HistoryMA / PGDip / PGCert

Explore a wide range of topics and approaches or specialise with one of our pathways:

• Global History
• Modern and Contemporary History
• Medieval and Early Modern History

Course structure

You can study the MA and PGDip full-time or part-time. The PGCert can only be studied full-time.   The MA runs over 12 months full-time; the PGDip runs over 8 months full-time and the PGCert runs over 4 months full-time.   

• Join one of the largest History departments in the UK and tailor your degree to your historical interest.
• Choose to study a curated pathway, explore multiple historical periods or take modules from other subject areas to enrich your understanding of history.
• Make the most of our outstanding international reputation for research by engaging with events and research seminars.
• Study in a department ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, according to Times Higher Education.

Don’t miss out on the option to take your learning from the classroom to the real world with our optional Public History placement module. Work with museums, archives or historic houses on a public history project and gain valuable industry experience. Whether you're following your passion for history to gain transferable skills or focusing on a career in the field, your future begins at Birmingham. 

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Dissertation – you'll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you. 

You can choose to study a PG Certificate (PGCert) or PG Diploma (PGDip) in History rather than a full MA. A PGCert and PGDip don't include the dissertation element. The length of your course depends on which type of qualification you choose and whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. 

The PGDip programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules – you don’t complete a dissertation.

The PGCert comprises 60 credits of taught modules.

Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you need to attend.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students taking the general history MA during their course of study (i.e. without specialist pathway) must take one of the 20 credit pathway core modules in semester 1 (lists A-C), plus 60 credits of optional modules from the generic History options (List D); 20 credits in Semester 1 and 40 credits in Semester 2.

Students choosing to specialise within a pathway must indicate this at the module choice process upon entry into the programme.

Students choosing a core pathway during the course of their study must take the appropriate 20 credit core module and choose at least 20 credits from the corresponding list of relevant pathway options (lists A-C). Any remaining credits can be taken from the list of generic History options (List D).

Students must also write their dissertation on a topic within the pathway area of specialism.

All students should balance their credits evenly in any given academic year between the two semesters where possible, unless the nature of the modules makes this impossible. Students who choose a Special Subject as an option must take TWO co-requisite Special Subject modules to the total of 40 credits (20 credits in each Semester) in the same academic year.

LIST A Modern and Contemporary History Pathway Core:

LIST B Global History Pathway Core:

LIST C Medieval and Early Modern History Pathway Core: 

List D: General History Pathway

Students on the general History MA may choose 60 credits from the following.

This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.

General History Special Subjects

(Students must take TWO co-requisite modules, 20 credits in each Semester). This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.

Students may take 20 – 40 credits of module outside the department such as a foreign language, or a relevant module from another department (such as Classics, Art History, English, etc).

You will need an Honours degree, normally in any humanities or social science discipline such as History, Politics, Cultural Studies, or Literature, and normally of an upper second-class standard. Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry, for the MA, PGDip, and PGCert.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which 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: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Our History and Heritage graduates enter many roles, including:

• Events and Exhibitions Assistant and Heritage Guide
• Project Development Researcher
• Collections Assistant

Employers our History and Heritage graduates have worked for include:

• English Heritage
• Historic England
• Cottonwood Mansion Museum

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.