British and European History from 1500 to the Present

The MSt in British and European History, from 1500 to the Present, aims to improve your practical and intellectual grasp of research processes, ability to conceptualise and engage with historical problems, and enlarge your understanding of the historical and historiographical context within which your own research is set. You will have access to a wide range of both generic and subject-specific training within the field. This course may be studied in full-time or part-time mode.

This master's course is open to all students whose research focuses on post-medieval Britain and Europe (which may also include non-European elements, for example European expansion, Empire building or emigration). The course will encourage you to develop practical and intellectual familiarity with advanced research in both British and continental European history. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of a foreign language in parallel to your course work.

About a quarter of master’s students proceed to doctoral work at Oxford; others continue academic study at other institutions. Other career destinations are as diverse as, but broadly in line with, undergraduate history career destinations: law, finance, management consultancy, civil service etc.

Full-time study

The full-time programme offers a nine-month introduction to graduate research. It is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to build upon their undergraduate studies through one year of further study, and also those hoping to proceed to doctoral work. The latter will be encouraged to develop their master’s and doctoral proposals in tandem during the first few months, so that they will be well placed to make doctoral applications in January. You will be invited to present and receive feedback on your work-in-progress at a conference specific to this programme at the start of Trinity term.

Part-time study

The part-time programme offers a 21-month introduction to graduate research. It is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to build upon their undergraduate studies, and also for those who hope to take up doctoral research. The latter will be encouraged to develop their doctoral proposals alongside their work for the master’s programme at the start of their second year, so that they will be well-placed to make doctoral applications. You will be invited to present (and receive feedback on) your work-in-progress at a conference specific to this programme in your second year. Please refer to the course webpage for further details about the part-time structure of the course. 

This course cannot be undertaken on a distance-learning basis. 

Teaching and examination comprise:

• an introductory methodology course, comprising weekly classes on ‘Sources and Resources’ and on ‘Theory and Methods’ during Michaelmas term, complemented by your work with your supervisor on the individual research element of the programme
• an optional subject, taught in eight weekly classes during Hilary term
• a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic falling within the scope of this MSt, usually within the historical period of your optional subject. 

You are expected to commit the Easter vacation and the first seven weeks of Trinity term to your work on finalising the dissertation, but you will begin developing a research strategy in conjunction with your supervisor from October.

If you wish to apply for the DPhil you will be encouraged to develop your doctoral proposal in consultation with your supervisor during the first few months of your master's course, so that you will be well placed to make a doctoral application.

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.

You will have access to a comprehensive menu of skills training for graduate students, as well as a systematic schedule of introductions to the unrivalled research facilities of the University of Oxford. If necessary for your project, you will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of a foreign language in parallel to your course work.

You should not apply to both the MSt and MPhil in this research area. Both courses have the same entry requirements.

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, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships