Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Modern History MA
Key information
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
This Modern History MA focuses on modern British and European history from the mid-18th century onwards. You’ll learn how thinking comparatively about different societies and polities helps you understand historical issues and their relevance to today's society and world, using a variety of approaches, methods, and sources. You’ll be taught at one of the best history departments in the world and learn from leading experts on a range of topics, from political history to social-cultural history, gender history, the history of science and technology, and beyond. After completing your modern history master’s, you’ll have the skills and experience to pursue a career in education, journalism, finance, politics and the cultural sectors or pursue further study.
Key benefits
- Join one of the best history departments in the world, ranked 3rd in Research Power (REF2021) and in the top 10 history departments in Europe (QS World University Rankings 2024).
- Study an innovative comparative approach to British and Continental European history from the 18th century to today.
- Enjoy our central London location, which offers unrivalled access to world-class museums, collections, archives and libraries, as well as easy access to resources in Europe.
- Enhance your education with our vibrant research culture, including seminars and conferences where you’ll be encouraged to participate and give papers.
- Benefit from one of the best employment rates and starting salaries in the UK. King’s is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).
Course Essentials This Modern History MA focuses on European and British history from the mid-18th century onwards and explores the key topics of the period, from European nation-building to modern British politics. For students interested in Continental European and/or British History since the mid-18th century, this MA in modern history draws on a wide range of approaches to give you a comparative perspective and offers a vast range of modules taught by leading experts. You’ll study two required modules during your modern history degree. The first will teach you all about historical methods, showing you how the discipline and profession of modern history have evolved and exposing you to bigger trends and debates across the field. During your second required module, you’ll learn advanced skills for historians and develop the practical skills you’ll need to conduct your own research project. You’ll be taught the necessary research skills and how to combine them with historical methods while considering the wider context. This will be essential for the dissertation you’ll complete towards the end of your master’s. For the remainder of your Modern History MA, you’ll study a syllabus you choose yourself from a list of optional modules. These focus on particular places and periods of modern history or are centred on specific themes but span a wide range of specialisms aligned with the expertise of the teaching faculty, who are leading researchers in this field. For example, you could pursue comparative analysis of nations and nationalism with modules looking at notions of English exceptionalism since 1918, European revolutions and constitutions in the 19th century, or evolving models of empire and nation in the Russian and Habsburg empires. Other optional modules that are typically offered cover topics such as gender and British society, the making of Muslims in Europe, and Britain and the world economy between 1850 and 1914. You could also undertake an internship module and boost your CV. This would see you complete a placement at an organisation such as a museum or gallery, where you’ll get to build up relevant work experience and reflect on your responsibilities. It’s also possible to study a modern language during this master’s, which helps extend the range of sources you can engage with. Your Modern History MA will culminate in a dissertation. You’ll get to put into practice the historical skills you’ve picked up from your required modules while exploring a research question of your choice. Throughout this master’s, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enhance your education beyond the classroom. Because you’ll be based in the heart of London, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the British Library, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and many other specialised archives, libraries, galleries and museums. As a King’s student, you’ll also be part of the University of London and thus have access to the Senate House Library and to the dozens of seminars run by the Institute for Historical Research.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 undergraduate honours degree in history or a related subject such as politics. Students without a history degree may be required to show relevant research skills in order to be accepted.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
C
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal.
A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks although this may take longer in February, March and over holiday periods.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
Please provide a personal statement of around 500 words, answering the following questions: Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words) How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words) Please write these questions as separate answers, with a clear title for your answer to each question. Documents where your answers are not clearly titled and separated will not be accepted. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
The course will give you access to an exceptionally wide range of optional modules from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, as well as selected modules from the Departments of War Studies and Political Economy, and other institutions.
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Our central location offers you unrivalled access to world-class museums, collections, archives and libraries, as well as easy access to resources in Europe. You will benefit from the wealth of cultural and social opportunities in one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic cities, where so much of modern history was made. London also has the advantage of a strong graduate community, where you can follow up a range of interests towards further research. For example, we will strongly encourage you to participate in the seminars at the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), many of which are convened by members of the Department.
Teaching
If you are a full-time student, we will give you six to eight hours of teaching each week through seminars, where you will contribute to the discussion and deliver presentations, and we will expect you to undertake 32-34 hours of self-study.
If you are a part-time student, we will give you two to four hours of teaching each week through seminars, where you will contribute to the discussion and deliver presentations, and we will expect you to undertake 16 to 18 hours of self-study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays and a dissertation. Coursework contributes approximately 100% and examinations approximately 0% to your final mark.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take four modules (totalling 60 credits) from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
English Exceptions since 1918 (15 credits)
The Making of Muslims in Europe: Empire, Immigration, and Citizenship (15 credits)
The Peculiarities of German History, c.1871-1949 (15 credits)
The Spanish Civil War and the Crisis of the 1930s (15 credits)
Britain and the World Economy—c. 1850-1914 (15 credits)
Up to 30 credits from a range of modules offered by other MA programmes in the department, by other departments at King’s, or intercollegiately, subject to the course convenor’s approval.
If you are a part-time student, you will take Advanced Skills for Historians, along with two optional modules from the list below, in your first year. In your second year, you will take Historical Methods, two further optional modules, and your dissertation.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Graduates of this Modern History MA are well-positioned to pursue careers in teaching, archives, the media, finance, politics, heritage industries and much more.
