History MRes

The MRes History is a taught postgraduate research course which sits in between our MA provision and PhD research degrees. It equips you with the advanced historical research skills and conceptual framework needed to complete an individual, large-scale research project. The programme centres on the research and writing of a 30,000-word dissertation which allows you to demonstrate the advanced historical research skills learned in the two compulsory modules.

The compulsory modules extend your analytical skills and project management skills through, first, the planning and writing of a long literature review which advances your critical knowledge of your chosen field of research; and second, the development of a detailed research proposal. You will be taught practical historical skills and techniques, including locating and retrieving historical material, critiquing primary and secondary sources, and examining and organising historical information. Both modules are taught by experienced, research-active academics using a wide-range of methodological and theoretical approaches. You will work with an internationally renowned specialist supervisor in your chosen field of research and will be invited to events organised by and for our vibrant MPhil/PhD community thus broadening your range of academic and intellectual contacts.

This course is ideal for self-motivated and committed students who already have an MA in a humanities subject, and wish to research and write on a defined historical topic from pre-history to contemporary history. Students who take this course often do so because they wish to do independent, professional research or in preparation for research at the PhD level.

TEACHING

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates can pursue careers in research and archiving, education, the heritage industry, publication and the media, the charity sector and journalism. Possible professions include historian, higher education lecturer, or archivist. This degree provides a range of transferable skills, which may be useful in becoming a journalist, heritage manager, politician’s assistant, academic librarian, or museum/gallery curator.