European History MA

Birkbeck, University of London

This MA European History offers you the chance to study key ideas, debates and practices that have shaped our understanding of Europe and the most important historical and methodological approaches to critically interpreting European pasts and presents. Why choose this course? You will learn from world-renowned experts in European history, including British, German, French, Italian, Balkan, Russian and Eastern European history, as well as international, transnational, global and comparative historical perspectives. We are unique in our wide-ranging approach to studying Europe through the critical perspectives of empire, nationalism and nation-making, migration, gender and social inequality. You will be joining a community of specialist historians whose research spans diverse historical periods, from the Early Modern to the present day, and puts Europe in dialogue with the world. What you will learn Rather than presuppose one all-encompassing definition of 'Europe', whether geographical, ideological or otherwise, on this course we highlight the different contexts within which the European past and present can be analysed, and embrace a broad approach to the study of European history. You will explore intellectual traditions, methodological questions, interdisciplinary approaches, and other themes and topics to a broadly defined European chronology and geography. How you will learn As well as being able to follow your interests choosing from a wide range of option modules covering many aspects of European history and politics, you will also receive training in research methods and undertake your own argument-oriented dissertation. This makes the course an excellent entry point for more advanced study at either MPhil/PhD level or professionally, and it is also a valuable tool in advancing your knowledge and expertise if you work in educational professions. You will be taught primarily through seminars, with some supervision support for your dissertation. The course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa. Please note, this course starting in January is not part of the Flexible Master's UK and will take place on campus.

School of Historical Studies