History MPhil

University of Oxford

MSt

The MSt in History aims to improve your practical and intellectual grasp of research processes, ability to conceptualise and engage with historical problems, and enlarge your understanding of the historical and historiographical context within which your own research is set.

The MSt in History is an umbrella programme, comprising nine specific strands:

• Medieval History
• Early Modern History, 1500-1700
• British and European History, 1700-1850
• Modern British History, 1850 to the Present
• Modern European History, 1850 to the Present
• US History
• Intellectual History
• History of War
• Women's, Gender and Queer History

All students apply for, and follow, a specific strand, taking compulsory core courses and an optional subject course, as well as undertaking an original research project. This structure gives access to a wide range of both general and specialised training within the field of history.

• Core courses: You will take two core courses in Sources and Historiography, and Theory and Methods. They are taught through introductory lectures, and weekly classes, during Michaelmas term.
• Optional subject course: You will choose one option course from a list and this will be taught in six weekly classes during Hilary term.
• Research project: An original research project, worked on throughout the course, under the guidance of your supervisor. Students are expected to commit the Easter vacation and Trinity term to archival research and writing. All students are invited to present and receive feedback on your work-in-progress at a workshop specific to this programme at the start of Trinity term.

Please note that not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year.

The programme may be studied in full-time or part-time mode, but cannot be undertaken on a distance-learning basis.

MPhil

The MPhil in History is an innovative and intensive two-year course that provides a thorough training in historical methods. It offers a range of specialist options that draw on the latest research, and includes a sustained period devoted to archival research and writing.

The MPhil open to students with interests in any period of British, European or American history (which may also include non-European elements, eg European expansion, empire building or emigration). Those primarily interested in other parts of the world may like to consider the MSt in Global and Imperial History. The course will encourage you to develop practical and intellectual familiarity with advanced research in British, American and/or continental European history. It can serve either as free-standing master’s course or as comprehensive preparation for DPhil research in the fields of history within its scope. 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 second year, so that you will be well placed to make a doctoral application.

You will have access to a comprehensive menu of skills training for graduate students, as well as a systematic schedule of introductions to the unrivalled research facilities of the University of Oxford, and will be encouraged to develop key research skills: these may include the ability to read and interpret manuscript sources, and competence in Latin or modern foreign languages. Please see the faculty website for further details (see the Further information and enquiries section).