About this course
We're reviewing this course as part of our regular quality assurance process.
This may result in some changes to course content, delivery, or withdrawal of the course in 2024.
Develop your passion and enhance your understanding of the past with a master’s in History at the University of Southampton. You'll learn of the great variety of history, develop explanations of the patterns that shaped the world, and examine wider perspectives across the past.
This flexible MA programme will engage you with leading researchers in a variety fields, from the Ancient world to the 'war on terror'. You can choose to study history from across the world, including Britain, continental Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
You'll learn to study new themes, interrogate sources, debate interpretations and share in the fascination we have with the documented past. You'll have the chance to explore history from a wide range of perspectives including:
- ordinary life
- varying identities
- empires
- ethnicity
- class
- gender
- age
- faith
At Southampton, you can choose how to investigate the past. You'll have access to research seminars to develop your expertise in areas that interest you, and undertake research projects to further your understanding. We'll encourage you to consider different genres of history and the public communication of historical ideas, and develop your skills with our library and archive collections.
As a research-led University we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
Course lead
Your course leader is Professor Joachim Schloer. Joachim is professor for modern Jewish/non-Jewish relations and a member of the Parkes Institute at the University of Southampton.
His research interests include the cultural history and the ethnography of migration and mobility, of urban life, and the reflection of history in the individual experience.
Visit Professor Joachim Schloer's staff profile to learn more about his work.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in history or a related subject.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Pre-masters
If you don't have the qualifications or English language skills to meet the entry requirements of a master's degree at Southampton, studying one of our pre-master's programmes can help you. Learn more about what they are and which courses are currently available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.
In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. You’ll also study research skills to prepare for your dissertation.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
Critical Histories
This core module provides students with an opportunity to engage with a variety of methodologies and themes at MA level, including those they may be less familiar with, such as oral history and the history of memory, and cultural history and the history o...
MA History Dissertation
The culmination of your Masters’ degree, this module will provide you with the opportunity to convert your learning into a 12000 word dissertation on a historical research topic of your choice, subject to available supervisory expertise. Your final disser...
Public History
In this core module, students engage with public history as it is currently practised across the heritage and education sectors. The module considers the roles of museums and other heritage sites within society, and the challenges associated with producin...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Advanced Research Seminar in American History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of American history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in US history in varied forms. You will identif...
Advanced Research Seminar in Ancient History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of ancient history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in ancient history in varied forms. You will ide...
Advanced Research Seminar in Early Modern History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of early modern history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in early modern history in varied forms. Yo...
Advanced Research Seminar in Imperial and Global History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of imperial and global history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in imperial and global history in va...
Advanced Research Seminar in Medieval History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of medieval History. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in medieval history in varied forms. You will i...
Advanced Research Seminar in Modern British History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of modern British history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in modern British history in varied forms...
Advanced Research Seminar in Modern European History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of modern European history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in modern European history in varied for...
Advanced Research Seminar in the Long Eighteenth Century
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of the Long Eighteenth Century. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in the Long Eighteenth Century in va...
After the Holocaust: Jews and Others after 1945
This module examines aspects of Jewish experience in the aftermath of the Holocaust. It explores refugee experiences in the aftermath of war; it explores Jewish debates over post-Holocaust futures, in Europe, in Israel, elsewhere; it examines attempts to...
Ancient Greek Language Stage 1A
This is a beginner’s course in Ancient Greek Language with the emphasis on Classical Attic. Reading the works of ancient Greek authors in the original language facilitates a deeper understanding of some of the most influential historical sources and work...
Ancient Greek Language Stage 1B
‘Ancient Greek 1B’ is designed to build on the knowledge acquired by students who have taken ‘Ancient Greek 1A’, but may also be appropriate for those with some previous alternative experience (e.g. a GCSE). The module will improve your ability to read, c...
Jewish Life and Antisemitism
This module explores the rich variety of Jewish life and the development of Jewish experience, including Antisemitism and violence from the ancient to the contemporary world. It introduces students to ideologies and cultures of antisemitism and examines a...
Memory in National and Transnational Contexts
Whether in the form of monuments, stories or rituals a desire to remember seems to be everywhere in most if not all contemporary nation states. In some respect this has been fuelled by the continually evolving international situation, which has posed a se...
