King's College London - Faculty of Arts & Humanities

MA in Medieval Studies

King’s contains one of the largest concentrations of medievalists in the UK, bringing together scholars in medieval history, languages, literature and culture, with expertise across Europe and Asia. Our MA in Medieval Studies not only offers specialist training in crucial research skills—in particular, medieval Latin and palaeography—but also is outward-looking, exploring and critiquing the place of medieval history and perceptions of the medieval past in the world today.

The programme takes full advantage of its place in central London, home to some of the largest collections of medieval manuscripts as well as material and visual culture in the British Library, the British Museum and other institutions. The course caters for history students, literature students and language students and introduces them to interdisciplinary techniques and challenges. We take pride in our 'hands-on' approach to the medieval past, which effectively prepares students for future doctoral work by providing them with the skills to engage in some of the medieval period's most hidden aspects—through teaching students how (literally) to read the script and how to see how images of the distant past soak through contemporary life in different ways across the world. The programme aims to enable students to take the in-depth analytical skills and understanding of the past that they have gained by studying at this level both into many careers and into the further study of the disciplines which make up medieval studies, whether privately or professionally.

Key benefits

• Learn from one of the largest concentrations of medievalists in the UK, spread across eight departments including the only specialist professor in the UK in Palaeography and Manuscript Studies and specialisms in the contemporary medieval.
• Provides key training in research skills including palaeography - all whilst adopting an outward-looking approach to the medieval past, engaging in its diverse representations and meanings across the world today.
• The special “Ages of Medieval London” module takes students out of the classroom into a real-world environment in which they will apply their knowledge and problem-solving.
• Access to expert talks and resources on medieval literature, history and culture including the V&A, Lambeth Palace and the British Museum.
• Opportunity for hands-on access to medieval manuscripts- including at The National Archives, Lambeth Palace Library and more.
• Vibrant research culture, including seminars and conferences at which students are encouraged to participate and give papers.
• International Centre of excellence for the study of history, literature and languages.
• The central London location offers students unrivalled access to world-class museums, collections, archives and libraries as well as easy access to resources in Europe.

Course Essentials

This MA in Medieval Studies offers disciplinary training in medieval history and literatures while also offering students the benefit of an interdisciplinary environment to explore their research interests. It is divided into three components: (1) a 'core' programme, where students are introduced to the methods and theories of studying the medieval past, as well as key research techniques; (2) a 'skills' programme, in which students can choose from modules on medieval language, palaeography and manuscripts studies, as well as a hands-on approach to medieval London; (3) an 'optional module' programme, in which students choose modules based on their research interests (such as gender and sexuality; pre-modern global history; the environment; the Arthurian tradition; political thought and thinking); and (4) a dissertation, in which students pursue an original research project, which often is the foundation for future doctoral studies. In this way, through its emphasis on key skills and contemporary application, the programme prepares students for doctoral work and working in other cultural sectors and also provides a range of transferable skills suitable for the workplace.

The MA in Medieval Studies is based in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at King's College London. The faculty is a thriving research hub for medieval studies, hosting the Centre for Late Antique and Medieval Studies (CLAMS), which brings together medieval scholars from across the faculty (staff and students) in reading groups, seminar series, and an annual lecture. CLAMS is particularly concerned with understanding modern (mis)representations of the medieval past and provides a vibrant forum for broad discussion about these issues. In addition, staff members of CLAMS host their own research projects, funded by the European Research Council (Economic and cultural connections within Mediterranean ecosystems c.1250-c.1550; Musical Lives: Towards an Historical Anthropology of French Song, 1100-1300; The Values of French), the UK's Arts and Humanities Research Council (The community of the realm in Scotland, 1249-1424; Exon Domesday; The Magna Carta Project), or the Leverhulme Trust (Bees in the Medieval World). Staff are also very engaged in public history, with staff members appearing regularly on BBC Radio 4 programmes, such as In Our Time and even producing their own podcasts (such as Medieval History for Fun and Profit).

Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and Institute of English Studies (IES) We will encourage you to make full use of the opportunities available through the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and the Institute of English Studies. Many members of the Department prepare and deliver their advanced seminars, and we encourage students to attend their workshops and specialist training days for graduate students.

Duration: One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time