History (MSt/MPhil/MSc): University of Oxford

History (MSt/MPhil/MSc)

‘History’ at Oxford encompasses the history of the wider European and Mediterranean world since circa 300 AD, and of most of the rest of the world from the early modern period.

The Master’s programmes offered by the History Faculty provide an entry route into Oxford research degrees, but may also function as free-standing programmes of study. They provide a grounding in research methods in some given field of historical knowledge. Taught programmes last for 9, 11 and 12 months (for MSts, MScs) and 21 months (for MPhils). Students completing the substantial dissertation required for an MPhil may develop this into a DPhil thesis by extending their primary research base in an additional one or two years.

Master of Studies in Medieval History

This programme provides the normal entry route to research degrees for all medieval historians not already holding relevant Master’s degrees, or seeking qualification through a specialist programme such as the MSt ior MPhiln Late Antique and Byzantine Studies. It balances taught classes, language training and independent research. Oxford’s strength in medieval history means that almost any area of medieval European history can be studied. Language training is available in Latin, most modern languages, medieval languages (including Celtic, Romance and Germanic languages), and Greek.

The taught classes consist of a core course in the first term focusing on historical methods, and a choice of optional subjects in the second term, with a chronological spread across the Middle Ages. Candidates will also work towards a dissertation of up to 15,000 words which is to be submitted in August.

• Length of programme: 11 months

MSt in History

This Master’s programme meets the needs of students seeking the experience of graduate study and research in post-medieval history, including those wishing to prepare themselves for doctoral work. Applicants may opt for one of three streams: these focus on either the post-1500 history of Britain and Europe, or the history of the United States of America, or global history (students may focus on commonwealth and imperial, South Asian, or East Asian history). In each stream, research training is combined with broad conceptual approaches that encourage students to learn from the recent historiographies of different periods and areas and with focused studies of periods or themes. This class work parallels supervised pursuit of a research project. Candidates will work towards a dissertation of up to 15,000 words which is to be submitted for examination in late May.

• Length of programme: Nine months

MPhil in Modern European History

Initial theoretical and methodological training similar to that provided for the MSt in History stream on post-1500 history of Britain and Europe is enhanced for this degree by a class on the writing of history. In addition students expand their contextual knowledge and understanding by choosing from a menu of thematic options. Summer vacation and second Michaelmas Term are set aside for individual research which will feed into work towards the completion of a substantial dissertation of up to 30,000 words which in many cases may form the basis of a doctoral project. The writing-up of the dissertation during the second half of the second year is supported by a master class in which students have the opportunity to address wider historiographical, theoretical and methodological issues through the medium of their own research.

• Length of programme: 21 months

MPhil in Economic and Social History

This degree programme is designed both to educate historians in the methods of social science research, and to expose students with social science backgrounds to the challenges of historical enquiry. It offers, in addition to economic and social history in the strict sense, a choice of papers covering the history of science and technology, the social history of medicine and historical demography. They will be examined in four specialist papers, which may comprise either four Advanced Papers focusing on particular periods and topics, or two or three Advanced Papers, plus up to two papers in a related discipline or skill (such as Economics or Sociology). In parallel they will work towards the completion of a substantial dissertation of up to 30,000 words which in many cases may form the basis of a doctoral project.

• Length of programme: 21 months

MSc in Economic and Social History

This degree programme is a slimmer version of the parent MPhil, and provides the usual entry route into research for candidates who seek funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the field of Economic and Social History. They are examined on two specialist papers, either two Advanced Papers focusing on particular periods and topics, or one Advanced Paper and one paper in a related discipline or skill (such as Economics or Sociology). Candidates will also work towards a dissertation of up to 15,000 words which is to be submitted in September.

• Length of programme: 12 months

MPhil in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology

This degree programme is designed to enhance history students’ knowledge and understanding of the history of science and medicine, and to enhance the historical knowledge and understanding of students with mainly science backgrounds. It shares many resources with its sister programmes in economic and social history. It provides in-depth training in the history of science and technology or the social history of medicine. Students will be examined in four papers, which may comprise either four Advanced Papers focusing on particular periods and topics, or three Advanced Papers, and one paper in a related discipline or skill (such as Comparative Social Policy). In parallel they will work towards the completion of a substantial dissertation of up to 30,000 words which in many cases may form the basis of a doctoral project.

