English Local History MSc

About the course

This two-year part-time MSc course is designed to combine a systematic training in historical research techniques with the study of a range of major local historical themes and the chance to undertake an individually-researched dissertation.

The MSc draws on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history, and profits from close links with local, social and economic historians elsewhere in the University. The course will be relevant to potential or practising teachers, archaeologists, environmental planners, archivists, librarians, museum professionals and teachers in adult education as well as to dedicated researchers pursuing the subject in its own right.

The course is designed for your needs to study part-time, including if you are in full-time employment. Students have a two hour class a week most terms and we estimate that they will normally require about 10 hours a week for private study.
At the start of the course, you will prepare for a qualifying test, which covers concepts and methods. You will also receive an introduction to research in local history.

Teaching will be organised in weekly evening classes and occasional Saturday schools held in Rewley House in Oxford. It will comprise two compulsory topics on sources, methods and foundations of English local history, and two advanced topics, which are chosen from a range of specific themes in English local history.

Assessment

Assessment of this course comprises four main elements:

• a qualifying test covering concepts and methods, and an introduction to research in local history
• two papers on sources, methods and foundations for English local history
• two advanced papers chosen from a range of specific themes in English local history
• an individually-researched dissertation of up to 15,000 words.

Graduate destinations

Around a third of MSc students go on to do DPhil research.