The Department of History’s approach is thematic and interdisciplinary, with staff expertise spanning the histories of Britain, East and West Europe, South Asia and Africa. Our focus is primary research and we encourage students to follow their own historical interests.

The MA in History aims to develop students' research skills, and their understanding of key debates and methods in historiography. In addition, it allows students to develop their specific subject interests through a range of optional courses and the dissertation.

Consequently, in addition to the compulsory core course (Explorations and Debates) and the Research Skills course, students choose two options, one of which, if they wish, can be from another department at Goldsmiths or from the wide-ranging intercollegiate list (a list of MA courses available at other colleges of the University of London).

They conclude by writing a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their own choice, based on primary research. The process of writing the dissertation includes participating in organising, and presenting at, the department's dissertation conference.

The MA is available as a 1-year full-time and 2-year part-time programme, and we welcome applicants with a background in Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts. 

What you study

• two compulsory courses, Explorations & Debates in History and Research Skills. Explorations and Debates investigates the ways historians have conceptualised and contested historical practice in the modern and early modern periods. Research Skills  develops expertise in a variety of methodologies including the use of oral, visual and material, as well as textual, sources.
  
  
• two thematic options, either both chosen from those offered by the Department, or one of the Departmental options and the other from another Goldsmiths’ Department, or one of the Departmental options and  the other from the list of 30+ options available each year in the History Departments of other colleges which participate in the University of London MA Intercollegiate Sharing Scheme.
  
  The Departmental options encompass a diverse regional, conceptual and methodological range to investigate religious, cultural and political history in both the western and non-Western world from the fifteenth century to the present. All options are based on the tutors' current research and the options available each year will be selected from the following list:
  
  
  • Seeking a Good Death: The Cultural History of Death and Bodily Disposal
  • Religious and Political Controversies in Early Modern Europe
  • Italian Terrorism in the 20th Century
  • Visual Culture and Empire in Early Modern Venice
  • Islam and Christianity in Modern Africa
  • Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Modern Europe
  • Conflict, Trauma and Memory in the Modern Balkans
  • A Troubled Culture: Northern Ireland since 1921

• a one-day, student-led, interdisciplinary research workshop to share ideas about projects and methodologies, and gain experience in event organisation.

The MA develops a range of transferable skills which are highly valued in the jobs market. These include advanced research and analytical expertise; increased independence of thought; the ability to marshal, evaluate and communicate, in written and oral form, complex information and ideas; project management; teamwork and workshop organisation. Graduate students from the Department have continued to careers in museums and galleries, archives, journalism, charities, university and arts administration, local government and teaching as well as doctoral research.

If you are interested in the MA History, please contact Dr Stefanos Katsikas  s.katsikas(@gold.ac.uk).

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.