Overview
At Newcastle, you’ll be taught by an international team of experts from the US and the UK. Our guest lecturers are leading practitioners in our local and global networks.
You’ll develop the core skills to become a successful public historian. These include project planning, collaborative ways of working, and flexible communication skills. You’ll gain a solid grounding in key theoretical and analytical frameworks, as well as public practices.
You’ll spend a third of your time working on a guided public history project. This could involve working alongside practitioners in the popular history field. This may include:
- freelance public historians
- cultural organisations
- charities
- archivists
- publishers
- TV and radio producers
This MA Public History is for you if you want to:
- shape public understanding of the past
- think globally about history
- learn how the past impacts on the present
You’ll be suitable if you’re:
- a History graduate wishing to further develop your skills ahead of a career in the history industry
- a graduate of a related subject with a keen interest in building knowledge and practical skills in public history
- currently working or volunteering in the history industry and wishing to further develop your skills to enhance your career
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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
You’ll gain high-level understanding of the ways public historians approach history. You’ll learn from leading international public historians about how their work intervenes in contemporary debates and policy. You’ll also gain practical skills in designing and carrying out public history projects.
Your first semester of our MA Public History will be spent building a strong foundation in research methods. We’ll also introduce you to key concepts in global public history, project planning skills, and digital skills.
Your second semester will focus on engaging with diverse audiences. You’ll gain important experiences working collaboratively with institutions and communities. You’ll also develop advanced skills in oral history research and presentation.
Finally, you’ll design an original public history project. You’ll demonstrate your ability to undertake independent research, work collaboratively with partners and deliver project outcomes.
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
Teaching will take a variety of forms, with online resources available for you to prepare for taught sessions. These sessions will include:
- small group seminars
- skills workshops
- supported and independent research
- fieldwork
- group work
- guest lectures
Your taught sessions will usually be scheduled on 2-3 set days a week to allow you time to continue part-time paid or voluntary work.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
Additional assessment information
Much of your assessment will be public-facing work. This may include policy briefings, grant applications, blogs and more.
Use of project-based and practical assessments throughout the course means you’ll graduate with a portfolio containing a wide range of work. You can use this to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to future employers.
Your final assessment will be an independent project. You’ll develop your project in consultation with a practitioner-mentor and a member of academic staff from history at Newcastle University. Your project could take the form of, for example, a physical or online exhibition, a podcast, a film, or a community engagement or a policy-focussed public history project.
You can apply for funding of up to £200 to cover travel costs associated with your final project.
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 development
You’ll have flexibility to tailor your work to areas that interest you most. As such, you’ll develop a deep knowledge of your chosen area(s).
During the course you’ll also develop a wide range of transferable skills, whilst being guided by expert academics and industry mentors. These include professional, research and practical skills.
Professional skills
- collaboration and group working
- presentation skills
- problem-solving
- written and verbal communication
Research skills
- accessing and interpreting archival material
- critical thinking
- data collection, analysis and presentation
- identifying primary and secondary historical sources
- oral history research skills
Practical skills – plan and manage a project from initiation to delivery.
Your future
We’ll support you to develop the core attributes of a historian with the empathy, cultural competency, collaboration and communication skills of a public historian.
As such, you’ll be well-equipped to respond to the opportunities of the changing, diversifying, and growing history-industry sector.
Industry links
We have strong links with local, national and international public history organisations and practitioners. You’ll benefit from learning and networking opportunities with our partners who include freelance professionals, media historians and others who engage with a wide range of audiences in presenting history to the public.
Careers
This course would be valuable preparation for a range of employment including:
- roles within cultural projects and the cultural sector
- public facing history roles e.g. broadcasting, film or journalism
- roles within history and heritage organisations
Further study
This course would also provide a solid foundation for further study. Industry facing and practice-based PhDs, such as the Northern Bridge Collaborative Doctoral Awards, may be of interest.
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
You’ll have access to hot-desk facilities within the Armstrong Building, home to the School of History, Classics and Archaeology. You’ll also be supplied with access to some basic audio equipment for the duration of your course.
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 such as:
- human and cultural geography
- English
- heritage studies
- media studies
Applicants with non-standard qualifications and/or an appropriate level of professional or voluntary experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis.
