritage, public policy, and project management. The course also provides strong preparation for doctoral study, with guidance on PhD and funding applications available throughout.
The critical thinking, media literacy, and time management competencies embedded in this course are valued across many professions, including those beyond the humanities.
Northumbria's Careers and Employment Service also offer guidance and support from the very start of your studies.
Graduates may aspire to careers in teaching, professional research, museums and archives, heritage, public policy, and project management. The course also provides strong preparation for doctoral study, with guidance on PhD and funding applications available throughout.
The critical thinking, media literacy, and time management competencies embedded in this course are valued across many professions, including those beyond the humanities.
Northumbria's Careers and Employment Service also offer guidance and support from the very start of your studies.
Student Projects
The dissertation sits at the heart of this course, giving you the opportunity to pursue an extended, independently led research project on a topic of your own choosing.
Potential dissertation topics could span areas such as early modern British politics, the history of empire and resistance, environmental history, the cultural history of war, or the history of material culture, reflecting the broad research expertise within the department. Such projects could include historiographical analyses, primary source investigations, and critical studies of digital archives and research methods.
Potential dissertation topics could span areas such as early modern British politics, the history of empire and resistance, environmental history, the cultural history of war, or the history of material culture, reflecting the broad research expertise within the department. Such projects could include historiographical analyses, primary source investigations, and critical studies of digital archives and research methods.
Facilities
Northumbria's humanities facilities support both your taught studies and independent research. For example, the Institute for the Humanities provides a dedicated resource room, specialist computing equipment, and interview rooms, alongside a Humanities Student Hub for self-study and group work. The University Library holds extensive physical and digital collections, with interactive online reading lists and access to major scholarly and primary source databases. Distance learners have full access to these digital resources through the eLearning Portal, ensuring the same quality of research support wherever you are based.
You can now experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
You can now experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
Teaching Staff
Learn from research-active historians whose expertise spans early modern and modern British, European, imperial, and global history. Staff are prolific publishers of books and journal articles, and many contribute to national and international research networks across political, cultural, social, and environmental history.
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.
Register your interest
If you'd like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University's Privacy Notice please click here
Page last reviewed: 29 October 2026
