West Midlands History MA

Summary

Have you ever wondered how Birmingham came to be the city it is, or how the counties of the West Midlands developed in past centuries?  This part time programme is aimed particularly at, mature students interested in the history of the West Midlands region. It does not aim for a complete century-by-century coverage but will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge of a series of major themes. It is delivered as Saturday schools (three per term), from 10.00am to 5.30pm organised around lectures, seminars, small group workshops and day trips.

Key facts

Type of Course: Taught

Duration: 2 years part-time

Start date: September 2012

Entry requirements

Learn more about entry requirements

International students
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about international entry requirements

Standard English language requirements apply

Contact details

Dr Malcolm Dick
Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8253
Email: m.m.dick@bham.ac.uk

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

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Fees and funding

Please contact the College of Arts and Law Postgraduate Office (tel:+44 (0)121 414 3189) for further information
Learn more about fees and funding 

Scholarships and studentships
Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

Programme overview

This part-time programme is aimed particularly at mature students interested in the history of the West Midlands region.

The programme is broadly chronological and covers the history of the region from the 11th century to the end of the 20th. It does not aim for a complete century-by-century coverage but will allow you to  gain  in-depth knowledge of a series of major themes, for example: :

  • Town and country in the West Midlands c.1050–c.1300
  • Reformation, social change and the Civil War: the West Midlands in the 16th and 17th centuries
  • Enlightenment, reform and industry: the West Midlands in the 18th and 19th centuries
  • Turmoil and change: economy, society and politics in the West Midlands in the 20th century

You will also complete a 12,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Delivery

The course is delivered as Saturday schools (three per term), from 10.00am to 5.30pm, organised around lectures, seminars, small group workshops and day trips.

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Teaching and Learning

Learning and assessment

A variety of ways of learning are pursued to help students develop the knowledge and study skills needed for success.  Opportunities for individual tutorial support are provided outside of the times of the says schools.  Assessment over the two years is via six 4,000 word essays and a dissertation.  Each essay is worth 20 credits and the dissertation is worth 60 credits.

The dissertation

Students will also have the opportunity to research a topic of their own choice under the supervision of one of the members of the Centre, using the many archival resources available to the region.  The MA will provide students with the in-depth training necessary to understand and use these sources.  The result of this research will be a 12,000-word dissertation. 

Interim awards

Upon successful completion of 60 credits any student who might wish to leave the course will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, for 120 credits the students will be able to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. 

Have you ever wondered how Birmingham came to be the city it is, or how the counties of the West Midlands developed in past centuries?  This MA course is aimed at students who want to explore the history of the region in depth from the eleventh century to the twentieth.  

Students will take six taught courses (three per year).  They will also write a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choosing during year two.

Taught courses

Town and country in the West Midlands, c.1050-c.1300

This course offers an in-depth analysis of the changes that occurred in England's political, socio-economic and ecclesiastical structures between c. 1050 and c. 1300 and of how these trends directly affected the people of the West Midlands region. 

Reformation, social change and civil war: the West Midlands in the 16th and 17th centuries

This course will allow you to explore the Reformation of the sixteenth century and its impact on the counties and towns of the West Midlands.  This will be followed by the study of the English Civil War and its impact on the region. 

Transforming the region:  Economy, society and politics in the West Midlands in the 18th and 19th centuries

This module explores the history of the West Midlands in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by focussing on aspects of the economic, political, social and cultural history of industrial areas such as Birmingham, the Black Country, the Ironbridge Gorge, the Potteries and Derwent Valley, urban centres such as Lichfield, Shrewsbury and Worcester and the counties of Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Derbyshire.  

Turmoil and change: Economy, society and politics in the West Midlands in the 20th century

Some of the themes discussed during this course will be: the changes that have taken place in the socio-political configuration of the region's communities during the century; the changing composition of the regional economy; and the reasons and the impact of the changing racial mixture of the region. 

Two courses on sources and research techniques for the study of the West Midlands (including field trips) in the medieval and Early Modern period and the 18th to 20th centuries

The aim of these two courses is to provide you with the skills necessary to understand historical sources used to write the history of this region and prepare you for working on your 12,000-word dissertation.  One of these is taught each year. 

The Centre for West Midlands History

The Centre promotes research into the history of the West Midlands, the publication of books, articles and electronic media which explore the region's past and the sharing of knowledge between academics, independent scholars and heritage professionals.  Members of staff in the Centre have expertise in archaeology, history of art, social science, the history of medicine, education and heritage as well as history.

Day schools for the public, seminars, conferences, the journal Midland History and opportunities to study for research degrees (MPhils and PhDs) as well as the MA, provide historians and enthusiasts with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and exchange ideas on the history of the region.  The Centre also works with other organisations to create research projects.  There is an active Friends' organisation which provides a forum for communication for all of those with an interest in the history of the West Midlands. 

Location and resources

Birmingham's central position within the region and its status as the largest city make it an ideal place to study and research the history of the West Midlands.  The University library at Birmingham, Birmingham Central Library and the record offices and local studies libraries of the region all offer excellent resources for this programme, both in terms of books and articles on the history of the region and resources for the dissertation.