The Cultural History pathway encourages you to investigate artefacts and ideas, material objects and mentalities, medical documents and museums, photographs and films and explore key themes that have shaped the past, including national identity, gender, race, sexuality and modernity.
Introduction
On this absorbing MA programme you’ll study one of the most exciting fields of historical inquiry; cultural history examines the culture of the time in order to understand how people made sense of the world they inhabited. It will introduce you to the specialist research methods used by cultural historians, to ongoing historiographical and theoretical debates and to related disciplines such as cultural studies, literary studies, history of art and sociology. You will also get the opportunity to explore the area of cultural history that interests you most in your dissertation.
The MA draws together case studies from across Britain and continental Europe, the European empires and North America from the eighteenth century to the present day.
Please note: when applying for this programme, please choose ‘MA History’ on the online application form. You should specify the specific pathway which you wish to study in your personal statement.
Who is this course for?
This programme will appeal to a wide range of students, including those who’ve recently graduated in History or a related discipline or have decided to return to university later in life. The structure of the course provides a good grounding for those intending to proceed to doctoral research.
It will appeal particularly to those with a keen interest in understanding the culture of time, and who have an interest in history through the lens of sociology, culture, art and literature.
What you'll learn
Taking the Cultural History MA will:
Deepen your understanding of the cultural history of Britain and its Empire, continental Europe and North America since the eighteenth century
Encourage you to think about a broad range of questions and debates in cultural history
Allow you to engage with current debates on such themes as gender, modernity, national identity, sexuality and the politics of culture
Give you the chance to work closely with a dynamic group of scholars who themselves research and write about the cultural history of Britain, continental Europe, colonialism and North America.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
If you're able to study part-time, you'll
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Studying part-time means you can study alongside work or any
other life commitments. You will
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Semester one
As well as compulsory modules in Semester one, students must choose up to 30 credits in optional modules.
For semester two, alongside compulsory modules, students must choose up to 15 credits in optional modules.
HIST 550, Dissertation, is undertaken and completed during the summer term.
Optional modules are taken from an approved list of modules available from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and can be provided on request to the pathway contact.
Compulsory modules
THEMES IN CULTURAL HISTORY (HIST516)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 1
In this module students will explore ‘Themes in Cultural History’ by examining the contributions of five key academic texts. In weekly two-hour seminars we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of a number of different approaches to cultural history and engage in the critical evaluation of these historical texts. Seminars are based on roundtable discussion, in conjunction with informal, mini-lectures and group work, designed to develop students’ critical awareness of ongoing historiographical and theoretical debates, as well as the broad themes and approaches associated with cultural history.
Optional modules
HISTORICAL RESEARCH (HIST527)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Historians draw many of their theoretical frameworks from the social sciences, including sociology,economics, and political science, and from literary and gender studies. This module investigates the role of theory in historical inquiry, both in framing research questions and in informing historians’ approaches to primary sources. It explores some of the major theoretical influences on historical research in recent decades, including Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism, and encourages students to reflect upon the theoretical and conceptual foundations of current research relating to their potential dissertation topics.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH (HIST507)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 1
Historians draw many of their theoretical frameworks from the social sciences, including sociology, economics, and political science, and from literary and gender studies. This module investigates the role of theory in historical inquiry, both in framing research questions and in informing historians’ approaches to primary sources. It explores some of the major theoretical influences on historical research in recent decades, including Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism, and encourages students to reflect upon the theoretical and conceptual foundations of current research relating to their potential dissertation topics.
Using the Science Fiction Archive (ENGL730)
Credits: 5 /
Semester: semester 1
Using examples from the Science Fiction Foundation Collection and science fiction archives in the University Library’s Special Collections and Archives, this module will introduce the use of archival materials in understanding how modern Science Fiction developed as a unique interaction of authors, editors, and readers. Through books, magazines, fanzines, convention publications, and the archives of authors such as John Wyndham and Olaf Stapledon, it will investigate how Science Fiction examines the present through imaginary futures, and how it developed identity and independent scholarship through magazines, fanzines, and fan gatherings. It will explore how themes like "the future" or "otherness" are constructed and how alien locations or futures can express hopes, aspirations and fears, and how these meanings might differ over decades.
