Course details
- Entry requirements: 2:1 degree, relevant discipline
- Full-time: 12 months
- Part-time: 24 months
The Twentieth-Century History MA pathway focuses specifically on the major events of previous century, and how the world as we know it today can be better understood through the events of the time.
This absorbing MA gives you the opportunity to study and reflect on major twentieth-century events, such as total war, the rise and fall of communism, the collapse of the European empires, the changing place of women in western society and the decline of traditional religious belief.
Through this programme’s modules and the Department of History’s academic expertise, you will have the opportunity to view these events through the lens of different regions, approaches and thematic interest, enabling you to develop a unique insight into their impact and importance and formalise that through your own dissertation at the end of the programme.
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.
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 twentieth century history and its major events, who wish to learn and understand more about their impact on different areas of modern-day society such as gender, religion, politics and more.
Through this course, you will:-
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
International students may be able to study this course on a part-time basis but this is dependent on visa regulations. Please visit the Government website for more information about student visas.
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.
This module examines key moments in roughly the first half of the history of the twentieth century and interrogates them to see if, and how, they illuminate broader trends and themes (political, social, economic and intellectual) in twentieth century history. It focuses on the concrete and the empirical, but requires students to interpret the events of the selected years in terms of the ‘big ideas’ about developments in twentieth century history.
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.
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.
In Semester two, as well as the compulsory modules, students are required to take 15 credits of optional modules. This is regardless of the pathway chosen in Semester one.
The History MA dissertation HIST550 is submitted during the summer period.
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.
The module aims to encourage students to familiarise themselves with what happened during roughly the second half of the hundred years of the twentieth century and consider the extent to which the century can be seen as a discrete period or series of periods, and, if so, how that period (or those periods) might be characterised; The module invites students to familiarise themselves with some of the concepts that have been developed by historians and social scientists to understand it. Was it, for example, the century of the battle of ideologies of Left and Right as Hobsbawm argues, or was democracy, as Mazower suggests, altogether more fragile and rarely achieved throughout its course?
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.
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.
The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.
This module requires students to engage with contemporary forms of exploitation often categorised as ‘slavery’, to consider the origins and human experience of such activities, to assess proposals for combating them, and to apply these to an independent research project. Seminars will challenge students to analyse the major themes in legal and political responses to trafficking, forced labour and other forms of human rights abuse analogous to slavery. Students will develop strategies for researching practices and policies relating to contemporary ‘slaveries’ and they will develop an independent study of a particular aspect.
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.
Narrative Inquiry represents an innovation in social research methodologies. It has proven particularly important for advancing how social scientists seek to understand constructions of meaning, the role of memory and the importance of temporality and identity. This module will introduce the student to key theoretical and methodological principles in conducting narrative research focusing primarily on interviewing. This module is an option for the Masters in Social Research Methods, and is also open for non-credited attendance to all postgraduate students in the university.
This module is a comprehensive introduction to applied statistical analysis of survey data using software to understand and compare social attitudes across population strata and geographical regions, such as e.g. regions in the UK, or countries in Europe. A particular emphasis of this module is on regression models as tools to understand and compare statistical relationships between social indicators, region and social attitudes.
This five-credit training module will introduce students to both the theory and practice of Oral History in which we will be discussing the ideas behind this methodology and how it might be applied to and used within a research project. The module will be in the form of a day-long workshop and will consist of a number of introductory talks to various themes, group exercises and discussions as well as feedback sessions involving staff and students.
The History MA dissertation HIST550 is submitted during the summer period, following the Feasibility Study module (HIST504) taken in Semester two.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
After talking to employers and going to interviews, the greatest skill a historian possesses is their analytical ability. The ability to critically assess information and process it efficiently and effectively really gives you an edge over other degrees. The course involves a huge amount of reading and after years of learning to read effectively and efficiently, you’ll be perfectly placed to go into jobs and look at information or data in ways others can’t.
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Our programmes are designed to provide students with a wide range of transferable skills. 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.
Possible career prospects
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
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Full-time place, per year | £10,150 |
Part-time place, per year | £5,075 |
International fees | |
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Full-time place, per year | £21,400 |
Part-time place, per year | £10,700 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about tuition fees, funding and Postgraduate Loans.
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.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help cover tuition fees and help with living expenses while at university.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
My qualifications are from: United Kingdom.
Your qualification | Requirements |
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Postgraduate entry requirements |
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 our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. 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 at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language. International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification | Requirements |
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GCSE | C |
IELTS |
C View our IELTS academic requirements key. |
International Baccalaureate |
Standard Level(Grade 5) |
INDIA Standard XII | 70% or above from Central and Metro State Boards |
WAEC | C4-6 |
Hong Kong use of English AS level | C |
Cambridge Proficiency | C |
Discover more about the city and University.
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.
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Dr Myriam Wilks-Heeg
Last updated 19 April 2023 / / Programme terms and conditions /