Eighteenth-Century Studies

Provides teaching and research training in a wide variety of disciplines relating to the study of the 18th century. As the programme will be offered jointly with the British Museum special emphasis will be placed on relevant collections held by that institution. Includes opportunities for training in any of the basic technical skills necessary for those who wish to go on to study for a PhD in 18th-century subjects.

The MA in Eighteenth-Century Studies is offered under the joint auspices of King’s and the British Museum. Drawing on the expertise of scholars from eight Departments in the School of Humanities at King’s, and senior staff at the British Museum, the MA offers exciting opportunities to explore 18th-century textual, material and visual cultures.

The MA consists of a core module, a dissertation and (normally) four modules chosen from a wide range of options, including ones taught by the Departments of English, History, Comparative Literature, French, German, Music, American Studies and Philosophy. The core module is taught in part by experts from the British Museum, with special reference to the Enlightenment Gallery and its history. Students will also be able to engage with the unique, diverse and rich collections of cultural institutions in central London, all close to King’s, including the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Society, the Foundling Museum, and Sir John Soane’s Museum.

The core module explores constructions of Enlightenment, then and now, through frameworks such as race, gender, class, the body and intellectual networks; it invites students to analyse ideas, objects, texts and arts of the eighteenth century. A focus on ideas of the Enlightenment and about the Enlightenment is combined with the freedom to research a wealth of eighteenth-century materials under the guidance of world-leading curators and experts.

We particularly welcome applicants who may continue to a PhD, and those looking to deepen their understanding of the 18th century through creative interdisciplinarity.