MA

Medieval Britain & Europe

You are viewing this course for September start 2025

Key Facts

Course Code V192X

  • Qualification

    MA

  • Course duration

    1 year

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The MA Medieval Britain and Europe draws on the strengths of the Department in the field of British and European history from the Norman  Conquest to the Reformation. It offers you the opportunity  to investigate medieval Britain within its wider European  context and from a variety of thematic angles including  political, cultural, economic, social and religious history. A  programme of intensive Latin and palaeography training is integral to the scheme.

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2:1 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area, or equivalent. Non-graduates will be considered individually based on relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent

Other Requirements Applicants are encouraged to submit an up-to-date CV as part of their application.

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Fees and Finance

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase. 

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Course Overview

Why study MA Medieval Britain and Europe at Aberystwyth University?

  •  Study just five minutes away from the National Library of Wales, one of five UK copyright libraries, and home to a multitude of sources for Welsh history, from the medieval period onwards, including estate, court and church records, maps, photographs, newspapers, private archives of many leading figures in Welsh history, the Welsh Political Archive and the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales. 
  • History has been taught in Aberystwyth since 1872, making our department the oldest in Wales and one of the foremost in Britain. 
  • We have strong links with the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments, the National Library of Wales, Ceredigion Archives and the Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies, all based in Aberystwyth.
  • You’ll have an opportunity to participate in the activities of the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS), a joint research partnership between Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities. 
  • You’ll enjoy a rich programme of visiting speakers, workshops and seminars.  
  • You’ll join a lively postgraduate community of fellow-medievalists. 
  • Our lecturers are research active and are recognised as leading authorities in their respective fields.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course with an institution that engages on a daily basis with history.  
  • You'll benefit from small group teaching. 

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Our graduates have expansive and varied careers in museums and archives, heritage administration, tourism, public administration, the civil service, local government, teaching, journalism, the broadcast media and publishing.

Skills

This course will empower you to:

  • Increase your critical faculties.
  • Develop study and research skills.
  • Develop strong writing and analytical skills as well as the capacity to work independently.
  • Develop your abilities in structuring and communicating complex ideas clearly, accurately, and authoritatively.
  • Interrogate historical practices at an advanced level.
  • Develop practical skills and hands-on experience in researching medieval history.
  • Develop an advanced understanding of Latin syntax, grammar and vocabulary.

Teaching & Learning

How will I learn?

The course is delivered through a combination of seminars, tutorials and workshops.

The core module, 'Research Methods and Professional Skills in History', will also require attendance at departmental research seminars, where you'll be immersed in the research culture of the Department.

Throughout the year there will be workshops to aid in researching and writing your dissertation, and during the final semester, you'll arrange a suitable level of contact time with your assigned dissertation supervisor.

What will I learn?

When studied full-time, the first two semesters consist of six 20-credit modules, including a specialist module on medieval manuscript handwriting.

Optional modules are varied and allow you to tailor the course to suit your interests.

In the final semester, you'll complete your MA dissertation, an original research project (15,000 words) undertaken under the close supervision of a specialist within the Department.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be via a combination of essays, reports, group projects, practical exercises, oral assessments and written examinations.

Successful submission of the MA dissertation in the final semester leads to the award of an MA.