History (with an emphasis on the History of Medicine) (MLitt/MSc)

This Masters enables you to specialise in the history of medicine, led and supported by internationally regarded historians. The two core courses provide you with an introduction to major topics in the history of medicine of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and to the methodologies, qualitative and quantitative, which historians have employed to explore them. Topics covered include: practitioner/patient interaction, history of diagnosis, obstetrics, professionalisation and medical education, history of hospitals, medical ethics, infant health and nutrition, Jewish medicine, medical technology, sexuality, disability, public health and gender. You will be introduced to the major bibliographical tools and archival resources for the history of medicine.

Why this programme

• Strong links with the University's Hunterian Museum, Anatomy Museum and Art Gallery, will give you access to primary source material including an enormous collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, coins, books, manuscripts and ethnography.
• The Centre for the History of Medicine has a reference library, computing facilities, and other equipment providing excellent support for research. We also run research seminars and workshops, and an annual research forum, all of which bring in speakers from throughout the world.
• Our researchers have access to rich archival materials held locally by the Greater Glasgow Health Board, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Glasgow University Archives, Glasgow City Archives and the Special Collections of the Glasgow University Library. Archives elsewhere in Scotland are also easily accessible.

Programme structure

You’ll take:

• Three core courses
• Optional courses (to a total of 60 credits; usually three 20 credit courses)

You’ll also produce a dissertation.

Semester 1: September to December

• History of Medicine 1: studies in the history of medicine before 1850. (Core course)
• Research, Resources and Skills for Historians (RRSH) (Core course)
• One optional course OR two optional courses

Semester 2: January to March

• History of Medicine 2: studies in the history of medicine from 1850 to 2000 (Core course)
• Research, Resources and Skills for Historians (RRSH) (Core course)
• Two optional courses OR one optional course

Summer: April to September

Dissertation

Find out more about core and optional courses

Programme alteration or discontinuation

The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The research skills and methods you’ll gain on this programme give you the transferable skills you need for positions in the public and private sectors, including heritage policy and projects, media and teaching. The programme is also a good foundation for a PhD.

Visit the History (with an emphasis on the History of Medicine) (MLitt/MSc) page on the University of Glasgow website for more details!