Department of History & School of History, Religions and Philosophies

MA History and Intensive Language

Key information

Duration
Two years (full-time), four years (part-time)
Start of programme
September
Attendance mode
Full-time or part-time
Location
On campus
Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Entry requirements

Afghanistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 3.0

Albania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): First Level Diploma (Diploma e nivelit te para) (3 Years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10

Algeria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence; Diplome de [subject area]; Diplome d'Etudes Superieures; Diplome de Docteur end Pharmacie; or Diplome de Docteur en Medecine from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12/20

Antigua and Barbuda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Argentina: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo/ Grado de Licenciado/ Titulo de [subject area] (minimum 4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6/10 or Bueno 

Information for prospective students from Argentina

Australia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 / Credit / 60%

Information for prospective students from Australia

Austria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0 and overall Pass (Bestanden)

Azerbaijan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Bakalavr Diplomu) from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 3.5

Bahamas: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Bahrain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 74% or 2.67

Information for prospective students from Bahrain

Bangladesh: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution OR 4 Year Bachelor's degree from SELECTED institutions

Equivalent to 2:ii: Masters: 55% or 2.7. Bachelor: 60% or 3.0

Information for prospective students from Bangladesh

Belgium: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licentiaat (Flanders) or Licencié (Wallonia). Post 2005 Bachelor/Bachelier 180 ECT degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or 12/20 (Flanders); or 65% (Wallonia). Bachelor:  60% or 12/20 

Information for prospective students from Belgium

Bolivia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado or Título de [subject area] from a recognised institution. Minimum of 4 year

Equivalent to 2:ii: 67%

Information for prospective students from Belgium

Botswana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (minimum 5 years) or Master Degree from the University of Botswana

Equivalent to 2:ii: C / 60% / 2:2

Brazil: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Bacharel / Título de [subject area] / Título de Licenciado/a (4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5 or 65%

Information for prospective students from Brazil

Brunei: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Honours) from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons; 50% / 3.5 out of 5.0

Information for prospective students from Brunei

Bulgaria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.0/6.0

Information for prospective students from Bulgaria

Burkina Faso: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies. Diplome d'Etudes Superieures Specialisees

Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20

Burma / Myanmar: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: B- or 55% or 3.0/5.0 or 2.5/4.0

Cambodia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or 2.7/4.0

Cameroon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme d'Ingénieur/ Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Commerce (5 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12 (assez bien) or 2.5. 70-74/ B+

Canada: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7 or 67%

Information for prospective students from Canada

Chile: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Grado de Licenciado en [subject area] or Titulo (Professional) de [subject area] (min 4 years) from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 5.0/7

China Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4 years) 学士学位 from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70-75% or 2.5-2.9/4.0 (depending on university)

Information for prospective students from China

Colombia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado en [subject area] or Titulo de [subject area] (minimum 4 years) from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Information for prospective students from Colombia

Croatia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Baccalaureus / Baccalaurea (Bachelor's degree) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/5.0

Cuba: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo de Licenciado/ Arquitecto/ Doctor/ Ingeniero from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Cyprus: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.0/10 or 2.7/4.0

Czech Republic: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from the Czech Republic

Denmark: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 5/12 or 6/13 

Information for prospective students from the Denmark

Dominica: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Dominican Republic: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Licenciado/Título de [subject] upon completion of 4-year Licenciatura 

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%  or 6.5/10

Ecuador: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from recognised university

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% / 7 

Egypt: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from recognised university

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or 2.7/4.0

Information for prospective students from Egypt

Estonia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised institution; University Specialist's Diploma; Professional Higher Education Diploma

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/5.0 or C

Ethiopia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from recognised public or HERQA-accredited private institution 

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/5.0

Fiji: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4 years) from the University of the South Pacific

Equivalent to 2:ii: B/3.0

Finland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor/Kandidaatti/Kandidat (180 ECTS credits) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/4.0 or 1.4/3.0

France: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Grade de Licence from a recognised institution OR three years of study from a grande école 

Equivalent to 2:ii: 11/20

Information for prospective students from France

Gambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): 2-year Master's degree from recognised university

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4.3 or 60%

Georgia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Bakalavris Khariskhi) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 71%/C/ Good

Germany: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Befriedigend: 2.6-3.5/5.0

Information for prospective students from Germany

Ghana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons

Information for prospective students from Ghana

Greece: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6/10 (University) or 6.8/10 (Tech Institutes)

Information for prospective students from Greece

Grenada: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Haiti: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Hong Kong: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/4.0 or Lower Second Class Honours

Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

Hungary: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Alapfokozat) or Diploma (Egyetemi Oklevél) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Iceland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Baccalaureus or Bakkalarprof) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5 out of 10

India: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Top unis: 55%, or 5.5/10. All other: 60%, or 6.0/10; or 5.0/8.0

Information for prospective students from India

Indonesia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree or Sarjana I (S1) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4.0

Iran: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence/ Karshenasi (4-year Bachelor) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20

Iraq: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or Good

Ireland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution 

Equivalent to 2:ii: Second Class Honours Grade II

Israel: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%

Information for prospective students from Israel

Italy: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Laurea (180 ECTS) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 94/110

