MPhil History

Program Overview

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We offer supervision for our MPhil in History in a range of topics from the period c.1500 to the present day, with particular focus on themes linked to our our three research clusters and our Centre for Public History. Our research clusters cover several themes: race, gender and identity; political cultures, class and citizenship; and war, conflict and memory. We have particular expertise in the following geographical areas: Britain (including local and regional history), Europe, the United States, Latin America, Russia, Southern Africa and East Asia. We take pride in providing excellent research training and careful supervision in a friendly atmosphere, with good staff-student relationships. We have excellent links with the research community, both in the UK and worldwide and many of our graduates have gone on to teach in higher education institutions. Others have gone on to have careers in other types of education, as well as in archives, museums and heritage organisations, marketing, communications and public relations, and the Civil Service, among many other areas. We also offer a PhD and a Masters by dissertation. Please note, part-time research study is also available. Why we're great.

• We have excellent links with the research community, both in the UK and worldwide.
• Our staff are amongst world leaders in their fields; many of them specialise in researching and communicating histories which have wide public impact.
• Our teaching and research concentrates on the period from 1500 to the present and covers a wide geographical area that includes British and European history, as well as Latin America, the USA, China, Russia and Africa.

Our expert staff

Our staff are among world leaders in their field, and our enthusiasm for our subject is infectious. Our flexible course is combined with a supportive structure which helps you to pursue the modules best-suited to your interests. We take the time to get to know you as an individual, welcome you into our scholarly community, and value your views.

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Specialist facilities

If you are studying within our Department of History, you will have access to our extensive facilities to aid your learning and research. In particular, our Albert Sloman Library has excellent physical and online collections in British and European history: its holdings in the areas of Latin America, Russia and the US are of national importance. Its Special Collection has a number of collections of interest to historical research, including the libraries of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History and of the Royal Historical Society and the Bibliographical Society. The History Data Service is based in the UK Data Archive at Essex. This national service provider for the acquisition, dissemination and preservation of digital resources for historians is particularly strong in nineteenth and twentieth-century economic and social history.

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Your future

With the skills and knowledge you acquire from studying within our Department of History, you will find yourself in demand from a wide range of employers.

Program Outline

Course structure

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 In this module, you will conduct your own independent research project with support and supervision from a member of staff. View History - Research on our Module Directory

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Assessment

The MPhil is a structured two-year programme of advanced study and research.

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Dissertation

Your thesis should be no longer than 50,000 words. Twice a year, you will have a supervisory board meeting, which provides formal opportunities to discuss your progress and agree your immediate and future plans for your work.