Overview
Draw on the research and expertise of our academics in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology and develop the analytical and critical-thinking skills that are vital across a range of careers.
Our History MA will give you a breadth of understanding and insight across a variety of eras and spaces.
For example:
- Medical History
- Ideas and Ideologies
- Conflict
- Oral and Public History
Choose from modules based on themes such as the social or cultural, the political or the economic. With a variety of subdiscipline expertise and course content available in areas such as environmental history and the digital humanities.
We also offer a wide geographical and periodical range: from the pre-historic to the modern, and from the local histories of the North East of Britain to global histories of Europe, Asia, the Americas or Australasia.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Equip yourself with the key skills of an Historian. Learn to engage with a variety of sources and topics, developing a range of skills in areas such as:
- digital technologies
- archival research and data collection
- analysis
- presentation
Understand the practice of history at Postgraduate level through a set of structured modules, then tailor the course to your areas of interest through a choice of four optional modules.
You can even take modules from outside the programme. Modules from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, or an independent study project in an area of particular interest to you are also available.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
How you’ll learn
Your teaching will be based at our Newcastle campus.
The course is delivered through a combination of:
- seminars
- individual tutorials
- small-group teaching
Module teaching runs from Monday to Friday, during the day and term time only.
Your tutors and other academic staff are available for consultation, and for dissertation supervision, during vacations.
If you take this course part time, you’ll agree your module selection with the Degree Programme Director.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Research proposal
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your future
Careers
You’ll gain and consolidate a broad range of skills, preparing you for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities.
We’ll help you develop and explore your personal interests, equipping you with an advanced set of skills employers are looking for.
Our students go on to a diverse range of careers. Some opt for roles within history and heritage organisations, whilst others choose to use their leadership, communication and project management skills within the education sector.
Many of our graduate’s progress into industries such as finance, legal services and publishing. Here their advanced research, analytical and critical thinking skills are essential to success.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for History – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Arts and Humanities – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Benefit from our extensive museum and archive collections such as:
- The Great North Museum: Hancock – our on-site museum. Home to the collections that previously made up the:
- Hancock Museum
- Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology (an internationally-renowned collection of over 1,000 Greek and Etruscan artefacts)
- Museum of Antiquities.
- Special Collections & Archives at The Robinson Library – a rich collection of archival material, historical medical texts and rare books.
- The UNESCO-recognised Gertrude Bell Archive – explorer, archaeologist and political diplomat.
Find out more about the Gertrude Bell Archive
You’ll also have access to:
- first-class computing facilities
- relevant databases
- a dedicated postgraduate computer room
- library facilities on campus and around the city
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in history or a related subject. Applicants with non-standard qualifications and/or an appropriate level of experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis.
