About the course
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.
While all students will apply for and follow a specific strand, they will share a common course, Theory and Methods, and they will also have a free choice of options. In this way, the course gives access to a wide range of both general and specialised training within the field of history.
You can find more information on the course webpage on the faculty website and on each strand's webpage.
Assessment
You will write a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic falling within the scope of this MSt, usually within the historical period of your optional subject.
In addition to the dissertation, students are assessed on the methodology course through a 3,000 to 5,000-word essay. This is followed by an assessed essay of 8,000 to 10,000 words or by two assessed essays of 4,000 to 5,000 words each for the optional subject course.
Graduate destinations
About a quarter of master’s students proceed to doctoral work at Oxford; others continue academic study at other institutions. Other career destinations are as diverse as, but broadly in line with, undergraduate history career destinations. law, finance, management consultancy, civil service etc.
12 October 2025
University of Oxford
University Offices,
Wellington Square,
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
OX1 2JD, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.