MA Economic and Social History: The University of Manchester

Course description

The MA in Economic and Social History is a graduate-level introduction to current research-questioning in these fields. It is embedded in the disciplinary context of a large and vibrant grouping of historians, but teaches the appropriate use of economic and social theory in guiding research. The disciplinary embedding forces it to confront history in its untidy 'givenness', the theoretical training equips with the powerful effective analytical tools for investigating the history (though social-science historians also have a valuable outside reference-point for critiquing modern theory in the light of the views and experiences of that 'other country' of the past). Hopefully, this interplay between theory and history makes historical investigation come to life.

The MA is taught by a mix of research active scholars, with strengths in economics, social and cultural theory, as well as in historical methodologies, and with diverse strengths in non-British and British histories. It Is designed for students with little or no formal training in economics or the social sciences, but it is flexible enough to serve the needs of those with good theoretical background but less exposure to the history. It is recognized as a research-training degree by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and teaches skills highly applicable to the research-design and -management tasks of many modern graduate jobs, as well as to doctoral study.

Career opportunities

Apart from PhD research, the high standard of social-science and arts research training, both formal and practical (in the dissertation), opens doors to many kinds of modern public and private sector graduate employments requiring research skill, formulation of projects and policy documents, etc. Since the ESRC research-training guidelines require a common standard in all their accredited programmes, completing the MA in Economic and Social History programme will equip the student for other kinds of social-science research as well as history.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: An Upper Second class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent.

English language: Non-native speakers of English should have at least a score of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based).