Jump to Content

MA in History

The MA in History at the University of Galway trains students in advanced historical research. Students on the programme learn a wide range of skills – how to identify and locate historical sources, how to interpret them in their wider context, how to understand their broader relevance and how to present their findings to others. While fulfilling their passion for engaging with the past, students thus acquire competencies essential to the modern workplace - rigorous analysis and clear communication - and our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in academia, heritage, marketing and communications, and public policy.

Full-time students complete the programme in one year; part-time students complete it in two years, facilitated by the scheduling of many modules in the evenings or as a week-long block. Assessment is by means of a mixture of classroom participation, presentations, and written assignments, including a thesis based on independent historical research. The breadth of expertise in early modern and modern history available at the University of Galway allows students considerable freedom to pursue a thesis topic of particular interest to them.

What you will study

The MA in History consists of three elements:

Two core modules of 15 ECTS each taught in Sem. 1 [total of 30 ECTS]
- Making History: Evidence and Interpretation
- Historical Debates and Controversies: Studies in Historiography
Three optional modules of 10 ECTS each taught in Sem. 1 or Sem. 2 [total of 30 ECTS]
A dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words based on independent research due in August [30 ECTS]

Full-time students complete all elements over the course of one year. Part-time students take one core module and three optional modules in Year One and the remaining core module and the thesis element in Year Two. Students who complete all the required modules, but decide not to write a thesis may graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in History.

For more information, see handbook for the current academic year: MA Handbook Ay24-5

Timetable

MA Course Structure

The modules listed above were offered in 2024–25; see below for the timetable for 2025–26

MA Timetable 2025-26

Fees and Funding

Information on Fees

Postgraduate Scholarships

Information on SUSI grants for postgrad students

How to Apply

Apply via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Selection will be based on applicants' academic record and academic references testifying to their enthusiasm for the subject and their ability to carry out a research project.

Find out more here.

FAQ for Postgraduates