
Dr Jonathan Fitzgibbons - Programme Leader
Dr Fitzgibbons is a historian of early modern Britain. As programme leader for MA History, he teaches an optional module on Tudor and Stuart political culture. His research interests include the intellectual and constitutional history of Civil War Britain and the memory of trauma and conflict in the early modern world.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MA History
This rigorous Master's programme is designed to develop students' specialist knowledge of history alongside advanced research skills that are transferable to a variety of careers paths, including PhD study.
Students can specialise in the history of gender and sexuality, media history, global history, early modern or contemporary British history, or pursue a general programme of study instead. Through cumulative research, students can develop the relevant skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and simple awareness.
The city of Lincoln is rich in history and heritage making it the perfect setting in which to conduct history research. Students can benefit from the historical resources available in the city, including at the International Bomber Command Centre and The Wren Library at Lincoln Cathedral which houses several thousand early modern books.
Students on the course are expected to undertake an in-depth independent research project and produce a detailed dissertation.
How You Study
The taught modules are delivered through a series of seminars which typically take place on a Wednesday. Students are supported in researching and writing their dissertation with a series of tutorial meetings with their supervisor.
Students on this course should expect to receive three to four hours of contact time per week. Postgraduate-level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend two to three hours in independent study.
Core modules:
- Historical Research (12 weeks)
- The Dissertation Map (six weeks)
- The Public Historian (six weeks)
Students also have a choice of one 12-week optional core module in Semester 1 and one 12-week optional module in Semester 2.
Optional core modules can include:
-Themes in Contemporary British History
-Themes in Global History
-Themes and Issues in Media History
-Themes and Issues in the History of Gender and Sexuality
Optional modules can include:
-Politics and Political Culture in Tudor and Stuart Britain, 1500-1700
-Early Modern Manhood
-Sex and Science in the Western World, 1800-present
-The Making of Contemporary Britain: From Sexual Liberation to Deindustrialisation 1970-1990
-Gender and Material Culture in Modern Britain
-Photographing Empire
-The History of the Book: Media and Print Culture in Early Modern Europe
-Break Ranks! Antimilitarism, Pacifism and Resistance to War
-Literature, Politics, and Identity in Interwar Europe
-Print Culture and the Book in the Nineteenth Century
Features
Students will be encouraged to take an active part in the academic life of the School by attending events and research seminars organised by the School of Humanities and Heritage and by research groups in the College of Arts.
Members of staff on the programme are involved in the ‘Global and Transregional Studies Research Group’ which runs events for researchers and students across the College of Arts, including a lively interdisciplinary seminar series
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/hh/research/globalandtransregionalstudies/
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
A variety of forms of assessment are used during this programme, including research projects, essays, public engagement projects, presentations, book reviews, portfolios, and the 15,000-20,000 word dissertation.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days of the submission date (unless stated differently above).
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on your course. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation, and your meals may be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional you will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay your own transportation, accommodation, and meal costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
The School of History and Heritage MA Bursary
The School of Humanities and Heritage is pleased to be able to offer up to four bursaries, by competition, to University of Lincoln students and alumni who wish to undertake one of the MA degree programmes offered by the School (MA History, MA Medieval Studies, MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage, or MA English Literature).
For full details and information on how to apply, visit The School of Humanities and Heritage MA Bursary.
International Applications
Please note that this programme is now closed for international applications for September 2023 entry.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
2:1 honours degree in History or a related subject.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Career Opportunities
The skills and knowledge acquired from studying history are valued by many professions. This programme aims to develop the advanced knowledge and expert research skills valued in both the public and private sectors.
As effective writers and communicators, historians can go on to careers in journalism, communications, and marketing. Research and organisation skills produce outstanding librarians, information managers, and researches, while many historian graduates also go on to complete additional study to become lawyers, diplomats, and public officials.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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