COURSE CURRICULUM

The Medieval Studies MA at Leeds offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to exploring the medieval world and its modern significance. Students complete 120 credits of compulsory modules, including Research Methods, which introduces the unique sources and approaches of medieval studies and involves practical workshops in the University’s Special Collections; The Language of the Past, which develops linguistic skills and the ability to engage with texts and sources in Latin, Old English, Arabic, Greek, French, or other relevant languages; and a 60-credit Research Dissertation, combining independent research with preparatory training in project planning, source identification, and research methodology. Optional modules allow students to tailor their studies to their interests and may include topics such as Global History and the Middle Ages, examining cross-cultural connections and global perspectives; Medieval Manuscripts in the Digital Age, which applies digital tools to the study of manuscripts; Medieval Bodies, exploring cultural understandings of human and animal bodies; Religious Communities and the Individual Experience of Religion; and Tournaments, which investigates the symbolism and practice of medieval contests in collaboration with the Royal Armouries Museum. Other options include Palaeography, Disability and Identity in Byzantium, and a range of specialised medieval language modules. The course equips students with advanced analytical, linguistic, and research skills while fostering engagement with diverse sources, interdisciplinary methods, and the global dimensions of the medieval world.