• Length of programme: 21 months

MSc in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology

This degree programme is a slimmer version of the parent MPhil, and provides the usual entry route into research for candidates who seek funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the interdisciplinary field of Science, Technology and Innovation; candidates specialising in the history of medicine are also eligible for Wellcome Trust funding. They are examined on two specialist papers, either two Advanced Papers focusing on particular periods and topics, or one Advanced Paper and one paper in a related discipline or skill (such as Comparative Social Policy). Candidates will also work towards a dissertation of up to 15,000 words which is to be submitted in September.

• Length of programme: 12 months

MSt in History of Art and Visual Culture

This programme is run within the History Faculty by the Department of the History of Art, and aims to equip students with understanding of a range of methodologies in the history of art, while expanding their knowledge in specific areas. Combining methodological depth with access to magnificent primary sources, it welcomes students with a range of previous backgrounds in the study of history, history of art and other disciplines. Over the first two terms, students take a course in the historiography and methods of art history; in parallel, they choose a second course from among a number of options for in-depth familiarisation with a specialist area. Throughout the year students will work towards a dissertation project of up to 15,000 words which they will write up and finalise in Trinity Term.

• Length of programme: 9 months

MPhil in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies

The structured teaching for the programme provides a multi-purpose introduction to the Roman world in Late Antiquity, to Byzantium, and to neighbouring peoples and cultures. Although the two components (Late Antiquity and Byzantium) are conjoined, graduate students are expected to concentrate on one or other of the fields.
There are two alternative pathways into each of the fields:

• Intensive training in one of the following ancient and medieval languages, with special reference to a selection of prescribed texts (Greek, Latin, Slavonic, Armenian, Syriac, Coptic, Arabic) and a Special Subject paper (usually a relevant Literature paper) in the second year or:
• Instruction in one or two specialist Auxiliary Disciplines (papyrology, epigraphy, palaeography, numismatics, sigillography, or artefact studies) and study of one Special Subject each year in their preferred subject area (History, Art and Archaeology, Literature, or Religion).

All those taking the course (on both pathways) are required to undertake a core programme of directed study on History, Art and Archaeology, either in the Late Antique or the Byzantine field. In parallel they will work towards the completion of a substantial dissertation of up to 30,000 words which in many cases may form the basis of a doctoral project.

• Length of programme: 21 months

MSt in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies

The structured teaching for the programme provides a multi-purpose introduction to the Roman world in Late Antiquity, to Byzantium, and to neighbouring peoples and cultures. It allows for the same two alternative pathways into each of the fields as the parent MPhil. Candidates who intend to continue into doctoral research, may wish to make use of the assessment option of substituting a 10,000-word dissertation for the two Special Subject essays; this provision allows students to test and demonstrate their aptitude for research.

• Length of programme: 9 months

MSt in Medieval Studies

This interdisciplinary programme can be taken either as a free-standing degree or as the first step towards a research degree in one of the participating disciplines. The degree provides a generic introduction to medieval studies, allowing candidates from differing backgrounds to broaden their acquaintance with medieval topics and issues as well as ensuring some in-depth exposure to specialist areas of research in the field. It is aimed explicitly at students who wish to follow classes in more than one discipline, and who are keen to extend the range of their study and research skills.

• Length of programme: 9 months

Research Programmes

• DPhil
• MLitt

Entry Requirements

• Research programmes: Postgraduate Master’s degree or its equivalent
• Taught programmes: An upper second-class undergraduate degree or its equivalent, in a subject or subjects with substantial historical or other content relevant to the intended programme of study. In higher education sectors outside the UK this entails at least a four-year full-time programme of study

English Language Requirements

• Research degrees: Higher level
• Taught degrees: Higher level

Contact Graduate Admissions Office

• Postal address:
        The Graduate Admissions Office
        PO Box 738
        University of Oxford
        Wellington Square
        Oxford, OX1 9FB
• Tel: +44 (0)1865 270059
• Fax: +44 (0)1865 270049
• Email: graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk