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Birkbeck, University of London: Medieval Studies

Institution Birkbeck, University of London View institution profile
Department School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication
Web http://www.bbk.ac.uk/
Telephone 0203 907 0700
Study type Taught

Summary

Our new MA Medieval Studies offers you the opportunity to encounter the Middle Ages from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including the study of:

  • literature

  • history

  • material culture

  • the visual arts.

At the heart of this medieval studies course is a core module that will introduce you to the most current scholarly approaches to the Middle Ages period. This module cuts across different fields to consider the riches of the medieval past from an integrated, holistic perspective, in which you will be guided by experts in interdisciplinary research methods.

In studying the medieval period, you will develop key research skills including paleography, transcription, manuscript provenance, identification and dating. You will also use modern theoretical frameworks to examine:

  • people

  • places

  • artistic productions

  • social patterns.

You can follow your interests with option modules in art history, archaeology, medieval literature and the Renaissance. You may also receive one-to-one support in writing a research essay on a topic of your choosing. Preparation for your dissertation is supported by a research methods module, which will hone the skills you need to complete your final research project.

This course is ideal for students approaching postgraduate study from a range of backgrounds. In addition to providing rigorous preparation for PhD research, it is equally well suited to the interests of the medieval enthusiast, those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Middle Ages and those who are returning to study to pursue a personal passion.

Highlights

  • The MA Medieval Studies offers you the only opportunity in London and the surrounding area to study the Middle Ages at postgraduate level through evening classes at university.

  • We have a thriving research culture, with student-led reading groups and a regular programme of major visiting speakers, including the Birkbeck Medieval Seminar and the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Worlds. We are also ideally situated for the best humanities research libraries in the capital, including the British Library, Senate House and the Warburg Institute.

  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research and 2nd for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

  • You can apply to one of our postgraduate funding schemes, including the Dean’s Awards, Peltz Scholarships and Master’s Bursaries.

Careers and employability

Graduates pursue career paths in research and archiving, museums and galleries, education and journalism. Possible professions include:

  • archivist

  • researcher

  • higher education lecturer

  • newspaper/magazine journalist

  • arts administrator.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

MA

Birkbeck, part of the University of London, offers nearly 300 taught and research postgraduate programmes across arts and humanities, business and economics, law, science and social science. As an evening teaching specialist, Birkbeck offers its taught postgraduate courses between 6-9pm, with some courses available through distance learning. As with undergraduate courses, postgraduates can study full-time or part-time.

Home to 44 research and specialist institutes, Birkbeck is the sixth largest provider of taught postgrad courses for UK and EU students - some 44% of its 11,000-plus students are on postgrad programmes. Around 90% of its academics are active in research, and …

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