History (Modern and Contemporary History)
Entry requirements
You will need an Honours degree in History or a cognate subject, such as Politics, International Relations, Cultural Studies, normally of an upper second-class standard
Months of entry
September
Course content
From the industrial revolution to the computer age, from the impact of the French Revolution to the Arab Spring, explore the rapid changes during modern and contemporary history and the impact they have on the world today.
Immerse yourself in key debates around these developments, taking a global approach to the study of the recent past. Work with scholars whose expertise spans across social, cultural, and political history as well as histories of gender, race, and class. With a vast range of optional modules, including a practical placement, this course will give you key transferable skills and an understanding of the modern world for your future career.
Experience the freedom to tailor your degree, choosing modules such as environmental politics, information technology, post-colonial migration histories of sexuality, feminist movements, and internationalism and empire.
This course lets you combine modules spanning across our History Department to enhance your understanding of the contemporary period. There’s even the option to select modules from other subject areas, from classics to art history or modern languages. Whatever direction you take, you’ll be supported by our expert Centre for Modern and Contemporary History.
- Explore your chosen area of study in-depth through your choice of modules and dissertation topic.
- Study in a department ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, according to Times Higher Education.
- Take advantage of our diverse range of expertise. Specialise in areas of British, American, African, South Asian, Middle East and European History.
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Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History and Heritage.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate enquiry service