Program Overview

Modern History MA

Key Information

Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course Essentials

This Modern History MA focuses on European and British history from the mid-18th century onwards and explores the key topics of the period, from European nation-building to modern British politics. For students interested in Continental European and/or British History since the mid-18th century, this MA in modern history draws on a wide range of approaches to give you a comparative perspective and offers a vast range of modules taught by leading experts.

You’ll study two required modules during your modern history degree. The first will teach you all about historical methods, showing you how the discipline and profession of modern history have evolved and exposing you to bigger trends and debates across the field. During your second required module, you’ll learn advanced skills for historians and develop the practical skills you’ll need to conduct your own research project. You’ll be taught the necessary research skills and how to combine them with historical methods while considering the wider context. This will be essential for the dissertation you’ll complete towards the end of your master’s.

For the remainder of your Modern History MA, you’ll study a syllabus you choose yourself from a list of optional modules. These focus on particular places and periods of modern history or are centred on specific themes but span a wide range of specialisms aligned with the expertise of the teaching faculty, who are leading researchers in this field.

Base Campus

• Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Regulating Bodies

• King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in history or a related subject such as politics. Students without a history degree may be required to show relevant research skills in order to be accepted.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band C

Selection Process

• Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal.
• A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
• Personal statement and supporting information:
  • Personal Statement: Yes, around 500 words, answering specific questions
  • Previous Academic Study: Yes, a copy of your official academic transcript(s)
  • References: Yes, one academic reference is required
  • Other: Optional, applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration

Teaching & Structure

• Teaching methods: The course will give you access to an exceptionally wide range of optional modules from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, as well as selected modules from the Departments of War Studies and Political Economy, and other institutions.
• Assessment: Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays and a dissertation.
• Structure:
  • Required modules:
    • Historical Methods (30 credits)
    • Advanced Skills for Historians (30 credits)
    • Dissertation (60 credits)
  • Optional modules:
    • English Exceptions since 1918 (15 credits)
    • Revolutions & Constitutions in Europe – C 1790–1870 (15 credits)
    • Empire, Nation & Modernity in Eastern Europe 1848–1914 (15 credits)
    • Gender and British Society 1900–45 (15 credits)
    • The Making of Muslims in Europe: Empire, Immigration, and Citizenship (15 credits)
    • The Peculiarities of German History, c. (15 credits)
    • The Spanish Civil War and the Crisis of the 1930s (15 credits)
    • Britain and the World Economy—c. (15 credits)
    • Up to 30 credits from a range of modules offered by other MA programmes in the department, by other departments at King’s, or intercollegiately, subject to the course convenor’s approval.

Careers

• Employability: Graduates of this Modern History MA are well-positioned to pursue careers in teaching, archives, the media, finance, politics, heritage industries and much more.
• Positions held by recent Modern History MA graduates include:
  • Policy Advisor, Department of Education
  • Marketing Manager, Cancer Research UK
  • Management Consultant, PwC
  • Director of Research for Utopia 23 (a start-up company)
  • Lecturer in Early Modern History, University of Exeter

Fees & Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • UK: Full time £13,500 per year (2025/26), Part time £6,750 per year (2025/26)
  • International: Full time £30,000 per year (2025/26), Part time £15,000 per year (2025/26)
• Deposit: If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
• Additional Costs: In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for books, clothing, library fees, personal photocopies, printing course handouts, society membership fees, stationery, travel costs, and graduation costs.
• Funding: To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.