The highly diverse MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies travels through 1,500 years of human existence to prepare you for your own research journey through history.
The MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies equips you with the skills and knowledge you will need to embark on your own doctoral research journey.
Delivered by Durham’s Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) this MA is an ideal opportunity to develop your interest in a particular historical period.
Exploring aspects of society and thinking between AD c.300-c.1800, it is suitable if your undergraduate background is in archaeology, classics, history, literature and languages, philosophy or theology.
You will study over one year full-time or two years part-time and complete one core module on understanding the medieval and early modern past. You also choose from a selection of optional modules covering a broad range of topics from across the Arts & Humanities Faculty. The course culminates in a dissertation on a subject of interest.
Teaching is delivered by renowned scholars who are experts in their respective fields and together comprise one of the largest gatherings of medieval and early modern scholars in the world.
From the outset, you will be integrated into the wider research community, including an opportunity to join the vibrant postgraduate student group, MEMSA. This gives you access to an active programme of events, workshops and masterclasses with visiting subject experts and industry professionals. By joining this Masters, you will experience the rich and varied research life that exists within the Institute and the associated departments of archaeology, classics, English, history, modern languages and cultures, philosophy and theology.
All the while you will have access to unrivalled resources that include rare books, records, manuscripts and artefacts as you complete your studies within the rich cultural setting of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All the MA programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities consist of three components:
a Major Research Project to the value of at least 60 credits
Core Modules to the value of 0-90 credits, depending on the programme
Elective Modules, making up the total number of credits to 180; some of these modules will be defined as Recommended Electives for particular programmes.
For students studying the MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies the InterdisciplinaryDissertation (your Major Research Project, 60 credits)) explores an area of interest in greater depth. It gives you the opportunity to practise, develop and demonstrate your research skills on a specific topic and prepare for independent academic research in the future. It also tests your ability to argue, respond and interpret, while demonstrating subject-specific knowledge and skills. You can choose to complete a dissertation in any of the following fields:
Archaeology
Classics
English Studies
History
Modern Languages and Cultures
Music
Philosophy
Theology
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
You will also be required to take the following 30-credit core module:
Understanding the Medieval and Early Modern Past
This module focuses on key methods and approaches which are relevant to the study of the medieval and early modern periods, and which can be best understood by close study of change and continuity over a long period of time. These disciplinary, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approaches will allow students to develop their skills in bringing together different kinds of evidence for the study of the past.
Optional modules:
Finally, you will choose 90 credits of elective modules from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities or beyond, so that your total number of credits adds up to exactly 180. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of your programme, some modules will be specifically recommended to you by your Programme Director.
The course is delivered through a range of lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical hands-on workshops which are taught by the relevant subject experts.
Lectures provide key information on specific subjects, while seminars are an opportunity to get involved in discussions in more depth. The workshop sessions give you an opportunity to practise your skills. Many of our seminar sessions include short student-led presentations, designed to demonstrate your learning around a topic and encourage debate within the seminar group. Each module includes around 20 hours of contact time, which is supported by a significant level of independent study.
One-to-one supervision is provided through focusing in detail on a particular aspect of medieval and early modern history, literature, society or culture in your dissertation.
Assessment
Assessment is rigorous and ongoing throughout the course and is designed to highlight your knowledge and understanding of the subject. Most of the course is assessed by essays or equivalent methods such as manuscript transcriptions. Some modules include seminar presentations which will be assessed by subject experts.
The MA dissertation is worth either one-third or half of your overall mark depending on the route you choose.
Entry requirements
At least a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline
A 500-word personal statement which should include the following:
An outline of your interest in an interdisciplinary MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies
What skills and knowledge you would bring to the course
What skills and knowledge you would hope to acquire
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
The MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies provides excellent grounding for progressing to study at PhD level in an area of particular interest.
By participating on the course, you will also develop skills and personal attributes that are transferable into the professional career world.
Experiencing the vibrant and supportive postgraduate community within the institute enhances social and interpersonal skills that are much sought-after by employers.
Department information
IMEMS
The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies is a renowned centre for research, spanning the late third century to the late eighteenth century. The Institute runs a specialist Masters degree in the subject.
The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) is a renowned international research centre that turns the academic spotlight on a fascinating range of subjects and themes relating to the period AD c.300-c.1800.
The IMEMS offers an MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies that is intended as preparation for future doctoral research in the subject. Teaching is interdisciplinary in nature and provided by subject specialists from departments that include Archaeology, Classics, English, History, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy and Theology.
Study activity draws on the unique archives, libraries and collections that are available in the University, the city of Durham and the internationally famous Durham Cathedral.
Thousands of rare books, manuscripts and artefacts, held in places such as the world–class Oriental Museum and the Cosin’s Library dating from the seventeenth century, are available for research purposes.
In keeping with its interdisciplinary nature, IMEMS hosts the Medieval and Early Modern Student Association which is run by postgraduates and is open to students from across the University who are studying relevant courses. Its goal is to promote the sharing of the ideas, questions, and challenges emerging from Medieval and Early Modern research.
Facilities
The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies is located close to Durham Cathedral and Castle, in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Prospectus.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Scholarships.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Meet-Students.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Book-an-Open-Day.png)