Information for prospective students from Italy

Jamaica: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Japan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): 学士 (Bachelor's degree) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70-75%  / Good/ B   or  2.7/ 4.0

Information for prospective students from Japan

Jordan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/4.0 or 70%

Information for prospective students from Jordan

Kazakhstan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's (Bakalavr Diplomi) or Specialist Diploma from recognised institution 

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.67/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Information for prospective students from Kazakhstan

Kenya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 50-59% or 2.4/4.0 

Information for prospective students from Kenya

Kuwait: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.67/4.0

Information for prospective students from Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree or specialist diploma (min 4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0 or 2.67/4.0

Latvia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaura Diploms (Bachelor's) or Profesionālā Bakalaura Diploms (Professional Bachelor's) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6/10

Lebanon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree / Licence from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C or 2.7/4.0 or 12/20 

Information for prospective students from Lebanon

Liberia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or 2.8/4.0

Libya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from selected institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or 2.8/4.0 

Lithuania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors/Bakalauro (180 ECTS) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10

Information for prospective students from Lithuania

Luxembourg: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12/20

Macedonia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10 or 2:2

Malawi: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or 2.4/4.0

Malaysia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or B (Class 2 Division 2)

Information for prospective students from Malaysia

Maldives: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the Maldives National University (MNU)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 50%

Malta: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class / 60% / Category IIB

Mexico: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo de Licenciado from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.5/10

Information for prospective students from Mexico

Morocco: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence/Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales/Licence Professionnelle from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 11/20

Information for prospective students from Morocco

Namibia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or 2.5/4.0

Nepal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree / Bachelor's (4-year) from select institutions 

Equivalent to 2:ii: 55% or 2.4/4.0

Information for prospective students from Nepal

Netherlands: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6/10 or 2.7/4.0

Information for prospective students from the Netherlands

New Zealand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons

Nigeria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons

Information for prospective students from Nigeria

Norway: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors/Bachelorgrad (180 ECTS) or Candidatus/a magisterii from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall C

Information for prospective students from Norway

Oman: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4.0

Information for prospective students from Oman

Pakistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from HEC recognised institution or 2 year BA + 2 year MA from HEC recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA 2.7 or 55%

Information for prospective students from Pakistan

Palestine: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or or 2.7/4.0

Papua New Guinea: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Class II Division B

Peru: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado or Professional Title from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12/20

Philippines: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master’s from recognised institution or Centre of Excellence; or Bachelor's from prestigious institution or Centre of Excellence.

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/4.0 or 80% or 2.5/5.0 or Cum Laude

Poland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licencjat or Inżynier from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.8/5.0

Information for prospective students from Poland

Portugal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado  (180 ECTS) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12/20

Qatar: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4.0 or 3.3/5.0

Information for prospective students from Qatar

Romania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplomă de Licenţă/Diplomă de Inginer/Diplomă de Urbanist Diplomat from a recognised university

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10

Information for prospective students from Romania

Russia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom Bakalavra or Specialist Diploma from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Information for prospective students from Russia

Rwanda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons; 60%; or 13/20

Saudi Arabia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0 or 2.7/4.0 or 70%

Information for prospective students from Saudi Arabia

Serbia and Montenegro: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7 / Good 

Serbia and Montenegro: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's Honours degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Hons; 55%; 3.4/5.0; 2.75/4.0

Singapore: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.3/5.0 or 2.8/4.0

Information for prospective students from Singapore

Slovakia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Bakalár) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%; or 2.0 overall; or C

Slovenia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (University Degree) or Diploma o pridobljeni visoki strokovni izobrazbi / Diplomirani (Diploma of Professional Higher Education) or Diplomant or Univerzitetni diplomant (first degree)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7 out of 10

Solomon Islands: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from the University of the South Pacific

Equivalent to 2:ii: B/3.0

Somalia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Do not accept national qualifications for direct entry

Equivalent to 2:ii: N/A 

South Africa: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60%

Information for prospective students from South Africa

South Korea: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.5/4.0; or 2.8/4.3; or 3.0/4.5

Information for prospective students from South Korea

Spain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Grado / Título de Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Titulo de Arquitecto from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6/10 or 1.5/4.0

Information for prospective students from Spain

Sri Lanka: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Special Degree or Professional Degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 55% or 2:2 or 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Sri Lanka

St Kitts and Nevis: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

St Vincent and the Grenadines: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.7/4, B-, 60% or Lower Second Class Hons

Sudan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (5-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or B

Sweden: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's Degree/Kandidatexamen/Yrkesexamen from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Pass OR Godkänd (with a minimum of 90 credits at Good - C)

Information for prospective students from Sweden

Switzerland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom/Diplôme;Lizentiat;Staatsdiplom/Diplôme d’Etat from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 4/6; or 6/10: or 3/5 

Information for prospective students from Switzerland

Syria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (Licence/ al-ijaza-fi) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%+ or 'Good' from a public university

Taiwan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65-70% or GPA 2.6/4.0 - 2.8/4.0

