How does the MA History differ from the MA World History?

MA History allows specialisation across any region, period or theme; MA World History is explicitly transregional and comparative in focus, with structured global-history modules. Pick MA History if you want regional or period specialism; pick MA World History for comparative global focus.

Can I focus my MA History dissertation on a specific region?

Yes. Your dissertation question is your choice, agreed with your supervisor. We match you with a supervisor whose specialism aligns with your region, period or theme. Recent dissertations have ranged from early-modern London to twentieth-century Africa.

Does the MA History include palaeography training?

Yes. Both early modern (sixteenth–eighteenth century) and modern (nineteenth–twentieth century) palaeography are covered in the research methods module, with structured practice on the document types your dissertation requires.

Can I take the MA History part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available. London archive work continues for distance students via an extended dissertation timeline and on-campus archive residentials.

Is the MA History a route into doctoral research?

Yes — it is one of the standard UK routes into a PhD in history. Many graduates progress to doctoral study at LSJHML or partner universities; the dissertation is structured to produce work suitable as the basis of a PhD application.

MA History in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA History at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for History graduates, working teachers, archivists, heritage professionals and editorial researchers who want master's-level depth in historical method and a substantial archive-based dissertation. You will work through contemporary historiographical debate, take advanced research methods training across primary source criticism and palaeography, and complete a 12,000–15,000 word dissertation using primary archive material.

The MA History takes you into the working life of a research historian — the archive, the secondary literature, the contested interpretation, the sustained piece of original argument. By graduation you have produced a piece of work that contributes to a historiographical conversation rather than summarising it.

Key Features

Historiography seminar across major contemporary traditions — global history, environmental history, gender history, postcolonial history, history-from-below.
Advanced research methods — primary source criticism, palaeography (early modern and modern), oral history, digital archives.
London archive-based teaching with sessions at the National Archives at Kew, the British Library and major specialist archives.
Specialist tutorials matched to your dissertation region, period or theme.
Industry-led masterclasses with working historians, archivists, museum curators and history journalists.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation using primary archive material, supervised across the year.

What You Will Learn

The MA History is structured around three interlocking strands — historiography, advanced research methods and sustained dissertation work. You graduate able to engage seriously with contemporary historiographical debate, work confidently with primary archive material, and produce a piece of original historical argument to publishable master's standard.

Contemporary historiography — major traditions and current debates.
Global and transregional history — methods and questions.
Environmental history — methods, sources, current debates.
Gender and family history — methods, sources, current debates.
Postcolonial and decolonial historiography — interventions and critiques.
Primary source criticism — provenance, context, reading against the grain.
Palaeography — early modern and modern handwriting and document forms.
Archive practice — finding aids, specialist catalogues, digital archive use.
Sustained dissertation construction — research question, archival strategy, sustained argument.

Who This MA Is For

Bachelor's history graduates ready for master's-level research training.
Working teachers, archivists and museum professionals seeking a research-historical credential.
Editorial researchers and history journalists wanting structured archive-based training.
Career-changers from the civil service, law or other professional fields moving into research-historical work.

Career Pathways

History MA graduates feed into a varied UK labour market — archives, museums, heritage, education, publishing, broadcasting, the civil service and the wider analytical-graduate market. Typical destinations include:

Historian (research project, university post-doc with PhD, longform writing)
Archivist (senior — research library, national archive, specialist collection)
Museum Curator (specialist — national museum, regional museum)
History Teacher (with PGCE, secondary or sixth-form)
Heritage Researcher (heritage charity, World Heritage Site team)
Editorial Researcher (senior — history publishing, history broadcasting)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in history, or for senior roles in heritage and museum leadership.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended dissertation area.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.