COURSE CURRICULUM

The MRes History course provides students with an opportunity to develop advanced skills in historical research and critical analysis. In the first module, Issues in Modern History, students explore key debates, events, and trends that have shaped the modern world, gaining a strong contextual understanding of historical developments. The Sources and Methods in Historical Research module equips students with the practical and theoretical tools needed to critically examine primary and secondary sources, develop rigorous research methodologies, and engage with historiographical debates. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to hone their analytical, writing, and communication skills, learning to construct well-supported historical arguments. The History Dissertation forms the culmination of the course, offering students the chance to undertake an independent research project on a topic of their choosing. This involves formulating research questions, conducting in-depth source analysis, and presenting findings in a coherent, scholarly format. By combining structured learning with independent research, the course prepares students for advanced academic study, including doctoral research, or for careers where historical knowledge, critical thinking, and research expertise are highly valued, such as in education, heritage, public policy, and cultural institutions. Graduates emerge with a strong foundation in historical inquiry, research methods, and the ability to produce original, high-quality scholarship.