MA Medieval History

The MA in Medieval History at Birkbeck University of London offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities and diversity of medieval Europe. Students will gain a deep understanding of the political, social, cultural, and economic developments that shaped this pivotal period in history. The programme is designed for students who are passionate about medieval history and wish to specialize in this field, as well as those who want to pursue careers in fields such as museum curation, historical preservation, or academic research.

Additional Information

The programme consists of a range of modules that cover topics such as the Crusades, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War. Students will also have the opportunity to explore specialized topics such as medieval warfare, literature, art, and religion. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops, and students will be expected to produce a dissertation or research project in their final year.

Unlocking the Secrets of Medieval Europe at Birkbeck University of London

Birkbeck University of London is an ideal choice for those interested in medieval history due to its excellent reputation for historical scholarship. The university has a long tradition of teaching and research in this field, with a particularly strong focus on the social and cultural history of medieval Europe. Birkbeck's location in central London also provides students with access to a wealth of historical resources and institutions, including the British Library, the National Archives, and the British Museum.

This program is unique in its emphasis on writing histories of the middle ages that cross disciplinary boundaries - including archaeology, history, literature, art history, and musicology - and in equipping its students with skills to analyze a vast range of sources, including castles, cathedrals and caravan inns, coins, pottery, clocks, bells, and burial sites, alongside chronicles, parish records, illuminated manuscripts, maps, altarpieces, and inscriptions. As a Medieval History MA student, you will also have the option to take modules organized by colleagues in the History of Art, English, and other institutions within the University of London, to create a course tailored to your interests. In the Department of History, Classics, and Archaeology at Birkbeck, you will encounter dynamic researchers who are transforming their fields. Dr Rebecca Darleys work on coin circulation in the regions surrounding the western Indian Ocean and Byzantine Empire is driving new understandings of early medieval economies, political, social, and cultural change and exchange. Dr. Kate Franklins path-breaking fieldwork in the Caucasus is rewriting the history of the Silk Road through charting the local experiences of this global trade route. Dr. Matthew Champions research has profoundly shifted understandings of how time was perceived and experienced in the late middle ages. Professor Vanessa Hardings work on death and burial in medieval cities, including London and Paris, and Professor John Hendersons studies of Renaissance health and medicine, have had a lasting impact on the field, making our Department one of the worlds premier destinations for MA students seeking to understand the complex, challenging and confronting a history of the medieval world.

We offer a one-year Graduate Certificate in History, which can be used as a conversion course if you want to study history at the postgraduate level but have a degree in a significantly different discipline.