The highly diverse MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies travels through 1,500 years of human existence to prepare you for your own research journey through history.
The MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies equips you with the skills and knowledge you will need to embark on your own doctoral research journey.
Delivered by Durham’s Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) this MA is an ideal opportunity to develop your interest in a particular historical period.
Exploring aspects of society and thinking between AD c.300-c.1800, it is suitable if your undergraduate background is in archaeology, classics, history, literature and languages, philosophy or theology.
You will study over one year full-time or two years part-time and complete two core modules on reading and writing the medieval and early modern past. You also choose from a selection of optional modules ranging from medieval Franciscan theology to sources of power in South East Asia 1400-1800. The course culminates in a dissertation on a subject of interest.
Teaching is delivered by renowned scholars who are experts in their respective fields and together comprise one of the largest gatherings of medieval and early modern scholars in the world.
From the outset, you will be integrated into the wider research community, including an opportunity to join the vibrant postgraduate student group, MEMSA. This gives you access to an active programme of events, workshops and masterclasses with visiting subject experts and industry professionals. By joining this Masters, you will experience the rich and varied research life that exists within the Institute and the associated departments of archaeology, classics, English, history, modern languages and cultures, philosophy and theology.
All the while you will have access to unrivalled resources that include rare books, records, manuscripts and artefacts as you complete your studies within the rich cultural setting of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All the MA programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities consist of three components:
a Major Research Project to the value of at least 60 credits
Core Modules to the value of 0-90 credits, depending on the programme
Elective Modules, making up the total number of credits to 180; some of these modules will be defined as Recommended Electives for particular programmes.
For students studying the MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies the InterdisciplinaryDissertation (your Major Research Project, 60 credits)) explores an area of interest in greater depth. It gives you the opportunity to practise, develop and demonstrate your research skills on a specific topic and prepare for independent academic research in the future. It also tests your ability to argue, respond and interpret, while demonstrating subject-specific knowledge and skills. You can choose to complete a dissertation in any of the following fields:
Archaeology
Classics
English Studies
History
Modern Languages and Cultures
Music
Philosophy
Theology
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
You will also be required to take the following two 30-credit core modules:
Reading the Medieval and Early Modern Past
introduces you to the different approaches to studying this period of history, and develops your research skills both for course work and for possible further study. This module also looks at specific historical texts and objects and their contemporary context in order to help develop your understanding of how such material emerged and developed in the medieval and early modern periods.
Writing the Medieval and Early Modern Past
considers a range of key themes, approaches, ideas, movements and institutions involved in the study of this period of history, including change and continuity over this time. This module will develop your research and communications skills as well as honing the skills that will help you design and complete your dissertation.
Optional modules:
Finally, you will choose 60 credits of elective modules from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities or beyond, so that your total number of credits adds up to exactly 180. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of your programme, some modules will be specifically recommended to you by your Programme Director.
Accreditation
The MA is designed as a step towards academic study in doctoral research. The interdisciplinary nature of the course and the way it is delivered will provide a highly effective foundation if you choose to follow this path.
The expertise of teaching staff, the wealth of research material and the vibrant and engaged postgraduate community all contribute to our global reputation for research excellence.
On the course, you will also develop key skills and abilities which will be of huge benefit should you decide to pursue a career outside academia. It will help to deepen your understanding of critical analysis, you will be able to make more effective decisions, solve problems and also communicate ideas and offer creative solutions.
Your personable attributes such as confidence, outlook and leadership will also be boosted, as well as your sensitivities within the workplace environment and towards colleagues.
As a member of MEMSA, you will have access to a variety of extra-curricular training opportunities including workshops and masterclasses which will integrate you into the industry and build your network.
The course is delivered through a range of lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical hands-on workshops which are taught by the relevant subject experts.
Lectures provide key information on specific subjects, while seminars are an opportunity to get involved in discussions in more depth. The workshop sessions give you an opportunity to practise your skills. Many of our seminar sessions include short student-led presentations, designed to demonstrate your learning around a topic and encourage debate within the seminar group. Each module includes around 20 hours of contact time, which is supported by a significant level of independent study.
One-to-one supervision is provided through focusing in detail on a particular aspect of medieval and early modern history, literature, society or culture in your dissertation.
Assessment
Assessment is rigorous and ongoing throughout the course and is designed to highlight your knowledge and understanding of the subject. Most of the course is assessed by essays or equivalent methods such as manuscript transcriptions. Some modules include seminar presentations which will be assessed by subject experts.
The MA dissertation is worth either one-third or half of your overall mark depending on the route you choose.
Entry requirements
A 2:1 or equivalent
A 500-word personal statement which should include the following:
An outline of your interest in an interdisciplinary MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies
What skills and knowledge you would bring to the course
What skills and knowledge you would hope to acquire
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
The MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies provides excellent grounding for progressing to study at PhD level in an area of particular interest.
By participating on the course, you will also develop skills and personal attributes that are transferable into the professional career world.
Experiencing the vibrant and supportive postgraduate community within the institute enhances social and interpersonal skills that are much sought-after by employers.
Department information
IMEMS
The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies is a renowned centre for research, spanning the late third century to the late eighteenth century. The Institute runs a specialist Masters degree in the subject.
The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) is a renowned international research centre that turns the academic spotlight on a fascinating range of subjects and themes relating to the period AD c.300-c.1800.
The IMEMS offers an MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies that is intended as preparation for future doctoral research in the subject. Teaching is interdisciplinary in nature and provided by subject specialists from departments that include Archaeology, Classics, English, History, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy and Theology.
Study activity draws on the unique archives, libraries and collections that are available in the University, the city of Durham and the internationally famous Durham Cathedral.
Thousands of rare books, manuscripts and artefacts, held in places such as the world–class Oriental Museum and the Cosin’s Library dating from the seventeenth century, are available for research purposes.
In keeping with its interdisciplinary nature, IMEMS hosts the Medieval and Early Modern Student Association which is run by postgraduates and is open to students from across the University who are studying relevant courses. Its goal is to promote the sharing of the ideas, questions, and challenges emerging from Medieval and Early Modern research.
As befits a UNESCO World Heritage site, the facilities available to IMEMS include a stunning collection of libraries and museums.
The World Heritage site itself comprises the Norman castle and later cathedral and is home to several unique collections. The University’s Palace Green Library includes medieval manuscripts and the contents of Durham Priory Library are being digitised, providing an extraordinary research opportunity.
Other specialist facilities include the Museum of Archaeology and its collection of artefacts on Durham’s medieval and early modern past, and the Oriental Museum, the only museum in the north of Britain devoted entirely to the art and archaeology from Western Asia to Japan.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Prospectus.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Scholarships.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Meet-Students.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Book-an-Open-Day.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/V100.jpg)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/VK107.jpg)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/V1KB07.jpg)