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MA European History

About the degree

This programme is designed to encourage students to pursue their interests in European history in depth and to obtain training specifically designed for undertaking research in European history.  Geographically, the degree deals with West, Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and regions such as Scandinavia and the Balkans.  It offers the opportunity to study European History in a cross-national perspective and at the same time to focus on specific European countries or regions.  There are optional courses on the history of single countries such as France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the Soviet Union among others.  Students are introduced to different theoretical, methodological and historiographical approaches of writing European history.  They are taught in several sub-disciplines of history and can choose options in areas including social and economic history, political history, cultural and intellectual history, gender history, diplomatic and military history.  The chronology of the various components covers the medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary periods.

Degree Structure

Students take a total of 180 credits, comprising of a dissertation (60 credits) and taught courses (totaling 120 credits). Most taught courses are either 15 (taught in term 1 or 2) or 30 credits (taught over both terms).

Students must choose the following:

1. Core course HISTGM01 (30 credits)

All students follow a specifically designed core course that examines meanings of Europe in the light of its contested history, the distinctiveness of the European experience, as well as different historiographies influential in the study of European history. The core course introduces students to different theoretical and methodological approaches, and aims to equip students with specific research skills. It includes introductions to special resources in and around London, such as the British Library, the Institute of Historical Research and the National Archives at Kew. 

• Find out more about the core course!
  

2. Language course (30 credits)

3. Further course options (60 credits)

Course available from a) the full History list or b) outside UCL at another member of the University of London's History Intercollegiate Sharing Scheme. This is subject to the approval of the MA tutor and the receiving college.

4. Dissertation HISTGE99 (60 credits)

All students produce a 10 - 12,000-word research dissertation on a topic in European history of a student's choice, written under the expert supervision of a UCL-based European historian.