Positions held by recent Modern History MA graduates include:
- Policy Advisor, Department of Education
- Marketing Manager, Cancer Research UK
- Management Consultant, PwC
- Director of Research for Utopia 23 (a start-up company)
- Lecturer in Early Modern History, University of Exeter
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
King’s Bridge Scholarship
King’s College London offers King’s Bridge Scholarships, covering full-time or part-time tuition fees for selected Arts & Humanities master’s programmes. Open to home students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Learn more.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- books if you choose to buy your own copies
- clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- library fees and fines
- personal photocopies
- printing course handouts
- society membership fees
- stationery
- travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- graduation costs
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Course Essentials This Modern History MA focuses on European and British history from the mid-18th century onwards and explores the key topics of the period, from European nation-building to modern British politics. For students interested in Continental European and/or British History since the mid-18th century, this MA in modern history draws on a wide range of approaches to give you a comparative perspective and offers a vast range of modules taught by leading experts. You’ll study two required modules during your modern history degree. The first will teach you all about historical methods, showing you how the discipline and profession of modern history have evolved and exposing you to bigger trends and debates across the field. During your second required module, you’ll learn advanced skills for historians and develop the practical skills you’ll need to conduct your own research project. You’ll be taught the necessary research skills and how to combine them with historical methods while considering the wider context. This will be essential for the dissertation you’ll complete towards the end of your master’s. For the remainder of your Modern History MA, you’ll study a syllabus you choose yourself from a list of optional modules. These focus on particular places and periods of modern history or are centred on specific themes but span a wide range of specialisms aligned with the expertise of the teaching faculty, who are leading researchers in this field. For example, you could pursue comparative analysis of nations and nationalism with modules looking at notions of English exceptionalism since 1918, European revolutions and constitutions in the 19th century, or evolving models of empire and nation in the Russian and Habsburg empires. Other optional modules that are typically offered cover topics such as gender and British society, the making of Muslims in Europe, and Britain and the world economy between 1850 and 1914. You could also undertake an internship module and boost your CV. This would see you complete a placement at an organisation such as a museum or gallery, where you’ll get to build up relevant work experience and reflect on your responsibilities. It’s also possible to study a modern language during this master’s, which helps extend the range of sources you can engage with. Your Modern History MA will culminate in a dissertation. You’ll get to put into practice the historical skills you’ve picked up from your required modules while exploring a research question of your choice. Throughout this master’s, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enhance your education beyond the classroom. Because you’ll be based in the heart of London, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the British Library, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and many other specialised archives, libraries, galleries and museums. As a King’s student, you’ll also be part of the University of London and thus have access to the Senate House Library and to the dozens of seminars run by the Institute for Historical Research.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 undergraduate honours degree in history or a related subject such as politics. Students without a history degree may be required to show relevant research skills in order to be accepted.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
C
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal.
A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks although this may take longer in February, March and over holiday periods.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
Please provide a personal statement of around 500 words, answering the following questions: Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words) How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words) Please write these questions as separate answers, with a clear title for your answer to each question. Documents where your answers are not clearly titled and separated will not be accepted. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
The course will give you access to an exceptionally wide range of optional modules from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, as well as selected modules from the Departments of War Studies and Political Economy, and other institutions.
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Our central location offers you unrivalled access to world-class museums, collections, archives and libraries, as well as easy access to resources in Europe. You will benefit from the wealth of cultural and social opportunities in one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic cities, where so much of modern history was made. London also has the advantage of a strong graduate community, where you can follow up a range of interests towards further research. For example, we will strongly encourage you to participate in the seminars at the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), many of which are convened by members of the Department.
Teaching
If you are a full-time student, we will give you six to eight hours of teaching each week through seminars, where you will contribute to the discussion and deliver presentations, and we will expect you to undertake 32-34 hours of self-study.
If you are a part-time student, we will give you two to four hours of teaching each week through seminars, where you will contribute to the discussion and deliver presentations, and we will expect you to undertake 16 to 18 hours of self-study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays and a dissertation. Coursework contributes approximately 100% and examinations approximately 0% to your final mark.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take four modules (totalling 60 credits) from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
English Exceptions since 1918 (15 credits)
The Making of Muslims in Europe: Empire, Immigration, and Citizenship (15 credits)
The Peculiarities of German History, c.1871-1949 (15 credits)
The Spanish Civil War and the Crisis of the 1930s (15 credits)
Britain and the World Economy—c. 1850-1914 (15 credits)
Up to 30 credits from a range of modules offered by other MA programmes in the department, by other departments at King’s, or intercollegiately, subject to the course convenor’s approval.
If you are a part-time student, you will take Advanced Skills for Historians, along with two optional modules from the list below, in your first year. In your second year, you will take Historical Methods, two further optional modules, and your dissertation.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Graduates of this Modern History MA are well-positioned to pursue careers in teaching, archives, the media, finance, politics, heritage industries and much more.
Positions held by recent Modern History MA graduates include:
- Policy Advisor, Department of Education
- Marketing Manager, Cancer Research UK
- Management Consultant, PwC
- Director of Research for Utopia 23 (a start-up company)
- Lecturer in Early Modern History, University of Exeter
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
King’s Bridge Scholarship
King’s College London offers King’s Bridge Scholarships, covering full-time or part-time tuition fees for selected Arts & Humanities master’s programmes. Open to home students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Learn more.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- books if you choose to buy your own copies
- clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- library fees and fines
- personal photocopies
- printing course handouts
- society membership fees
- stationery
- travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- graduation costs
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Key information
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
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