COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Medieval History is a one-year full-time program designed to provide students with the essential skills and expertise to carry out independent historical research, particularly through close engagement with medieval primary sources. Across two semesters, students receive intensive training in medieval Latin and palaeography, gaining the ability to read and interpret original medieval texts and manuscripts. The core of the course is the module “England and the Continent in the Middle Ages,” which spans the entire academic year and is taught through weekly seminars by a team of faculty members with diverse specialisms. This module explores a broad range of themes including historical writing, saints’ lives, canon law, monasticism, urban and rural communities, and medieval archives, offering students exposure to the latest scholarly research. Alongside this, students take modules in Medieval Latin and Medieval Palaeography, focusing on both language proficiency and the history of script and the medieval book. As the course progresses, students begin developing an original research project, culminating in a 14,000–16,000 word dissertation submitted at the end of the year. Supervised by one or more academic staff members, the dissertation provides an opportunity for students to apply their training and contribute original scholarship to the field. Many students have used this project as the foundation for published work. The program combines rigorous academic training with flexible, research-led inquiry, making it ideal preparation for doctoral study or careers involving historical analysis, archives, or cultural heritage.