Overview
Situated at the heart of a World Heritage Site, the MA Modern History builds on Canterbury’s highly successful BA History (Hons) course. We offer a research-led and student-inspired postgraduate course aimed at developing the professional skills of students, equipping them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly global and digitalised world.
You can study aspects of modern History. Across the modules on this course, you will explore the role of social change, investigate intellectual, political and cultural history, interrogate social memory and learn about histories of emotion and sentiment. You customise your degree. You will be able to design your own individually negotiated topic as well as your own research dissertation, a signal achievement that employers will recognise. This degree offers you pathways into the cultural and heritage sectors, and you will develop your skills and knowledge through involvement in public history, digital history, and heritage at MA level.
The MA Modern History allows you to study History from the 18th century to the present day. This period saw rapid progress in globalisation, conflict and the expansion of human rights. From the brutal slave trade; growth and decline of empires; wars between Great Powers; Cold War superpower confrontation; to the struggles for national independence; and the terrorism of 9/11 you will experience the clash of ideas, cultures and politics in order to better understand how the contemporary world was made. Study the past to thrive in the future.
Why study MA Modern History at CCCU?
An MA Modern History is increasingly regarded as a valuable extension of undergraduate study in that it offers you an anticipated edge in the professional job market, not least through practice with advanced research, independent study, longform essays, report-writing and digital work based on original research, and with the critical interrogation of a wide variety of sources. This MA also enhances applications for teacher training where advanced specialist knowledge can be an asset. The MA Modern History provides routes into both PGCE History and PGCE English.
Postgraduate experience and training are also essential for you if you intend to continue your study of History at MPhil/PhD level. And if you have your sights set on industry or a professional career, this MA provides a crucial qualification to help you stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. The course team ensures that postgraduate study remains accessible, and you do not need to have completed a History BA in order to apply. You can take an MA Modern History as part of a career break or change, and this MA is also suitable for anyone wishing to return to the academic study of history after a break to pursue their passion for a historical period, to improve intellectual and communication skills, or to start a new career.
I have never had a more rewarding year in education. Choosing to study a masters in Modern History has not only built up my knowledge and skill, but my sense of who I want to be as a historian and future academic.
Holly
Entry requirements
This taught postgraduate course accepts students with a 2:2 degree average or higher in a relevant background discipline.
If English is not your first language you require an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0.
2:2
Honours Degree
Module information
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
Students will spend approximately six to eight hours per week in seminar or workshop classes, rising in some weeks to ten hours or more depending on scheduling. This Course is delivered primarily by seminar and workshop teaching. Seminars focus on sources, developments and debates in the field, while workshops focus on skills training, development, and practice. Your actual contact hours will depend on the optional modules you select.
Taught postgraduate History students give over more of their time to independent study, to reading, research, and writing. You can expect to spend up to 160 hours per module in independent study and preparation, and to complete your assessments. Some modules such as the Dissertation are based even more on a supervision and study model, with students often spending their spring and summer months on their projects.
You should expect to spend two hours in class per course, and up to another three hours per class preparing for your seminars. You will need to spend additional time preparing your assessments. Full-time students take three modules per Trimester, so each week you might expect to dedicate around thirteen hours to your in-class learning and preparation. These numbers vary considerably by module, with some modules requiring less intensive class attendance and some retaining a traditional two-hour layout. Your assessments will vary in terms of their time requirements: the Dissertation often takes many weeks of work to complete, whereas a report or presentation might be accomplished in a matter of a few days’ research and writing.
All students will be taught by full-time academic staff who are specialist authors, researchers, and teachers in their respective historical fields.
All courses are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy.
This new postgraduate course offers exciting opportunities for study across ten centuries of human history, at the heart of a world heritage site. It will give you the training to thrive in heritage, public history, PhD level study, and much more besides.
Dr David HitchcockCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
Students might be assessed via essays, annotated bibliographies, mock reports and consultancy papers, presentations, podcasts or other digital outputs, independent research projects, and they will be assessed through a 60-credit Dissertation project. This Course does not set exams.
Your future career
Completing a History course to postgraduate level is a welcome qualification in civil service, teaching, the arts and culture industries, heritage, business consulting, marketing, and insights analytics.
The course team are enthusiastic about their subjects and that is shown in the lectures and seminars. Seminar discussions were vital in expanding knowledge and creating a great dynamic between staff and students. Independent study time allows you to work on areas that spark interest.
Angel
Fees
Government loans are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.
The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 456.
Tuition fees for this course
| UK | Overseas | |
| Full-time | £9,545 | £15,500 |
20% Alumni Discount
We offer alumni discounts on CCCU Postgraduate Taught, PGCE Primary and Secondary, and Master's by Research courses for eligible students.
Find out if you're eligible for the discount.
Important Information on Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. For further information read the Tuition fee statements and continuing fee information.
Postgraduate research opportunities
We also offer postgraduate research opportunities in most subject areas as long as appropriate supervision is available. Our team in the Graduate College will be able to help you explore your options.
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Postgraduate student links
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