MA Medieval Studies
- MA
- PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate)
Overview
This interdisciplinary programme offers an innovative way of studying medieval culture and society. As a student, you will benefit from research-led teaching and skills-based training across a wide variety of disciplines, including history, literature, languages, manuscript studies, music, religion and classics.
You will have access to one of the most active and innovative centres for medieval studies in the UK, comprising more than 30 staff members and approximately 30 postgraduate research students (MPhil/PhD) each year, who together form a lively and dynamic interdisciplinary community.
Every year, the Centre for Medieval Studies hosts a large number of research seminars, lectures and public talks. Staff who teach on the programme are members of the Centre, and many have an international reputation in their respective fields.
Beyond the University, you can draw on the important archival, architectural and heritage resources of the city of Bristol - the medieval gateway to Europe - and the south-west region more widely. Through our placement- and practice-led project options you have the unique opportunity to gain practical work experience with one of the University's partners in the cultural and heritage industries, which helps train you as a professional medievalist with transferable skills for careers in academia and beyond.
Programme structure
In the first term you are required to take two 20-credit core units, normally Introduction to Medieval Latin and Research Skills for Medievalists, and one 20-credit optional unit that reflects your particular disciplinary or subject-specific interests. Optional units are chosen from a list of specialist units available during that year across the Faculty of Arts.
In the second term you are required to take one 20-credit core unit, normally History of the Book, and two 20-credit optional units. For one of the optional units, you may choose to undertake a work placement. This will give you the opportunity to work on a project with a partner organisation from the cultural and heritage industries.
Finally, you will complete either a 60-credit dissertation or a practice-led project. The practice-led project will be in the form of, or accompanied by, a critical reflective commentary, which could stem from and further develop your work placement.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Medieval Studies.
Entry requirements
Applicants to the MA must have an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.
Applicants to the PGCert must be currently employed in a cultural heritage organisation. This might include Museums, Archives, Libraries, Churches, Cathedrals, Historical Monuments, Curating, Conservation, English Heritage, National Trust, Creative Industries, etc.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- (MA) UK: full-time
- £14,100 per year
- (MA) UK: part-time (two years)
- £7,050 per year
- (MA) Overseas: full-time
- £28,200 per year
- (PG Certificate) UK: full-time
- £5,640 per year
- (PG Certificate) Overseas: full-time
- £11,280 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding for 2024/25
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Students who complete this programme are competitively placed to go into a career in either the academic sector or the cultural and heritage industries.
The programme's focus is on the acquisition of practical and transferable skills for professional medievalists, including research skills, languages, manuscript skills (palaeography and codicology), archival study skills and heritage preservation. Together, these equip our graduates for research degrees and/or employment in culturally-oriented industries outside academia.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
- Faculties
- Schools
- Partnerships