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MA History (Contemporary History)

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2024 entry:
UK: £10,530 full-time
International: £23,310 full-time
More detail.

Dr Frank Uekötter discusses the four years of the Trump Presidency against the background of the history of Fascism.

The period from the start of the Twentieth Century has seen dramatic change across the world. Immerse yourself in the debates about these developments, and what our recent past means for society today, with our specialist pathway in Contemporary History.

This pathway approaches contemporary history through issues and problems with vital on-going importance, including environmental politics, information technology, post-colonial migration, internationalism and empire.

It does so across the 20th century and up to the present day, without geographical limits. It therefore offers a wide range of modules on history at a variety of scales: from the individual self to the city, and from regions and oceans to nations and empires.

The pathway allows you to benefit from the expertise of a very large number of modern and contemporary historians at Birmingham. You will be able to specialise on many areas of British, American, African, South Asian, Middle East and European History.

By combining breadth with depth, it provides a framework within which you will be able to develop both your empirical and conceptual knowledge of the recent past.

 

At Birmingham, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research students also have the opportunity to learn graduate academic languages free of charge, to support your studies.

The School of History and Cultures hosts workshops and seminars throughout the year in which students are invited to come and listen to the leading experts in respective fields discussing their work. They actively encourage student engagement, which creates a lovely sense of participation and contribution.

Rose

Why study this course?

  • Research strengths – Times Higher Education ranked Department of History eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average. The Department is also home to a dedicated research centre for study in this area, the Centre for Modern and Contemporary History.
  • Excellent reputation – the University of Birmingham has been ranked as one of the world's top 100 institutions to study History in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.
  • Foundation for further research – our MA History programme will equip you with the research skills to read and assess relevant primary sources, the ability to carry out independent research and to write up your research. By the end of the programme you will have acquired the skills and the knowledge to progress to a PhD if you wish.
  • Access to academic support services – as a postgraduate student you will have access to services such as the Academic Writing Advisory Service and the Bank of Assessed Work which will aid your transition from undergraduate to postgraduate level, or back into academia after a time away. 

  • Be a part of an exciting department – you will join a lively postgraduate community with opportunities to enhance your learning through events and research seminars.

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces, to careers support and funding opportunities. Learn more about your postgraduate experience.

Modules

Core modules

You will study three core modules:

Historical Approaches

This module provides students with an advanced introduction to some of the ways in which historians have approached a range of prominent themes within the modern historical discipline, such as religion, gender, race, class, community, and conflict.  The module introduces these themes through a mixture of case studies and background reading and information, with an emphasis on historiographical development and a range of different theoretical, methodological and interdisciplinary influences, such as sociology, anthropology, the material turn, etc.  Each week students are guided in reading influential texts that relate to one of these key themes, and students then meet in small seminar groups to discuss a mixture of historiographical case studies and additional theoretical background.
Assessment: 3,000 word assignment (100%)

Research Preparation

This module is designed to deliver three complementary strands, with the ultimate aim of supporting students on the MA History to design, plan and research an ambitious dissertation topic.  The first strand is a series of lectures on key research skills in the historical discipline, ensuring that students are confident when it comes to aspects of research design such as defining a topic, reviewing secondary literature, identifying and accessing appropriate primary sources, etc.  The second strand is a series of seminars designed to support specialist sub-disciplinary skills relating to (for example) chronological period or a particular geographical area or methodological approach.  The third strand is a series of one-to-one supervisions with an academic advisor, to offer the student guidance and feedback as they devise their own unique research project, and lay the groundwork for their masters dissertation.  The module also helps students to develop important skills in presenting and articulating their research to a larger non-specialist audience.
Assessment: 2,000-word literature review (75%), 10 minute oral presentation (25%)

Critical Histories of the Present

This module offers a detailed examination of aspects of global history over the past century. It takes its cue from a growing literature that sees 'globalisation' as a key feature of the contemporary world. Globalisation is, however, approached both critically and historically. The module follows a loosely chronological structure with emphasis on key processes that have shaped, and often continue shaping, the contemporary world. Seminar topics may include those such as the rise of mass culture, mass politics, and consumerism through the early decades of the 20th century; the main strands of totalitarian ideology and liberal democracy; decolonisation and development; environmentalism, the Civil Rights movement, and various forms of activism; the rise and fall of the Cold War as a global phenomenon; the Arab Spring; Neoliberalism, and the rise of new authoritarianism in the age of Post-Truth. The module not only introduces students to key periods, processes and events of major importance to contemporary history, but does so with emphasis on conceptual and analytical approaches that go beyond any single case study. Documentary sources will be used where appropriate and full consideration will be given to historiographical debates.
Assessment: 4,000 word assessed essay

Optional modules

If you choose to study the Contemporary History pathway you must choose at least 20 credits from the Contemporary History or Special Subject lists below. 

These lists are indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.

