University of Birmingham: School of History and Cultures
Why you should choose the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham
Join historians, classicists, archaeologists, Africanists, anthropologists, and heritage experts in our School of History and Cultures.
You’ll study at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
Benefit from our academic expertise in a range of specialisms.
History and Cultures
History
MA History – includes optional pathways in Medieval and Early Modern History, Global History, and Modern and Contemporary History
MA History and Politics
MA Military History (by distance learning)
MA History (by distance learning)
MRes History
PhD / MA by Research History
Heritage
MA International Heritage Management
MA International Heritage Management (by distance learning)
PhD / MA by Research Cultural Heritage
Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology
MA Antiquity (Classics and Ancient History pathway)
MRes Archaeology
MRes Classics and Ancient History
PhD / MA by Research Classics
PhD / MA by Research Archaeology
PhD / MA by Research Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies
African Studies and Anthropology
PhD or MA by Research African Studies
PhD or MA by Research African Studies and Anthropology
PhD or MA by Research Social Anthropology
Deepen your knowledge
At Birmingham, you'll learn from world-class talent. Our History and Classics departments are both in the Top 15 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026).
Our academics are teaching and researching your areas of interest.
You can:
- Immerse yourself in the histories of Britain, Europe and beyond on our MA History courses
- Debate how historical events inform current geopolitical issues on MA History and Politics
- Explore Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome on our MA Antiquity (Classics and Ancient History)
- Compare global heritage practices and how we can preserve the past for future generations on MA International Heritage Management
Flexible learning options
Study from anywhere in the world with our distance learning courses.
We offer two part time distance learning MA courses that you’ll study over two years:
- MA History (distance learning) - includes modules covering a range of historical periods so you can tailor the MA to your interests.
- MA Military History (distance learning) – benefit from the expertise of our Centre for War Studies from the comfort of home.
You can also study any of our PhD or MA by Research courses in the School of History and Cultures by distance learning.
Develop practical skills
We’re proud to be the UK university most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers for two years in a row (The Graduate Market in 2024 and 2025 High Fliers reports).
At Birmingham, you’ll put your knowledge into practice.
- Optional Public History and Heritage placement module on MA History campus course - you can work with organisations like museums, archives, or historic houses.
- Regular field trips to heritage sites like Ironbridge Gorge and the Wroxeter Roman City on our MA International Heritage Management courses. Campus and distance learning students attend trips to heritage sites across the UK.
“There were so many practical elements to my learning that I was able to apply directly into what I do on a day-to-day basis.”
Josh, MA International Heritage Management (distance learning) alum and the Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.
Available scholarships
We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships at the University of Birmingham to support your studies. Available scholarships include:
- College of Arts and Law Masters scholarship – tuition fee discount covering the UK tuition fee amount. Available to UK and International students studying any subject in the College of Arts and Law.
- Edna Pearson scholarship – for MA History courses only. Tuition fee discount up to the UK tuition fee amount. Available to UK and International students.
- High Fliers scholarship - £5,000 scholarship for international students from specific countries.
- Birmingham Masters scholarship - £3,000 tuition fee discount for UK students.
Closing dates vary per award – our College of Arts and Law Masters scholarship closes on 25 March 2026.
Ready to find out more?
Chat to staff and current postgraduate students in the School of History and Cultures at our next event.
