MPhil in World History

The MPhil in World History at the University of Cambridge compares and connects the history of regions and empires into global histories that consider convergence, divergence and enduring historical dynamics, from c. 1500 to the late 20th century. It draws on a concentration of research in South Asian, Southeast and East Asian, Pacific, Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American histories. The MPhil in World History enables students to develop strong expertise in this rich and expanding field of historical scholarship.

The MPhil in World History combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme. The taught elements include three modules, as well as training workshops and seminars, and all students will also complete a long piece of independent research (15,000–20,000 words). Students will also take language classes, a component that is required but not examined. This may be in any language offered by the Cambridge University Language Centre and may be elementary, continuing or advanced. In this way, the MPhil in World History offers students a thorough preparation for an advanced research degree that will be highly valued in institutions across the world.

Throughout the course, students will be supervised by a dedicated member of staff, who will guide their research towards the completion of an original historical subject chosen and developed by them. In addition, students will benefit from Cambridge’s vibrant research environment; attending and participating in guest talks, workshops and other events throughout the year.

The course is designed for those who have completed degrees in which History is the main or at least a substantial component and who want to consolidate their knowledge of world history. It is particularly appropriate for those who may wish to continue on to a PhD, at Cambridge or elsewhere, but it is also well-suited for those who seek simply to explore world history at a deeper level. It is expected that this will be the normal means by which those without an appropriate Master’s degree from elsewhere will prepare for the PhD degree in World History at Cambridge.

The MPhil in World History attracts applicants from all corners of the world; graduate students from the World History Group, in turn, have taken up academic and academic-related positions in many continents.