Contemporary History 

  • Gross Indecency to Gay Marriage? Gender and Sexual Minorities 1885 to the Present
  • From the OSS to Snowden: A History of American Intelligence Agencies since 1945
  • ‘A Holiday from Reality’: A History of Drugs and Drug Use in the Modern Era
  • Britain’s Wars of Colonisation and Decolonisation
  • Conflict in the Modern Middle East
  • Indigenous and Settler Histories
  • Bread, Wine and Barricades: Freedom, Ecology and the Nature of Modern France
  • China in Revolution: China under Mao (1949-1976)
  • Gender and Sexuality in the 20th Century United States
  • Body Politics
  • History of Technology
  • Indigenous and Settler Histories
  • The Young Ones: Youth, Popular Culture, and Social Change in Twentieth Century Britain

Special Subjects

If you choose a Special Subject as an option, you must take two co-requisite modules to the total of 40 credits. Topics available in recent years have included:

  • Global Cities and Urban Lives, 1690-1914 (Masters) A
  • Global Cities and Urban Lives, 1690-1914 (Masters) B
  • Empire Comes Home: India in the Making of Britain (Masters) A
  • Empire Comes Home: India in the Making of Britain (Masters) B
  • Fighting Over Freedom: American Political Ideas from Revolution to Civil War (Masters) A
  • Fighting Over Freedom: American Political Ideas from Revolution to Civil War (Masters) B
  • The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich A
  • The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich B
  • Where there is Discord: Making Thatcher’s Britain A
  • Where there is Discord: Making Thatcher’s Britain B

Any remaining credits can be taken from the wide range of History options. It is also possible to select options offered by other departments such as African Stuides, Classics and Ancient History, Cultural Heritage, Modern Languages, Art History or English - with the approval of the Programme Director. See an indicative list of options.

Dissertation

In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 12,000-word dissertation. The dissertation is the culmination of the MA: the moment when you put into practice the skills and knowledge you have built up in the previous modules, and the moment when you take wing as an independent historian. Your dissertation must be on a topic within the pathway area of specialism.

Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024 entry are as follows:

  • UK: £10,530 full-time; £5,265 part-time
  • International: £23,310 full-time

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Fee status

Eligibility for UK or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

How To Apply

Please review our Entry Requirements before making your application.

How to Apply for a Postgraduate Degree - Taught programmes

Application deadlines

The deadline for International students (requiring a VISA) to apply is 7 May 2024. The deadline for UK students is 30 August 2024.

Making your application

This pathway is being reviewed and so applications are not currently open.

Our Standard Requirements

You will need an Honours degree in History or a cognate subject, such as Politics, International Relations, Cultural Studies, normally of an upper second-class standard. Within the upper second-class bracket we will consider all applicants, but we would encourage prospective applicants to work towards an average BA module mark (UK system) of at least 65, and an undergraduate dissertation mark of 68 or better. We will consider exceptions to the upper second-class requirement for candidates coming from non-traditional backgrounds or through non-typical academic pathways.

Personal statement: Applicants should make clear in detail in their personal statement how their track record at BA level, their experience, and their historical interests match with the MA course offering and mix of scholarship at the University of Birmingham Department of History. Which modules we offer are of interest to you, and why? Which historical topics, methodological problems and historiographical debates hold your interest, and why? What possible dissertation topics do you imagine researching and why are you drawn to them?

References: Applicants should make sure that their references are submitted promptly, and that they address the applicant's track record in detail, citing specific examples of past work, marks and reasons why they are suited to the demands of an MA course. 

International/EU students

Academic requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries - use our handy guide below to see what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements: standard language requirements apply for this course - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band. If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course - if you successfully complete the course, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without retaking a language qualification.

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band is equivalent to:

  • TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component

Learn more about international entry requirements

International Requirements


The Contemporary History pathway is taught by members of the Birmingham Centre for Modern and Contemporary History (BCMCH), which provides an intellectual forum for academic staff and postgraduates working within the field, and provides a base for research both for its members and in collaboration with other institutions.

BCMCH draws together the expertise of the School of History and Cultures, the Modern Languages Department, American and Canadian Studies and the Centre for Russian and East European Studies (CREES) meaning that you’ll be able to gain insight from a range of academics and peers from across the University. It also supports a research seminar series of invited speakers throughout the academic year as well as an annual lecture series and various informal reading groups. 

Learning and teaching takes on this course place via seminars, tutorials, reading texts on theory and methods and your own research on primary sources.

 

Teaching year

We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.

As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules across each year, followed by your dissertation.

Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.

Support with academic writing

As a postgraduate student in the College of Arts and Law, you have access to the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) which aims to help your transition from undergraduate to taught Masters level, or back into academia after time away. The service offers guidance on writing assignments and dissertations for your MA/MSc programme with individual support from an academic writing advisor via tutorials, email and the provision of online materials.

International students can access support for English Language development and skills through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA).

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated  careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
  • Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
  • Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
  • Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.

Postgraduate employability: History

Our History postgraduates develop a broad range of transferable skills that are highly valued by a range of employers. These skills include: familiarity with research methods; the ability to manage large quantities of information from diverse sources; the ability to organise information in a logical and coherent manner; the expertise to write clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines; critical and analytical ability; the capacity for argument, debate and speculation; and the ability to base conclusions on statistical research.

Over the past 5 years, 81% of History postgraduates were in work and/or further study 6 months after graduation (DLHE 2012 - 2017). Some of our History postgraduates go on to use their studies directly, for example in heritage or in museums. Others use their transferable skills in a range of occupations including finance, marketing, teaching and publishing. Employers that graduates have gone on to work for include Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence, University of Birmingham, Royal Air Force Museum and University of Oxford.

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