Nation, Culture, Power
This module offers an in-depth exploration of three concepts that have shaped the modern world: nation, culture, and power. Drawing on staff expertise in cultural and critical theory, the module will investigate the key questions that worldwide thinkers a...
Special Research Project
This optional module offers you the opportunity to work in small groups of up to four, supervised by member(s) of staff in the History discipline with specialist knowledge and research experience in that field, who can guide the study and help students de...
The Genocide of the European Jews, 1933-1945
This module explores the mass murder of the Jews of Europe between 1933 and 1945. At its core is an examination of the nature of National Socialism, its genocidal drive, and the stages by which its practice of antisemitic persecution evolved into a contin...
The Holocaust in Art, Film, Literature, and Music
This module examines both canonical and non-canonical representations of the Holocaust in the post-war world. It examines responses from survivor, victim and exile communities, from former perpetrator societies and from others; it explores the interplay ...
Themes in American History
This module draws upon the expertise of three US historians to explore different dimensions of the American past, from the founding of the republic forward. This year, we will be focusing on the theme: ‘The other among us: conspiracies, cults and counterr...
Themes in Early Modern History
In this module, you will explore some of the social, cultural and political forces that transformed the early modern world (c. 1450–1800). This was a period of momentous change characterised by political upheaval, religious conflict and a rapidly globalis...
Themes in Imperial History
This module will provide students with an opportunity to explore some key themes in imperial history, with a likely focus on the history and historiography of the British Empire. Topics may be drawn from any period in imperial history, from the beginnings...
Themes in Jewish History
This module offers an overview of the development of Jewish/non-Jewish relations from antiquity to the post-Holocaust era. We will explore change and continuity in the nature of responses towards Jews, and the creation of Jewish identities in relation to ...
Themes in Medieval History
This module will introduce you to themes and approaches to the study of the medieval world. You will be opening windows on to this world through a selection of medieval themes. And you will be active viewers, exploring how historians have been shaping and...
Themes in Modern British History
Historians have become interested in ‘ordinary people’ in recent years. Why? This module explores this question through looking at case-studies of women’s, men’s and children’s histories in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Britain, and at varieties of ‘o...
Themes in Modern European History
This module offers an extended exploration of the question: what is European history, and how do we go about writing it? It explores how the development of the discipline, and indeed the field, has trained us to see (and not to see) certain histories in...
Themes in the Ancient World
Ancient history covers a vast geographical and chronological span, from Ancient Egypt to Classical Greece, from Rome to Imperial China, and from the Mediterranean into Europe, Africa, and the Near East. This module allows you to explore your interest in t...
Themes in the Long Eighteenth Century
Beginning with the Restoration and ending with the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars this module will trace key themes in the development of society and culture cross the long eighteenth century. We will consider a key primary source for each topic as a ...
Transnational Movement in the Age of Globalisation
The module investigates transnational approaches to migration, global mobility and diversity. It combines theoretical approaches with empirical case studies and methodological issues.
Learning and assessment
Learning
We teach through a mixture of:
- small seminar groups
- practical exercises
- tutor-led and student-led tutorials
- study visits
- talks from visiting experts
- independent learning
Assessment
We’ll assess you through a combination of:
- essays
- seminar critique
- book review
- your dissertation
Dissertation
You’ll complete a 15,000-word dissertation to show you can build an argument based on your own original research and manage a project independently.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
A master’s degree will enable you to further develop the key skills employers seek such as:
- time, deadline and project management
- problem-solving
- teamwork, relationship-building and working independently
- cultural awareness
- using your initiative
- critical thinking and research analysis
You’ll also learn to communicate your ideas and enthusiasm to a wide range of audiences.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £24,200.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of you tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Extra costs you might have to pay
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Southampton Humanities Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship
Twenty scholarships of £5,000 are available to international students joining our postgraduate master’s courses at the School of Humanities in September 2023.
Find out more about the Southampton Humanities Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.
Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
There are different deadlines for this course. Depending on which country you permanently reside in, applications are expected to close:
- Applicants permanently resident in China: Wednesday 29 November 2023 - midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in other countries: Wednesday 29 May 2024 - midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in the UK: Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Our admissions process for this course means that we look at batches of applications together. We send offers to applicants on a continuous basis. Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to make you an offer, even if you meet the course criteria.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
