Eighteenth-Century Studies

Eighteenth Century Studies is taught with the British Museum and by teachers from eight departments in the School of Arts & Humanities. Explore constructions of the Enlightenment through race, gender, class, intellectual networks and material culture. Analyse ideas, objects, texts and arts. Access to unique, diverse and rich collections. Ideal foundation for PhD study.

• New joint degree with the British Museum.
• Unrivalled access to British Museum expertise.
• Unrivalled location for access to London's cultural collections. 
• Located in the heart of London.

Student destinations Programme leader/s Awarding Institution Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent) Duration Location Year of entry 2013
Offered by Closing date Intake Fees Contact information Email Website

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 18th century. A focus on ideas of the Enlightenment and about the Enlightenment is combined with the freedom to research a wealth of 18th 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.

Core programme content

• Representing the 18th Century
• Dissertation.

Indicative non-core content
Options may include:

• The Body & Society in Early Modern Europe (History Department)
• Religion, Science & the Production of Knowledge (History Department)
• Eighteenth Century Writing Gender & Culture (English Department)
• Life Writings 1700-1850 (English Department)
• The Construction of Modern Heroism (History Department)
• Melancholia and Hypochondria in the 18th Century (German Department)
• Imagined Communities: Utopian Discourse & Political Dissent (French Department)
• Women and the Poetics of Liberty (English Department)
• Political Thought in the British Atlantic World (History Department).

Seminars; study sessions in museums and galleries; research skill workshops and visits to cultural institutions. Core and optional modules assessed by coursework, plus a dissertation.


General entry advice

Your application will be carefully read by the convenor, and second read where appropriate by a second academic. We do not interview all applicants, but you are welcome to call the programme leader to arrange a visit. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.

Please include a writing sample of your work of up to 4000 words preferably on an Eighteenth-Century Studies related topic and a personal statement that includes your reasons for applying to the course.

AHRC, Graduate School and School of Arts & Humanities studentships and bursaries, self-funded.