University College London (UCL)
Medieval and Renaissance Studies MA
London, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 33,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £33,000 - part time £16,500 | UK students: full time £16,000 - part time £8,000. Additional fees may apply
The Medieval and Renaissance Studies MA offers students a chance to explore the history, literature, art, and culture of Europe from late antiquity through the early modern period. The program combines historical and cultural analysis, encouraging students to understand the significance of medieval and Renaissance societies in shaping the modern world. It provides a flexible structure, allowing students to focus on specific topics such as literature, philosophy, or historical events, and develop research skills useful for academic or professional careers.
Students can choose between a taught master's program or undertake a research-based route, depending on their interests and goals. The coursework covers diverse areas including historiography, manuscript studies, and the visual arts, giving individuals a well-rounded perspective on the period. Throughout the program, students receive support to develop their critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills, preparing them for further study or roles that require deep understanding of medieval and Renaissance contexts. The curriculum emphasizes active engagement with primary sources and encourages original research, making it suitable for those passionate about uncovering the layers of history and culture from these dynamic periods.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and classes. Several modules include site visits to institutions, notably the British Library, the Wellcome Collection, the National Archives and the Institute of Historical Research. If you take the Manuscripts and Documents module, you will conduct in-depth research on a manuscript in the British Library.
Teaching takes place in groups of about 3 to 12 students. In addition, students are offered individual tutorials about essays and have regular one-to-one meetings with a supervisor while completing their dissertations. Experienced academics provide all MARS teaching. We place a premium on accessibility, and students will find that their teachers, however senior, are available and happy to meet with them.
Modules
Full-time
For full-time students, the structure is usually as follows:
- Language-based module(s);
- Module(s) from the MARS module list or options outside of this, subject to the approval of the Degree Tutor;
- Dissertation. All students produce a research dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a topic of the candidate’s choice, written under the expert supervision of a UCL-based academic.
Part-time
For part-time students, the structure is usually as follows:
- First year - a choice of language and optional modules;
- Second year - dissertation and a choice of language and optional modules.
Compulsory modules
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies Dissertation
Optional modules
- A Global History of the Middle Ages?
- The Empire of Constantinople, AD 425-641
- Medieval Manuscripts and Documents
- Magic in the Middle Ages A
- Beginners Latin for Research
- Reading Medieval and Renaissance Latin
- The Crusades...a Clash of Civilisations
- Themes and Debates in Islamic Archaeology and Heritage
- The Islamic World in the Global Age 900-1400
- Reframing the Renaissance
- Forging the Early Modern
- Unstitching the Early Modern: Archival and Book Skills
- Early Modern Information Culture, c.1450-1750
- Introduction to Old and Middle English
- Legendary Histories
- Parzival
- Seeing Through Materials: Matter, Vision and Transformation in the Renaissance
- Dante: Divina Commedia
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
What this course will give you
The departments contributing to this degree - History, English, the School of European Languages, Culture and Society, Institute of Archaeology, and History of Art - enjoy outstanding international reputations for research and teaching.
We are firmly committed to the intellectual development of all our students; if you come to UCL, you will receive individual supervision from leading researchers in their fields.
Located in Bloomsbury, we are just a few minutes' walk away from the exceptional resources of the British Library, the British Museum and the University of London research institutes, including the Warburg and the Institute of Historical Research.
The foundation of your career
Employability
The degree allows students to develop a range of skills. This programme provides an outstanding foundation for those hoping to undertake PhD research and pursue an academic career.
Debates, small group seminars and tutorials help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills for their future careers. Likewise, employers from various industries highly value the analytical and research skills gained by students in this programme.
You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships. This means you will be a good team player who can manage and delegate to others and take on responsibility.