Medieval and Early Modern Studies

BA Hons

  • UCAS code V125
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 16

    16th for History

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • Specialist placements in heritage organisations

  • Deepen your knowledge with a wide choice of optional modules

Why Lancaster?

  • Be inspired by our experts who specialise in a very wide range of topics, from the history of Celtic Britain to the rise of 17th century European empires
  • Dive deep – explore culture, politics, religion and language as you enhance your knowledge through our large choice of specialist modules
  • Advance your skills and experience by completing a heritage placement
  • Explore the vibrant history right on your doorstep – from Lancaster Castle to the monastic ruins around Morecambe Bay, this area is replete with evidence of the medieval and early modern periods. Not to mention the Viking hoards that have been discovered locally!
  • Focus on your future career at each stage of the programme, and access the support of our specialist advisers

Satisfy your curiosity about the world we live in today while investigating over a thousand years of history. You’ll explore the past, encounter diverse societies and gain insight into cultural changes, while building your personalised degree from our exceptional choice of modules.

Invaluable insights

We start this course by asking a vital question – how can history be pertinent to today? Studying medieval and early modern studies at Lancaster will allow you to delve into a very transformative period in history. You won’t just explore historical events from the years 300 to 1700 – you’ll also investigate shifts in culture, politics, religion and language.

The right academic team is key to your success. You’ll be taught by internationally renowned, prize-winning historians. Their insights underpin our modules, from the expansion of the British Empire to the lives of enslaved women in colonial Brazil. You might have even seen some appear on major national and international media speaking about their research.

Explore your interests

Studying in a department that is consistently ranked in the UK top twenty (Complete University Guide, 2024), you’ll find our attractive campus sits on the doorstep of many historical landmarks and scenes of pivotal events in history. From the monastic ruins around Morecambe Bay, to the dark history of Lancaster Castle and sites across the Lake District, you’ll be spoilt for choice when you want to explore the local area.

We focus on your future career at each stage of the programme. You could be completing a heritage placement at a regional museum, a conservation project with the National Trust, or perhaps you’d like to try your hand at digitising historical artefacts at our on-campus library. We also have an active history society. In recent years some students have taken part in theatrical early modern performances at Lancaster Castle, such as Edward III, Measure for Measure and Macbeth.

You'll also be able to join events and talks at our Centre for War and Diplomacy and the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies.

Careers

Careers

There is no set career path for a Medieval and Early Modern Studies graduate. Your global outlook is something employers will value, alongside your skills in problem solving, critical reasoning, source analysis and project management. Being able to think critically and communicate clearly will help you stand out too. This will keep you open to a variety of opportunities.

You’ll have the expertise needed for a rewarding career in:

  • Heritage organisations
  • Galleries, libraries, archives and museums
  • Education and teaching
  • Government and the civil service

A number of our recent graduates have found roles in journalism, publishing or business.

Some of our students also continue their journey in academia with a postgraduate degree, which can lead to employment in higher education and research councils.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

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

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

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

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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.

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