Modern History MA

Course overview

Connect with the past and understand how it shapes the future at one of the biggest History departments in the UK.

History matters. It shapes world politics, cultural shifts, technological innovations and social dynamics. Understanding it enhances how well we grasp where we are, how we got here, and what the future might hold.

As an MA Modern History student, you’ll immerse yourself in the early modern period to the present day, covering Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. You’ll engage in a diverse range of studies, not only chronologically and geographically, but thematically too.

You’ll learn in one of the largest History departments in the country, drawing expertise from course tutors with a wide range of expertise. We’ll encourage you to think like an historian – you’ll have the opportunity to define how you study your course, from deep dives into state archives to popular culture and everyday life. You’re also free to follow more than one approach, so you’ll collaborate with other historians who ask alternative questions, use different kinds of sources and understand the past differently.

By the end of your course, you’ll have the critical thinking and analytical and research skills to flourish in your chosen career.

Leeds is a very diverse city where there is something for everyone, whether heavy metal or jazz and soul. It is always busy, and there is always something to do here.

Emma Roberts, BA History (International)

Why study at Leeds

• Academic expertise: Learn from tutors steeped in British, European, American and colonial history, and glean insight from experts working on East and South-East Asia, India, Africa, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East.
• An engaging research community: You’ll get the chance to attend research seminars, conferences and workshops, and engage with the Leeds Humanities Research Institute.
• A rich historical archive at your doorstep: Access some of the best archive and library collections in the country, including the Brotherton Library.
• Access rare collections: Our Cultural Collections offer a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art, as well as microfilm collections of American, Indian and South African newspapers, US government and presidential files, and the Black Power Movement archive.

Guaranteed industry experience

During your time at Leeds, you’ll have the chance to work with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of a 2-week online Global Industry Programme.

As well as giving you the opportunity to build key industry connections, you’ll also develop invaluable professional and practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

Course details and modules

The course has two core modules (worth 30 credits each). You take a further two optional modules (worth 30 credits each) and complete a 60-credit dissertation.

The course can be taken on a full-time (12 months) or a part-time (24 months) basis. As a full-time student you will take two 30-credit core modules in semester 1 and two optional modules in semester 2. The dissertation will be submitted after 12 months of study. As a part-time student you will take one 30-credit module each semester of both Year 1 and Year 2, with the dissertation submitted after 24 months.

The core modules give you the skills you need to study Modern History and communicate your work. You'll build confidence working with different historical approaches and incorporating these different approaches into your own historical practice and learn the skills you need to share your own research and understand how historians contribute to our understanding of the contemporary world.

The optional modules allow you to specialise. Whether you wish to focus on an existing interest or do something entirely new, our range of staff expertise enables you to study particular times, places and topics in depth. The dissertation enables you to put the knowledge and skills you have gained into practice in an extended piece of historical writing.

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read MA Modern History (Full-Time) or MA Modern History (Part-Time) in the course catalogue.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of approaches, including essays, dissertations, book and literature reviews, and podcasts. Fairness and inclusivity will be ensured through opportunities for formative assessment and in the provision of training where skills and support are required. You might also be offered a choice of assessment, for example between an essay and a podcast or between a presentation or a literature review.

The assignments you will complete have been designed to help you develop critical skills that are valued by employers. In the course, you will need to be able to research independently in order to evaluate claims and arguments to come to a reasoned conclusion. You will also need to produce convincing evidence to support your conclusions. Tasks like presenting to an audience or working with others to produce a joint presentation will similarly help you to boost your employability skills.

Your lecturers will use a marking scheme to ensure fairness in assessing your work, which will also be considered by a second colleague and by an external examiner.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2.1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in History or a related humanities or social science degree specialising in one of the subjects listed under 'Modern History related subjects'.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in History, humanities or social sciences or coming from an area of expertise to which History, humanities or social sciences is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Modern History related subjects

• Politics
• Sociology
• English
• Modern Languages
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Heritage Studies
• Classical Studies
• Liberal Arts

Other areas

• Archaeology
• Linguistics
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Law
• Anthropology
• Musicology
• Media Studies
• Journalism
• Information management
• Public administration
• Geography
• International Relations
• Development Studies
• Education

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

• What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
• Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
• What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
• How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
• Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
• What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: Research, Journalism, Creative Industries, Cultural Industries, Galleries, Museums, Archiving, Education, Historian. Publishing, Libraries, Cultural Policy, Politics.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

1. What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course.
2. Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
3. What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
4. How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
5. Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
6. What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: publishing, museum and galleries work, volunteering, teaching and education.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2027

This course is taught by

School of History

Contact us

Student Education Service Office

Email: HistoryPGTadmissions@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,000 (Total)

International: £26,500 (Total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Career opportunities

On this course, you’ll acquire high-level research, analysis and communication skills, which will prove invaluable in a wide range of careers.

Our History MA graduates have found success in a wide range of careers in journalism, policy making, research, and the private sector. Many others have continued with their studies at PhD level.

We offer different forms of support to help you reach your career goals. You’ll have the chance to attend our career groups, meeting students with similar plans, or you could become a paid academic mentor to an undergraduate completing their final-year dissertation. You can also apply for one of the internships we offer each year.

Where this degree could take you

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our History MA graduates have obtained:

• Accounts Coordinator, Mednet
• Caseworker, HMRC
• Business analyst, Citizens Advice
• Customer Account Manager, Civil Service
• Freelance Writer and Editorial Consultant

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system – access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Work placements and industry experience

Our optional placement module "Making History" offers you a valuable opportunity to gain relevant experience in areas relating to history such as archiving and heritage. You’ll gain 50 hours of work experience working on a project with a partner organisation. You’ll also develop your critical analysis skills by completing a critical essay and project portfolio.

Global Industry Programme

As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.

You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.

This experience will enhance your CV, helping you stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:

• Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
• Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
• Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
• Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
• Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
• Improve your employability prospects.
• Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.