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Early Modern History MLitt
The Masters in Early Modern History provides you with thorough research training, an outstanding learning experience, and a wide set of transferable skills in the conception, design and execution of a research project. You will combine training in historical skills and methods with the wide range of world expertise in early modern history. Whether you are looking to pursue your own historical interests or preparing for a PhD, Glasgow offers a lively and friendly environment, which is led and supported by internationally regarded historians.
- Glasgow offers a wide range of world-leading expertise for historians seeking to specialise in the study of the early modern period. Our early modern interests extend to England, Scotland, France, Scandinavia, the Low Countries, Italy and North America, and range from the late 15th to late 18th centuries. Our methodologies are drawn from social, political and cultural history.
- In the most recent independent review of research quality (RAE 2008), History at Glasgow was placed in the top two Scottish universities and in the top ten of the prestigious UK Russell Group.
- You will enjoy ready access to the Baillie Collection, our prized collection of printed medieval and modern sources in Scottish, Irish and English history. The collection also offers printed state papers, Historical Manuscript Commission publications and a select collection of modern monographs.
- Our programme has strong links with the University's Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, giving you access to primary source material including an enormous collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, coins, books, manuscripts and ethnography.
- A regular Early Modern Research Seminar brings together staff, PhD and Masters students on an informal basis, including eminent active scholars with continuing attachments to history.
Programme overview
- MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
All of our History Masters are built around a hands-on research training course, a core course on how the discipline has evolved and other courses focusing on your technical skills and other abilities like languages and palaeography.
If you choose to study Early Modern History, there will be a guided selection of courses that will provide you with the specialised knowledge in that field. You will be taught through a series of seminars and workshops. Internationally recognised historians give guest lectures throughout the year.
In the final part of the programme, you will select a specialised topic and conduct original primary source research for your dissertation. You are supported in your research and writing up by an assigned supervisor with expertise in your field of inquiry.
Core courses
- Research resources and skills for historians
- Approaches to history.
Optional courses
Course options may include
- Renaissance and anti-Renaissance in Italy and the Low Countries
- Politics and literature in Jacobean Scotland
- Print, public opinion and Enlightenment in 18th-century Europe
- The History of Medicine I: studies in the History of medicine before 1850
- Saints and sinners (early modern England)
- Reformation! Europe in the age of religious wars.
The courses taught each year vary depending upon staff availability.
To widen your approach and develop an interdisciplinary perspective, you are also strongly encouraged to take one or two complementary courses in cognate subjects, such as
- Early modern warfare
- Climate and civilisation
- Lessons from the greats
- Decline and fall: organisational failure, ancient and modern
- The authority of the state and duties of the citizen.
Courses in Scottish literature, English literature, theology, history of art and other College of Arts subjects can also be studied, by agreement with the programme convener.
Career prospects
Apart from continuing to study a PhD, you can transfer the arts research skills and methods you learn on this programme to positions in the public and private sectors, such as heritage, policy and projects, journalism and teaching.
This programme is subject to approval.
Further information: Dr Don Spaeth
email: Don.Spaeth@glasgow.ac.uk
Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.
Note: a short (one paragraph) statement of interest is also required.
English language
If your first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. See English Language Requirements.
Further information regarding entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk
We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.
You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.
Apply now