MA

Modern History

You are viewing this course for September start 2025

Key Facts

Course Code V140

  • Qualification

    MA

  • Course duration

    1 year

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The MA Modern History at Aberystwyth University offers you the opportunity to study modern British, continental European, American and/or world history from the early 19th century to the present with a team of leading specialists in their fields.

The course embraces a range of perspectives including political, diplomatic, social, cultural and media history, and also provides you with intensive training in research skills and methods for modern history, including the opportunity to develop or enhance your knowledge of a European language.

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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Course Overview

Why study MA Modern History 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.
  • 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. 
  • Our lecturers are active researchers and are recognised as leading authorities in their respective fields.
  • You'll benefit from small group teaching.
  • You’ll enjoy a rich programme of visiting speakers, workshops and seminars.
  • You’ll engage with a variety of paradigms, perspectives, methodologies, sources and interdisciplinary approaches to history.
  • You’ll further your own research interests in the field of modern history (18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including the contemporary period) aided by the longstanding expertise of the Department of History and Welsh History.

About this course

Duration:

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Contact Time:

Approximately 10 hours a week in the first two semesters, then mutually agreed contact time with assigned your supervisor.

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.

Modules September start - 2026

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.
  • Develop your subject-specific knowledge and experience.
  • Sustain a self-initiated programme of work.

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.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.