(MA) Master of Arts
History
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
None
None
MA V10024
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.2 Degree in History or a related subject such as: Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, Foreign Language with Literature content Law, Literature, Politics or Sociology.
Will consider applicants with an unrelated degree but relevant work experience in for example museums or libraries.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
Please refer to the full time version of this course for information on Core and Compulsory modules.
External examiners
Prof Rohan McWilliam
professor of Modern Hritish History
Anglia Ruskin University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- Stimulate the historical imagination of students through a critical engagement with the past.
- Provide students with an advanced understanding of the methods and techniques of the historical discipline, based on a critical awareness of current problems and scholarship at the forefront of the field.
- Allow students to develop a critical awareness of selected sub-fields of History with respect to relevant social, cultural, political and economic contexts.
- Encourage students to develop critical, analytical and research skills, problem solving skills, and transferable skills, appropriate to the study of History.
- Allow students to design and conduct a substantial independent study in a chosen historical subject area.
- Prepare students for further study and/or employment through the development of their knowledge and abilities.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of the broad themes of historical analysis, including continuity and change, the specificity of particular historical processes, and the 'otherness' of the past.
A2: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of the models used by the discipline to conceptualise and analyse change in past societies.
A3: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of some key historical sources available for historical research.
A4: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of some selected topics of history.
A5: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of a particular area of history through an independent piece of research.
Learning methods
A1-A4 are acquired through seminars where there is an emphasis on group discussion and which allow for dynamic interaction based on directed pre-set reading.
Throughout students are encouraged to develop their knowledge through independent, self-directed research and reading.
A5 is acquired through work on the dissertation.
Assessment methods
Testing the knowledge-base for A1-A4 is through essays and the dissertation.
A5 is assessed through the dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: A student should be able to identify accurately issues which require researching.
B2: A student should be able to assemble information from a variety of sources, and discern and establish connections.
B3: A student should be able to synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary information.
B4: A student should be able to rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B5: A student should be able to critically evaluate the merits of conflicting arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.
B6: A student should be able to present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies and, where appropriate, propose new interpretations or hypotheses.
B7: A student should be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, or conflicting evidence, and communicate their conclusions clearly
B8: A student should be able to demonstrate independence of thought where appropriate.
Learning methods
Intellectual/cognitive skills B1-B8 are obtained through seminars, where there is an emphasis on group discussion and an analysis of original material and historical problems.
All skills are further developed by the course essays and the dissertation.
Skill B1 is fostered in particular through the dissertation, and student formulation of their own essay topics in consultation with the course tutor/supervisor.
Assessment methods
Intellectual/cognitive skills B1-B8 are assessed via essays and the dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: A student should be able to identify, select and retrieve a wide range of relevant source material.
C2: A student should be able to design, use and reflect on various research and study techniques.
C3: A student should be able to interpret qualitative material.
C4: A student should be able to compose extended bibliographies, using relevant reference systems according to established conventions.
C5: A student should be able to design a substantial work of independent study.
C6: A student should be able to project plan, manage and complete a substantial work of independent study.
C7: A student should be able to identify, select and retrieve a range of primary source material.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C5 are developed through research for the course essays and dissertation, and by feedback and discussions with the tutors on written work.
They are also developed specifically through preparation for tutorials, and the medium of group interactive classes in HR935 (Research Methods in History).
Skills C2, C3, C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion.
Skills C1-C7 are developed via the dissertation.
Assessment methods
Practical skills C1-C4 are assessed through essays, and all the skills C1-C7 via the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: A student should be able to i) work with the English language proficiently in relation to matters pertinent to the historical discipline; ii) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner; iii) analyse materials that are complex and/or technical; iv) liaise directly with academic supervisors on the dissertation.
D2: A student should be able to use appropriate IT where relevant for research and presentation purposes (including searchable databases such as library catalogues and internet sources, and word processing).
D3: A student should be able to analyse a reasonably complex set of data and apply relevant explanatory models thereto.
D4: A student should be able to i) with limited guidance, to reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback; ii) to appreciate when s/he does not know enough and needs to undertake further research.
Learning methods
Key skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 are acquired through tutorials where students debate historical issues and problems.
Skill D1 ii) can in addition be obtained through the University’‘s online essay writing tutorial at: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/essay-writing/
Skills D1, D2, D4 and D6 will be learnt through writing assessed and formative coursework and consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions.
Skill D2 can be obtained in particular through preparation for tutorials and the medium of group interactive classes in HR935 (Research Methods in History).
Assessment methods
Skills D1-D6 are assessed through essays and the dissertation.