History - MA

Lancaster University School of Global Affairs

Full time & Part time September MA Full Time 12 Months, Part Time 24 Months 30 August 2026

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About the course

Lancaster University’s research specialisms cover a broad range of historical periods and geographies, and we are recognised experts in training future historians. You will explore how historical scholarship impacts the real world, from informing government policy to courtroom advocacy; how it shapes public understanding of the past, and how big historical themes play out across the centuries and around the world.

With advanced knowledge and skills, you'll be ready to launch a standout career, whether as a professional historian or in a wide range of exciting

Entry Requirements

2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in History, a related combined major or a degree in other related humanities disciplines.

Please see our website for more information.

Where will I study?

Lancaster University

Our postgraduate degrees are designed to prepare you for your future, whether that’s advancing your career or pursuing further study. Lancaster is one of the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK’s leading graduate employers (High Fliers 2026). Here, you’ll learn from leading academics in an inspiring, research-led environment that has earned us a QS 5 Star award for overall performance. Located in north-west England, our beautiful 578‑acre parkland campus is just three miles from the historic, student‑friendly city centre, with great transport links to the Lake District and major cities across the UK. You’ll join a diverse, close-knit community of students and staff from over 120 countries. We’re proud to be one of a handful of collegiate universities in the UK, with our dedicated postgraduate college giving you support, a ready-made community, and a feeling of belonging from the moment you arrive.

Student Profile

Elisha

"I completed my BA in History in 2020 and my MA in History in 2021. I chose to stay at Lancaster for my MA because of the bespoke nature of the course. The ability to tailor my course to focus on heritage and early modern elements was particularly appealing. Studying at Lancaster afforded me a number of opportunities that have been invaluable to me in pursuing a career in museums.

I now work at The National Football Museum within the Collections team as a Curatorial Coordinator. My role is split between the museum in Manchester and its archive in Preston, and it’s great to be able to use skills and experience from both of my degrees every day. My role is a varied one, ranging from dealing with loans to and from other institutions, new acquisitions, and supporting exhibitions, to general collections management duties like environmental monitoring and object movement control. I also get to work with lots of volunteers and placement students, as well as researchers who use our archive on a weekly basis.

A personal highlight so far has been going out to the FIFA museum in Switzerland to courier a pair of football boots for an exhibition last summer. Studying at Lancaster really developed my intellectual curiosity, which is a must have when working with collections." - Elisha, MA History, 2021