History

The MRes is an advanced historical research programme, and students specialize in ancient, medieval, early modern or modern history. Students receive training in historiographical and technical skills necessary for doctoral study and develop their knowledge of the period they choose to focus on. Leads to further research or careers in education, journalism, finance, politics and cultural sectors.

• One of the best history departments in the world, ranked 2nd in the UK by The Sunday Times newspaper (2011).
• Excellent graduate prospects, amongst the top five in the country (Times Good University Guide, 2010).
• Ideal preparation for doctoral study, with advanced training in research skills combined with an extended dissertation.
• Specialise in Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern or Modern History.
• The central London location offers students unrivalled access to world-class museums, collections, archives and libraries as well as easy access to resources in Europe.
• Vibrant research culture, including seminars and conferences at which students are encouraged to participate and give papers.

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Both to provide training in the historiographical and technical skills necessary for further study, and also to deepen your knowledge of the period studied. Suitable both for potential academics and for personal interest for those with a clear research focus.

The MRes History programme provides students with the opportunity to engage in advanced historical research and appropriate research training tailored to students’ particular research interests. At its heart is the 30,000 word dissertation, delivered through a series of intensive one-to-one supervisions with tutors expert in the students’ fields of research. Through its taught training modules, the programme offers students the chance to engage at an advanced level with disciplinary and methodological debates, as well as conduct training work preliminary to writing the dissertation. These modules, combined with the dissertation, provide students with the ability to conduct large-scale independent research projects.

Pathways
Students on the MRes History follow one of four pathways, best suited to their research interests:

• Ancient History – this pathway draws on the great strength of ancient history research in the University of London, which has the largest number of ancient historians in post anywhere in the world. The compulsory Sources & Methods in Ancient History is an intercollegiate module, involving most of the ancient historians in London, who take seminar sessions on their own specialist areas. Students are also required to study Greek and/or Latin for Research, Epigraphy or Papyrology.

• Medieval History – this pathway builds on the popular MA in Medieval History at King’s, which has an outstanding track record for training medievalists for doctoral research. Students take the compulsory module Materials and Methods, which introduces methodological problems that medieval historians confront when handling source materials and when engaging with historical methods or schools of thought, as well as compulsory training in Palaeography and Latin for Graduates.

• Early Modern History – this pathway enables each student to put together a tailor-made programme best suited to his or her research interests, providing an excellent basis for the research dissertation. Students choose between two core modules that focus on historiography (Approaches to Early Modern History) or practical skills (Advanced Skills for Historians). Optional modules cover topics including the history of religion, power, ritual, bodies, science, cities, knowledge, images and objects.

• Modern History – students focus either on British and European history since the French Revolution, or on the history of global interaction since the 16th century. All students examine the emergence of national, imperial and post-colonial societies and cultures; and consider the relationship between national and post-national polities and history-writing. Through the optional Guided Reading module students can do intensive critical work on themes and topics related to their research interests. Students are also permitted to choose from a very wide range of taught optional modules.

PhD preparation
The MRes programme is excellent preparation for further doctoral study, equipping students with the necessary skills and experience to carry out substantial independent and original research.

Study in London
London not only offers a vast range of resources but also boasts a strong graduate community, where students can follow up a range of interests towards further research. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the seminars at the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), many of which are convened by members of the Department.

Core programme content
Compulsory and optional modules by pathway:

Ancient History
Compulsory modules:

• Dissertation of 30,000 words
• Research Methods in Ancient History.

Optional modules:

• Greek or Latin for Research
• Greek or Latin Epigraphy
• Greek Papyrology
• Greek or Latin Palaeography.

Medieval History
Compulsory modules:

• Dissertation of 30,000 words
• Materials & Methods
• Palaeography
• Latin for Graduates.

Early Modern History
Compulsory modules:

• Dissertation of 30,000 words.

Typical optional modules:

• Approaches to Early Modern History
• Advanced Skills for Historians
• Latin for Graduates
• A modern language
• Paris & Amsterdam in the 17th century
• Political Thought in the British Atlantic World
• Body & Society in Early Modern Europe
• Religion, Science & the Production of Knowledge in Early Modern Europe
• People, Portraits & Things, 1660-1800
• Guided Reading.

Modern History 
Compulsory modules:

• Dissertation of 30,000 words.

Typical optional modules:

• Transnational History
• Historical Methods
• Advanced Skills for Historians
• Guided Reading
• A modern language
• Rethinking the Age of Reform in Britain, 1780-1850
• Patriotism in British Politics, C. 1870-1918
• Revolutions & Constitutions in Europe c.1790-1870
• The Construction of Modern Heroism, 1725-1930
• Empire, Nation & Modernity in Eastern Europe, 1848-1914
• The Making of Muslims in Europe: Empire, Immigration, Citizenship
• Medicine & Confinement in Modern Societies
• Spiritual Nation: secularization, multiculturalism & Christianity in Britain, 1945-present
• Empire, Nation & Modernity in Eastern Europe, 1914-1948
• Transition to Colonialism in India
• Britain & Decolonisation
• French Empires from the 16th to the 20th Century
• Narrating India's Nations
• The British Empire
• The Political Economy of Empires, 1500 to Present
• British Settler Societies: Colonies, Dominions & Nations Since 1800
• Twentieth Century Australia: War & Society.

Indicative non-core content
 

Full-time study: 2-4 hours of taught classes per week. Part-time study: 2 hours of taught classes per week. The MRes History modules are assesed by written coursework and/or take-home exam. The 30,000 word dissertation enables students to research a topic of their choice, working one-to-one with an academic supervisor.


General entry advice

We interview all applicants, either in person or over the phone if they are normally resident overseas. You are required to submit a research proposal of 300-700 words as part of your application. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks although this may take longer in February, March and over holiday periods. You will receive notification when your application has been passed to the admissions tutor for assessment.

As well as your personal statement, please also supply a 300-700 word research proposal. Your research proposal should describe the project you wish to undertake for your MRes dissertation.

Peltz Scholarships

Two scholarships will be offered to the strongest candidates applying to take one of the Masters programmes offered by the History Department on a full-time basis, and without any other scholarship funding. These awards will be available on academic achievement and promise, and are available to UK, EU and overseas students. Each scholarship is worth £5,000. No additional application is necessary: all MA applications submitted by 1 June will be considered. Successful candidates will be notified as soon as possible after 15 June.

Further details of funding opportunities can be found on our website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/history/study/fund/index.aspx