MA in History

The MA History program at Queen’s is designed to offer an innovative package of modules that challenges students to develop their knowledge and skills and flourish in their area of interest or future specialism.

Our Faculty have research specialisms across a range of chronological and geographical areas. We have areas of particular strength in ancient, medieval, early modern, and contemporary history in Ireland, Britain, the USA, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Students will be taught by leading experts in public history, urban history, women’s and gender history, religious history, political history, and extra-European history.

Modules are designed in a complementary fashion in order to develop the range of skills that employers expect from graduates from the best-designed postgraduate taught programs. They are designed also to train students who want to continue on a PhD.

Modules range from Theory, methods, and sources to Topics in the History of Religion, the History of Race and Ethnicity, the History of the Cold War, Social History, Political History, or Economic History. You can opt to take these approaches within American History, British History, Irish History, European History, African History, Asian History, or Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern History.

History highlights

Student Experience

The School has a rich research culture and postgraduate community. Postgraduate students host regular graduate-led seminars, colloquia, and conferences. Students engage closely with research activities and events run by the Centre for Public History at Queen’s.

This program provides students with an opportunity to work in the largest and most international community of historians on the island of Ireland.

Close involvement of practitioners from a wide range of organizations in many aspects of the course including:

• Practitioner-led workshops
• Field trips to Europe
• Rich research culture and postgraduate community
• Involvement in the Centre for Public History at Queen’s
• Involvement in the Institute of Irish Studies
• Involvement in QUOTE (Queen’s University Oral History, Technology and Ethics) Hub

Studying MA History at Queen’s offers a unique insight into many of the key issues relating to contested histories, cultural memory, commemoration, identity, and community history in a very real and meaningful way, and to gain a first-hand understanding of the relationship between public history, heritage, policy, and the consumption of history at a local, national and international level.

Queen’s ranked 17 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022).

16% of the Queen’s student population are international students (Queen’s Planning Office, 2023).

Ranked 15th in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).

Internationally Renowned Experts

Modules focus on cutting-edge staff collaboration on emerging research themes with renowned experts in their field.