MA
History
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Why study MA History at Goldsmiths
The MA History is innovative, creative, free-thinking, stimulating, diverse and challenging – everything that is distinctive about history at Goldsmiths.
- MA History is thematic and interdisciplinary. It has a focus on historical theory and methods, and European modern and early modern history – including non-traditional military history, queer history and Black British History.
- You will develop specific subject interests through a range of optional modules and the dissertation, in which you'll undertake independent research on a theme of personal interest. You will have the opportunity to organise and present your work at an internal departmental postgraduate conference alongside students from other MA programmes.
- You will have the opportunity to study module options offered by other institutions that are part of the University of London.
- Your learning will be supported by peers and one-to-one sessions with tutors and supervisors.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr George Bodie.
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Fees
Home - full-time: £9150
Home - part-time: £4575
International - full-time: £20000
Department
What you'll study
Compulsory modules
You take the following two compulsory modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Explorations and Debates in History | 30 credits |
| Research Skills | 30 credits |
Option modules
You also take two thematic option modules. You could:
- Choose both options from those offered by the Department of History
- Choose one departmental option and another from a different Goldsmiths department
- Choose one departmental option and another from the list of 30+ options available each year in other History departments that participate in the University of London MA Intercollegiate Sharing Scheme
Dissertation
You will begin work on your dissertation in the second term. In the third term, you will participate in the dissertation conference and will then complete your work over the summer.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 60 credits |
Research skills
The Research Skills module aims to develop your understanding of and practical experience in the range and use of source material and appropriate research methods. Textual, visual, material and oral sources will be critically addressed through classroom discussion and field visits where you can hear more from specialists in these fields.
A further, and important, objective of this module is to prepare you for your dissertation.
Careers
Students who complete MA History are successful in all types of careers that are available to humanities students, ranging from the media to the law to the public sector.
Graduate students from the department have gone on to pursue doctoral research and undertake careers in:
- Museums and galleries
- Archives
- Journalism
- Charities
- Arts administration
- Local government and teaching
Studying in London provides access to a wide range of research institutions and facilities that are on offer.
Skills
The MA History develops a range of transferable skills that are relevant to a range of careers and areas of employment. These include:
- Advanced research and analytical expertise
- Increased independence of thought
- The ability to evaluate and communicate, in written and oral form, complex information and ideas
- Project management
- Teamwork and workshop organisation
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £9150
- Home - part-time: £4575
- International - full-time: £20000
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a humanities or social science subject.
You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate study.
How to apply
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
To complete your application, you will need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement
- A 1,000-word essay – please write a short essay identifying the significance of any single primary source related to your own research interests for your proposed programme of study at Goldsmiths. In addition to the primary source, you must use at least one secondary source to support your analysis. Please use either Chicago or MHRA citation style.
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
Initial deadline: 31 March
Applications received after this date will be considered up to 31 July.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.
Further guidance
Read our guide to applying for a postgraduate degree at Goldsmiths.
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