Science Fiction and the Contemporary (ENGL731)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 1
Science Fiction texts are, for all their presentations of alternative worlds, deeply embedded in the cultures that produce them. As such, Science Fiction exhibits a fundamental concern over what the “contemporary” is and what it means, balancing precariously between “then” and “now”, and even querying what those terms mean. In this module, we will examine various modern Science Fiction texts that engage with the issue of the contemporary, including authors such as Margaret Atwood, China Miéville, and Alastair Reynolds, and explore areas such as utopias and dystopias, temporality, speculating on the present, re-imagining the past, future histories,and apocalypse.
MEDIA, CULTURE AND THE CITY (COMM320)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: first semester
This module examines the different ways that cities and urban life are represented, experienced, and engaged with as mediated spaces. The course introduces a wide range of key perspectives and debates on cities from across the film, media and cultural studies literature. It explores how cities are the product of multiple mediations and practices and that these both shape the city as a space of representation (e.g. in films, advertising, maps, television dramas, museums, etc.), and are embedded in the material fabric of the city itself (e.g. cinemas, billboards, urban screens, location filming, mobile/locative screen media, etc). By focusing on the mediated city, the module does not limit its analysis to specific media texts and practices but seeks instead to explore the mediation of cities from a number of strategic perspectives.
MEDIA AND HUMAN RIGHTS (COMM724)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module studies human rights through the lens of the media in order to critically understand the changing nature of human rights representation and the role media play in representing and responding to critical human rights issues. The module explores the interconnections between media and human rights focusing on media and human rights theory, policy and practice and exploring both historical developments and contemporary issues. In particular, the implications of the global media in the current information age for a range of key human rights issues are analysed. Among the issues that will be reviewed are terrorism and war on terror, freedom of speech, human trafficking, asylum and immigration, torture and genocide, humanitarian intervention.
Media, Culture and Everyday Life (COMM733)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module explores the role and impact of cultures of communication and media in the digital age, focusing in particular on questions of modernity, identity and everyday experience. Drawing on debates in media and cultural studies, anthropology and sociology, and cultural geography, the module provides a detailed critical overview of perspectives that variously confront the challenges, opportunities and disorientations posed by digital media and communication technologies. The module explores issues such as: experience and memory, self hood, identity and the body; travel, mobility and space; changing experiences of time, the past and memory. The module offers a reflexive understanding of the role of digital technologies and media in contemporary social and cultural life. It also provides students with critical tools to navigate with the complex and multifaceted ‘mediascapes’ that shape the way we experience, consume and engage with an increasingly borderless and mobile world.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester two
As well as compulsory modules in Semester one, students must choose up to 30 credits in optional modules.
For semester two, alongside compulsory modules, students must choose up to 15 credits in optional modules.
HIST 550, Dissertation, is undertaken and completed during the summer term.
Optional modules are taken from an approved list of modules available from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and can be provided on request to the pathway contact.
Compulsory modules
SOURCES OF CULTURAL HISTORY (HIST520)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 2
This module explores ‘Sources in Cultural History’ by introducing students to a broad range of sources associated with the study of cultural history, including aspects of oral history, visual culture, film and the mass media, and written texts. In weekly two-hour seminars we will explore a variety of key texts that engage with a number of different primary sources, developing a critical awareness of the interpretive problems and possibilities associated with certain source materials. Seminars are based on roundtable discussion, in conjunction with informal, mini-lectures and group work, designed to explore ongoing historiographical and theoretical debates over approaches to and interpretations of primary sources.
FEASIBILITY STUDY (HIST504)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The Feasibility Study is an extended research proposal for the subsequent MA Dissertation. The study should therefore be focused on the topic that the student proposes to address in their dissertation. The Feasibility Study is designed to ensure that students are able to undertake their dissertation project successfully. It will ensure that they are well prepared when they start writing thier dissertation over the summer.
Optional modules
THEMES IN HISTORY (HIST590)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module provides students with an advanced understanding of a variety of approaches to history, across a number of geographical and chronological settings. With a focus on comparison, local / global perspectives and forms of circulation, students are encouraged to think not only about differences and similarities between thematic approaches to history, but also to consider competing research questions, different methodologies and conceptual definitions.
