MA West Midlands Historystudent, Debbie Chawner, tells us more about her experience studying at the University of Birmingham.
Why did you choose to study MA West Midlands History at the University of Birmingham?
“As my passion is industrial history, the MA West Midlands History offered me the opportunity to learn about and research into the development of the West Midlands as an industrial powerhouse. The regional concentration allows in-depth analyses, providing invaluable insights that are typically overlooked when studying at a national level.”
What has been the highlight of your course?
“The highlight of the course has been studying the evolution of Birmingham from a small market town in the twelfth century to the UK’s second city, and its progression from a primarily industrial centre to a thriving twenty-first century commercial and academic city: the visionary contributions of the Lunar Society epitomise the importance of the region to the industrial revolution, and beyond.”
What have you learnt from your programme?
“The course has opened my eyes to the crucial role of local history as a fundamental building block of national history, and the depth of available sources that present insights into facets of history, particularly social and economic, largely ignored in traditional courses. The course provides the skills to evaluate the nuances of available evidence, and also what is omitted, whether intentionally or not, and therefore which areas would benefit from further research.”
What is life like as a part-time student at the University of Birmingham?
“The Saturday lecture days were really enjoyable, providing an opportunity to get to know fellow students as well as staff. Lecture materials are posted online, and for assignments, staff are easily contactable for assistance, responding by email, telephone or with one-to-one meetings. Booklists are comprehensive, and assignment titles sufficiently varied to enable all students to find a subject into which they can become happily immersed.”
Find out more about our MA West Midlands History programme over on our course pages.