Information for prospective students from Taiwan

Tanzania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2; or Lower Second; or GPA 2.7/5.0

Thailand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.6/4.0

Information for prospective students from Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's Degree from UWI

Equivalent to 2:ii: B-, 60% or 2.5; or Lower Second Class Hons

Tunisia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme National d'Ingénieur/ Diplôme National d'Architecture/ Docteur en Médecine / Vétérinaire/ Licence/ Maîtrise from recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 11 out of 20

Turkey: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Lisans Diplomasi from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: Top Unis: 2.5/4.0.  All others: 2.8/4.0

Information for prospective students from Turkey

Uganda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Lower Second) or 3.0/5.0 or B

Information for prospective students from Uganda

Ukraine: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree or specialist diploma from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7 out of 12; or 3.5 out of 5

United Arab Emirates: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.6/4.0 or 75% or C+

Information for prospective students from the United Arab Emirates

United States of America: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.7/4.0

Information for prospective students from the USA

Vietnam: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (4-year) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.0/10 or 2.5/4.0

Information for prospective students from Vietnam

Yemen: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 2.7/4.0

Zambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%; B; Credit; 1.7/2.5; or 2.7/4.0; or 3.3/5.0

Zimbabwe: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (60%)

Information for prospective students from Zimbabwe

We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a social science or humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

See international entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course overview

SOAS’s MA History and Intensive Language programme is one of the few UK Master-level degrees in History which focuses on the histories of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 

With its high concentration of expertise of these regions, the programme offers an unrivalled breadth of courses on these regions’ respective as well as interconnected histories. In addition to offering regional and global/transnational expertise, the SOAS MA History and Intensive Language programme also provides a rich training in the theory and methodology in history-writing and historical research.

While the course is open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal applicant would have an undergraduate degree in History (or a related discipline), some knowledge of foreign, including Asian or African languages, and preferably some relevant background in the region of specialism.

Why Study MA History and Intensive Language at SOAS?

  • SOAS is ranked 12th in the UK for History (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • You have the opportunity to significantly enhance proficiency in a range African, or Asian, or Middle Eastern languages
  • Our History research environment is entirely world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
  • 83.3% of our History impact case-studies were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
  • 71.2% of our History research outputs were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
  • In the 2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, History scored above sector in the following categories: research culture, community, research skills, and professional development
  • You can participate in the Regional History Seminars, as well as in a wide range of research seminars, lectures and conferences, which regularly take place in different departments across the School and at other colleges of the University of London

Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure

Teaching and learning

Programme learning outcomes

Knowledge

  • Factual knowledge about the histories of Asian and African societies, the ways they interacted with each other and other world regions of the world, and the major historical forces that shaped our contemporary world.
  • Familiarity with a variety of different approaches to historical research and current scholarly debates, and, on that basis, the ability to formulate a valuable research question.
  • How to locate materials and use research resources (particularly research library catalogues, archival hand lists, and digital resources), assess data and evidence critically from manuscripts, printed, and digital sources, and solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations.
  • Language skills appropriate to chosen region and field of study (recommended).

Intellectual (thinking) skills

  • Students should be able to synthesize different kinds of information, become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence and understand what the different types of historical sources can and cannot tell us.
  • Students should question interpretations, however authoritative, maintain an open-minded attitude to interpretations that challenge older interpretations, and analyse and reassess evidence and research questions for themselves.
  • Students should be able to think critically about the nature of the historical discipline, its methodology, historiography, and openness for interdisciplinary approaches.
  • Students should be able to reflect about the potential of historical research on non-Western societies and civilizations for the advancement of the historical discipline and human civilization in general.

Subject-based practical skills

  • Effective writing and referencing skills, attention to detail and accuracy in presentation.
  • Effective oral presentation of seminar papers, articulation of ideas, and constructive participation in seminar discussions.
  • Ability to retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources, including relevant professional databases, effective note-taking, record keeping and planning of projects.
  • Ability to formulate research questions and design an independent research project, including the use of primary sources.
  • In the two year intensive language pathway, to acquire/develop skills in a language to Effective Operational Proficiency level i.e., being able to communicate in written and spoken medium in a contemporary language

Transferable skills

  • Critical thinking.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
  • Information gathering skills from conventional and electronic sources.
  • Effective time-management, writing to word limits, and meeting deadlines

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Scholarships

Title Deadline date
Tibawi Trust Award
Sochon Foundation Scholarship
Felix Non-Indian Scholarship
Felix Scholarships
Sasakawa Studentships

Employment

With specialised historical knowledge, an understanding of cultural sensibilities and skills in research and analysis, graduates from the Department of History are well respected by employers across private and public sectors.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

  • Al Jazeera
  • Amnesty International
  • Bank of England
  • BBC
  • Blackstock PR
  • Bonhams
  • British Council
  • British Library
  • Dataminr
  • Ernst and Young
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Google
  • HSBC
  • International Committee of the Red Cross
  • KPMG
  • Middle East Consultancy Services
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cyprus
  • Natural History Museum
  • Publicis Media
  • UNESCO
  • United Nations Development Programme

Find out about our Careers Service.