Global and Imperial History MSt

University of Oxford

The MSt in Global and Imperial History offers a nine month introduction to graduate research. It is open to all students who have the desire to explore the history of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Australasia or the Americas (excluding the US) in a global perspective.

Global and imperial history in this context implies transoceanic and transcontinental connections, comparisons, and exchanges between cultures, polities and societies. It also examines broad patterns and systems in history, whether religious, political, economic, cultural or ecological.

Global history, in other words, is history with a global scope (often including European dimensions) that emphasises comparative perspectives. You are not expected to master the histories of multiple regions, but to use a global approach to cast light on your own research area.

Research training is combined with broad conceptual approaches that encourage students to learn from the recent historiographies of different periods and areas and with focused studies of periods or themes. All students will be encouraged to attend some of the faculty’s many advanced research seminars.

The MSt in Global and Imperial History can be taken either as a free-standing degree, or as the first step towards a DPhil. 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 course, so that you will be well placed to make a doctoral application.

Course structure

The course comprises a compulsory core course, an option subject course, and a research project:

• Core course: Concepts and Themes in Global and Imperial History, taught in weekly classes in Michaelmas term
• Option subject course: Taught in weekly classes in Hilary term
• Research project: You will work on your original research project throughout the course, under the guidance of your supervisor, and are expected to commit the Easter vacation and Trinity term to archival research and writing

More information on core and optional courses is available on course page of the faculty's website (see the Further information and enquiries section for further details). Please note that not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year, depending in part on levels of student demand.