Postmodernism (ENGL727)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module explores the principal debates about literary and cultural postmodernism. Using both fiction and non-fiction texts, the module tracks, the development of postmodern writing and culture throughout the second half of the twentieth century, and considers recent debates over the possible end of postmodernism in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Specific topics covered will include 1960s postmodern fiction (such as Thomas Pynchon), 1980s post modern writing (such as Bret Easton Ellis), and 1990s “late-postmodern” writing (David Foster Wallace) as well as cultural and theoretical ideas of postmodernism from theorists such as Fredric Jameson and Jean Baudrillard.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Final project
As well as compulsory modules in Semester one, students must choose up to 30 credits in optional modules.
For semester two, alongside compulsory modules, students must choose up to 15 credits in optional modules.
HIST 550, Dissertation, is undertaken and completed during the summer term.
Optional modules are taken from an approved list of modules available from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and can be provided on request to the pathway contact.
Compulsory modules
DISSERTATION (HIST550)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
Sessions on research skills and methodologies will be held as part of the core modules offered by History. MA students will discuss the feasibility of their chosen topic and the implementation of the research with a member of staff with the appropriate knowledge and understanding of the proposed topic during the period June to September. MARM students will have tutorial sessions and produce a feasibility study as part of the preparation for the dissertation before formal supervision begins in the period June to September.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
How you'll learn
Most modules, except HIST504, take the form of small seminar groups, supplemented by independent study. Most seminars are weekly two-hour sessions, and all are taught in small groups. We consider small group teaching essential to the learning and teaching experience at postgraduate level. Students lead discussions in class, and receive guidance on further reading from the module tutor.
The Feasibility Study (HIST504) and Dissertation (HIST550) demands a higher degree of independence, with guidance and advice from a dedicated supervisor through up to five 45 minute meetings.
How you're assessed
Ongoing assessment is linked to work done primarily in seminars and through individual tutorials and supervisions.
Written assessments will vary according to the nature of the modules, research project and the needs of the student, but may include source analyses, written reports, critical reviews, feasibility studies, annotated bibliographies, historiographical review essays and formal research proposals.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The Department of History is based in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, an ornate Georgian property located on historic Abercromby Square. Students have access to extensive library facilities, special collections, and Liverpool’s renowned museums, libraries, and galleries, including the University’s own Special Collections and Archives.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why History at University of Liverpool?
we have a breath of expertise and knowledge that spans the medieval, early modern and modern periods and research across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. We are here to support you in your specific research interests.
We have active seminar programmes, linked to our research centres and MA programmes, enabling staff and postgraduates to present their work and listen to eminent visiting speakers.
Dedicated small group teaching in seminars or workshops and through one-to-one tutorials, we believe this leads to the best collaboration between students and staff
Students have a voice here and are represented on the School Postgraduate Committee. There is also a dedicated staff – student liaison committee to oversee our MA and PhD programmes.
What students say...
The History department here at the University of Liverpool offers a range of different modules ranging from Irish Vikings to the history of Chinese medicine. By studying the broad topics available, you will become more familiar with concepts about race, gender, religion, politics and anything else you might be interested in, as we are encouraged to explore our interests, especially during research projects like the dissertation at the end of the course. During my Masters degree, the history department has also allowed me to take modules from other departments such as English & Communications and the Sociology departments, which has been great to look at my dissertation topic from a different standpoint. This also shows how well the University as a whole can work together to expand the opportunities available to students.
Our History taught programmes are designed to meet the training requirements of the AHRC and the ESRC so equip you for further study towards an MPhil/PhD.
However, our MA students go into a wide range of professions, including media, public sector management, business consultancy, the civil service, NGO and development work, as well as academia.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£10,150
Part-time place, per year
£5,075
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£21,400
Part-time place, per year
£10,700
Fees stated are for the 2023-24 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
To apply for one of our History MA programmes you should normally have a BA in History, Ancient History, English Literature, Modern Languages, Art History, Classics Politics, Sociology or a related discipline (UK classification 2:1 or above, or international equivalent).
A Personal Statement which clearly demonstrates an interest in the programme and an understanding of the context of the programme is also required.
Applicants may be called to interview and, if so, will be asked to submit a sample of their historical analysis (between 1500 and 2500 words) written in English for discussion during the interview. Please note that being asked to interview is no guarantee of an offer of a place.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet the entry requirements for a master’s degree at Liverpool, a pre-master’s, delivered by our partner, University of Liverpool International College, can help you gain a place. Although there’s no direct pre-master’s route to this MA, completing a pre-master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses which may interest you.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
