History

MA

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Use specialist facilities in our Digital Scholarship Lab

  • Learn from experts in our specialist research centres

  • World Top 50 Arts & Humanities THE World University Rankings 2024

Why Lancaster?

  • Study in a department with expertise that spans a wide range of subjects including medieval, medical and military history
  • Take a work placement at one of our prestigious heritage partners
  • Develop your skills at a foremost UK university that is one of the world leaders in corpus linguistics, spatial humanities, and military and international history
  • Broaden your career opportunities with our digital pathway in historical research and applied technologies
  • Collaborate with other Master’s students in our Digital Scholarship Lab, a state-of-the-art research space with specialist software and equipment

From the history of dictatorships and their impact on society, to how indigenous medicines were transported to Europe from the New World, this flexible degree will allow you to delve deep into the areas of history that interest you most.

A bespoke programme

At Lancaster University, you’ll be able to tailor your study by choosing from a wide range of historical subjects. This will allow you to specialise in the topics most important to you and to develop a unique combination of expertise.

With access to our world-leading researchers, you’ll gain insights from experts in the field in diverse areas ranging from Roman religion and medieval politics to digital humanities and histories of healthcare.

Perhaps you’re interested in researching the military history of North America? Or maybe how the bodies of women were affected under certain regimes? You’ll find the support needed to explore these and other topics from a teaching team active in research projects all over the world.

If you wish you can pursue a particular historical period or research specialism through one of two pathways (described in detail further down the page):

  • Medieval and Early Modern
  • Heritage

Alternatively, a bespoke History MA allows you to tailor your degree with a very wide range of modules.

A digital dynamic
As you study our MA History, you’ll have the chance to untangle how digital applications can be used to analyse and manage your historical research more effectively. From visualisation and data design, to geographic information retrieval - the technological skills and knowledge you gain from this course will prepare you for rewarding roles in a wide range of sectors.

Careers
This MA equips you with a valuable set of transferable skills in research and analysis. Whether you choose to take your academic career further by pursuing new research projects or to apply your expertise in the private and public sectors, you'll be prepared to succeed.

Graduates of this course go on to build rewarding careers in areas such as:

  • Cultural heritage management
  • Galleries, museums and archives
  • Research analysis
  • Project management
  • Geographic information systems
  • Digital librarianship

This Master's degree also puts graduates in a strong position to continue their studies at doctorate level and has helped many students progress to funded PhDs. Postgraduate study is a great opportunity to further your research and deepen your history expertise in a specific area.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in History, a related combined major or a degree in other related humanities disciplines.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £11,960 £5,980
International £24,830 £12,415

General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.