Medieval History

The MSc in Medieval History at the University of Oxford offers students a comprehensive exploration of the medieval period, spanning from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance. This rigorous programme is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the political, social, economic, religious, and cultural developments that shaped Europe and beyond during the Middle Ages. Through a combination of core courses, optional modules, and independent research, students will engage with a wide array of sources, including contemporary texts, archaeological findings, and visual culture, to analyze the diverse facets of medieval history.

The programme emphasizes critical analysis, scholarly research skills, and a broad contextual knowledge, equipping students to interpret the complex interactions between different societies and institutions during this period. Students will have access to the university’s extensive archives, libraries, and digitized resources, facilitating a rich learning environment. The teaching faculty comprises leading historians with expertise in various regions and themes of the medieval era, ensuring high academic standards and inspiring mentorship.

Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests through individual dissertation projects, which allow them to investigate specific topics in greater depth. The programme also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from archaeology, art history, theology, and literature, to foster a holistic understanding of medieval life and thought.

Graduates of the MSc in Medieval History will be well-prepared for careers in academia, research, education, or heritage management. The programme’s comprehensive curriculum and research orientation also serve as an excellent foundation for further postgraduate study, including doctoral research. With its distinguished faculty, rigorous curriculum, and access to world-class resources, the MSc in Medieval History at Oxford provides an exceptional environment for students passionate about uncovering the complexities of the medieval world and contributing to ongoing scholarly debates.

This course can be taken as a free-standing degree course or as the first step to a DPhil.

The course balances taught courses and independent research. The aim of the course is to enable you to understand the way your work fits in to the wider developments of the subject in the last fifty years; to be critical of those developments; to understand in depth one major research field; to learn or improve a non-English language (usually Latin); and to write a developed piece of original work. You will construct the contents and work pattern of the research element of the degree in close and regular discussion with their supervisor. 

All medievalists will be offered Latin language training and are invited to attend a faculty-sponsored pre-sessional Latin class, which will then be supplemented by term-time teaching. If you are not registering for the pre-sessional classes you will be assessed for your basic competence in reading Latin texts at the start of Michaelmas term, and in appropriate cases again in early March. These tests are not part of the assessment for the degree; they serve to indicate how far you need to make further progress in the study of the language in order to undertake competent research in the field of medieval history. Weekly classes for those who need to improve their Latin will be available throughout the three academic terms of the year. Teaching is also available for a wide variety of medieval and modern languages, including medieval Celtic and Germanic languages.

Teaching and examination comprise:

• a core seminar, meeting weekly in Michaelmas term, which will concentrate on the various approaches to medieval history of historians in the last fifty years
• a daily class for the first four weeks of Michaelmas term on the history of script in the middle ages and reading medieval documents
• an optional paper, meeting weekly during Hilary term, which will allow the exploration of a specific period and/or theme of medieval history of the student's choice - you will be expected to submit one essay of between 8,000 and 10,000 words based on this course
• a weekly seminar in Trinity term to which you will be expected to make a presentation.
• submission of a dissertation of up to 15,000 words on your own research topic

Please note that not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year, depending in part on levels of student demand. Full details of core and optional papers available are available on the course webpage.

If you wish to apply for the DPhil you will be encouraged to develop your master's and doctoral research proposals in tandem during the first few months, so that you will be well placed to make a doctoral application.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a relevant discipline in the humanities or social sciences.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.75 out of 4.0.

Applicants are normally expected to have a previous degree in history, but for master's applications a number of candidates will be accepted without. You will need to ensure that you link your proposed dissertation topic with your previous expertise when you present it in your research proposal, or that you explain why you want to switch to study history, and to show that you have already done some background research into it. Your submitted written work should show your writing and research skills in their best light, as it will be important to show that you have the necessary skills required for historical research.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement: 500 to 1,000 words, typically two to four pages double-spaced
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each or one essay of 4,000 to 5,000 words
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Ertegun Scholarship Programme

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Medieval History at the University of Oxford is a highly regarded postgraduate program that provides students with an in-depth understanding of the history of the medieval period, roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of medieval European history, encompassing political, social, cultural, religious, and economic developments. Students will have the opportunity to study a wide range of topics including the transformation of the Roman Empire, the Carolingian Renaissance, the Crusades, the rise of medieval states, the influence of the Church, and the development of medieval art and literature. The program is designed for students who wish to develop advanced research skills and undertake an independent project or thesis, which forms a central component of the course. It typically lasts for one year full-time or two years part-time.

The curriculum combines taught modules, seminars, and tutorials, allowing students to engage closely with leading academics in the field of medieval history. Students can choose from a variety of optional courses tailored to their specific interests, including special topics in medieval history, palaeography, Latin, or medieval archaeology. Assessment methods include coursework, presentations, and a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words, demonstrating the student's capacity for original research and critical analysis.

Applicants are usually required to hold a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record in history or a related discipline. Knowledge of Latin and/or other medieval languages is advantageous but not always mandatory. The program also offers opportunities for participating in interdisciplinary research and attending lectures and conferences organized within the university's medieval studies community.

The University of Oxford provides a vibrant academic environment and access to extensive library resources, including the Bodleian Libraries' special collections relevant to medieval studies. Graduates of the program typically pursue careers in academia, research, museums, cultural heritage management, or related fields where expertise in medieval history is valued. The program's rigorous training, combined with the university’s reputation, prepares students for further research leading to a doctoral degree or careers in scholarly and public history sectors.