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RAE 2008
100% of RU’s work in History was recognised either internationally or nationally for its originality, significance and rigour, with 35% of that work regarded as being either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. More information.

Why study Historical Research at Roehampton?

Teaching expertise
The MA in Historical Research is taught by nationally and internationally renowned historians whose breadth of interests is one of the strengths of the programme. Our current research interests include the poor and marginalised in nineteenth- and twentieth-century London, historical writing and theory, local history, gender and crime, the history of the family, microhistory, early modern cultural history, medieval archeology, oral history and classical history. Together the modules reveal some of the most influential theoretical positions and methodologies in historical scholarship today.

In January 2008 we introduced a distance learning version of the MA, for part-time students following the Local History pathway.

In September 2009 we introduced a new Classical History pathway taught by members of the Classical Civilisation programme. It will include modules on crime and gender, Roman religion and Latin and Greek languages.

Research
Members of the History team contribute modules in their particular specialist areas.

Roehampton has a Centre for English Local History. Students have the opportunity to attend monthly postgraduate and regular research seminars featuring nationally and internationally respected guest lecturers. An annual postgraduate conference takes place in the summer.

Locality
A special emphasis on Local History is available at both Diploma and MA level by a named pathway.

Field trips and visits to museums and record offices are included in many modules.

There is easy access to the National Archives in Kew nearby, as well as to the record offices in London and Surrey, and to the libraries and museums in London.

International mix
The programme has proved to be valuable to a wide range of students from the UK and overseas. They can pursue their interests in specific periods and topics and thereby learn to evaluate different historical approaches and a rich variety of source material ranging from written documents to artefacts, fiction and film.

Who is the programme aimed at?

If you are a graduate in history, classical civilisation or an allied subject seeking to enhance your qualifications and skills to improve your chances of employment or promotion, this programme offers you the opportunity to refine your knowledge and practice of historical research, whether you left university recently or some time ago.

Alternatively, you may want to prepare for PhD study or simply enjoy a challenging intellectual exercise for its own sake.

General programme information

The Historical Research programme offers a unique combination of modules training students in a variety of historical approaches. Some modules are theoretical, others focus more on analysing primary sources. Skills are taught through the study of key social, political and cultural issues in a historical context (eg classical, medieval, early modern and modern history).

Key areas of study

• Theory and methods (compulsory)
• Other Londons, 1850 – 1930
• The big house and estate
• Material remains from the Middle Ages and the historical record
• Palaeography and source analysis for local historians
• Eating the Renaissance: cultures of early modern food
• Explanation in the history of the family
• Microhistory and crime history
• Rural life: the local community and its sources
• Human settlement and landscape; historical perspectives
• Oral history
• Gender and crime in Ancient Greece
• Religion and society in Rome of the first century BC
• Dissertation of 15,000 words (MA only)

Students can choose from one of four pathways:

1. Classical History
2. Local History
3. Social and Cultural History
4. General.

All modules will count towards one or two specialised pathways as well as the general pathway and modules will be arranged each year so that any full-time student can complete any of the four pathways.

PGDip
You will complete four taught modules, of which one (Theory and methods) is compulsory, and then take an independent research topic of 5,000 words.

MA
You will complete four taught modules, of which one (Theory and methods) is compulsory, and then undertake a larger independent research project, a dissertation of 15,000 words.

All students engaged on research projects receive expert personal supervision.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching consists of short interactive lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Assessment varies per module and ranges from: seminar presentation; document analysis; coursework; essay; revealed exam.

The overall grade is made of up of coursework: 55% and dissertation: 45%.

The MA can be done on a full-time or part-time basis.

Career opportunities

The MA/PGDip Historical Research provides excellent preparation for PhD study in the humanities and social sciences, and will also be of particular value to teachers, historians and those working in a museum or the heritage industry, as an archivist or as a local historian.

Graduates of the programme will also develop a range of transferable skills through management, team work and oral and written communication.

Entry requirements

• A good second-class honours degree (or above) in history, or one of the humanities, or social sciences.
• Other appropriate experience/qualifications will also be considered.
• For non-native speakers the English requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6 in any of the bands.

You can also view our postgraduate entry requirements.

Length of programme

Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2-4 years

Number of places

Full-time: 18 Part -time: 18

Programme start date

September and January

Number of Credits

PGDip: 120 MA: 180

Fees

Band 3

Contact the course convener

Dr Carrie Hamilton

Programme details

Module details