Program Overview

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Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage (MA)

Award

Master of Arts

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Avenue

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

Explore the Holocaust as an historical event and as 'negative heritage' from 1945 to the present. You’ll look at the different ways in which the Holocaust has been explored, discussed and presented. You'll also develop the subject skills to carry out original historical research and build the foundation for postgraduate research.

The National Socialist genocide of the Jews during the Second World War is a focus for many institutes, museums, heritage foundations and education programmes. You'll gain the skills to pursue careers in areas such as Holocaust education, outreach, heritage curation, public history and commemoration.

Our course is designed by the internationally recognised The Parkes Institute for the study of Jewish and non-Jewish relations.

Highlights of this course include:

• access to our unique archive of Jewish modern history
• an optional field trip including a visit to a European Holocaust heritage institution or museum
• specialist modules on the Holocaust in art, film, literature and music or transnational movement in the age of globalisation
• practical workshops on the curation of Holocaust objects delivered in collaboration with external partners
• optional modules outside of History, including a foreign language

The Parkes Institute

The Parkes Institute is a world-renowned centre of Jewish studies. We comprise scholars, archivists, librarians and students and are home to one of the largest Jewish archives in Europe. We specialise in Jewish history, the Ancient World, migration studies and Holocaust research and heritage. The institute hosts a wealth of Anglo-Jewish materials as well as the personal papers of our namesake, Reverend Dr James Parkes.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Dr Janek Gryta is a Lecturer in Holocaust History. His research focuses on the history and memory of the Holocaust killing sites in Eastern Europe, especially Poland.

Learn more about this subject area

History

Studying history with us means you'll research, analyse and debate the past to better understand the present. Explore the ancient and modern, from empires and rebellion to social history and gender.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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ODT

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in history or a related subject.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email:
• Tel: +44(0)

Course structure

Your studies will run for a full 12 months on the full-time version of this degree. We also offer part-time study.

In the first 9 months you’ll study the taught part of your course.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

We don't have module information for this course yet. Please check again later.

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

• practical exercises
• seminars
• tutorials
• study visits
• expert talks

Practical training in historical research skills will help you carry out original historical research based on a wide range of primary sources.

You'll also be able to study a modern foreign language.

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• essays
• practical skills exercises
• commentaries and reviews of original sources
• curation
• portfolio
• dissertation

Core modules will be assessed by essays. Optional modules will be assessed by an essay and a review of a related source. You'll be able to choose the source from our collections or our partners' collections.

The module on public history includes curation of an object or source for a non-academic audience. You'll also choose and review an institution that delivers public history.

During your field trip, you'll apply your interpretative skills as a historian to your experience as a visitor. This will demonstrate your awareness of the pressures faced by museums and other public history sites. You'll create a portfolio which includes a diary and a guided tour of the site. This can be in the form of a video, podcast or blog.

Dissertation

The dissertation tests your ability to manage a project independently. You'll construct an extended argument based on your own original research. Your research may include unedited archival and manuscript material.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Creativity
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Local government
• national government bodies
• regional councils
• museums
• Libraries
• universities
• schools
• colleges
• tourism
• heritage service providers
• charitable organisations

Careers directly related to this course:

• Academic researcher
• Archivist
• Heritage manager
• Historic buildings inspector
• Conservation officer
• Museum education officer
• Museum curator
• Gallery curator
• Museum exhibitions officer
• Gallery exhibitions officer
• Secondary school teacher
• University lecturer

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Records manager
• Archive Curator
• Government social researcher
• Product manager
• Policy officer
• Tourism officer
• Academic librarian
• Information officer
• Marketing executive
• Human resources officer

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MA Holocaust: History Experience Heritage graduates*:

• Archives assistant
• Human resources specialist
• Secondary school teacher
• Tax assistant
• Assistant archaeologist
• Marketing executive
• Primary school teacher
• Recruitment consultant
• Civil servant
• Trainee solicitor

See more

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Southampton MA Holocaust scholarships

There is 1 James Parkes scholarship of £6,500 and up to 2 Sayers Family scholarships of £1,000 available.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• International students: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email:
• Tel: +44(0)

Related courses

Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage (MA) is a course in the History subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MA Global Challenges - History, Policy and Practice
• MA History
• PGCE History