MA PG Dip PG Cert History

A 2:1 honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification is required.

Consideration will be given to those who hold a lower classification who can demonstrate they are capable of performing at the level required to complete the course successfully.

https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-finance/current-postgraduate-fees

The MRes in History offers students an opportunity to develop skills suitable for a range of careers, ranging from teaching and journalism through to the heritage industry and beyond.

The programme also provides an excellent grounding in the historical discipline for those looking to undertake MPhil or PhD research in history.

Programme Structure

Research Methods and Skills in History

This module examines the skills and methodologies required for advanced historical research. Its overall aim and purpose is to prepare students for writing extended essays and dissertations. To this end, the first part of the module focuses on the structure and principles that underpin a good history dissertation. The second part examines how to use working bibliographies and to write a literature review. The third strand of the module delves into the practicalities of using major research libraries and institutions. Fourth, the module pays considerable attention to the values and limitations of different types of source material. Finally, at the end of the module, students will have an opportunity to present their project plans both orally and in written form.

Approaches to Historiography

This module introduces students to key debates and developments that have shaped, and, in many cases, continue to shape the writing of history. In this way, the module provides a broad framework for understanding the evolution of the historical discipline in modern times. Consideration will be given to various historiographical issues ranging from environmental and political history through to the use of gender and memory theories in the examination of the past. Weekly lectures will give a general overview of each debate, which will then be followed up by tutorials.

Research Dissertation

Each student researches and writes a 28,000-word dissertation on an aspect of history that relates to the Department’s specialisms. In researching their dissertations, students will spend time working in archives, libraries and other repositories to ensure that they have a sizeable primary source base to work from. Although the supervisor will offer considerable intellectual and practical guidance, the dissertation itself is based largely upon independent research.