MA in History by Distance Learning
Online
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 5,449 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* deadline for all students
** part time
Key Summary
Introduction
This two-year programme offers you the opportunity to explore a number of historical themes and time periods from across the world, where you’ll take advantage of our broad range of expertise. Develop practical transferable skills so that your love of history can further your career and life ambitions.
Your MA is completely adaptable to your interests. You’ll have a choice of topics including ancient history, medieval studies, global history, contemporary and modern history, and the history of Modern Britain.
When studying the MA History as a distance learning programme, you’ll benefit from the research and support available in our School of History and Cultures and through the University’s digital learning support.
Study in a Department ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, according to Times Higher Education. Research in the Department spans the medieval to the modern, including topics as diverse as archaeology and beliefs of medieval Iceland, the early modern body, the history of sexualities, and the Arab Spring.
- Join a diverse community made up of different educational backgrounds – you don’t need a History degree to join the course.
- Explore your chosen area of study in-depth through your choice of modules and dissertation topic.
- Study independently with the support of your academic tutors and fellow students via online forums.
- Fit your studies around your other commitments. Access the course materials online from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you.
Career Opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in History or Heritage at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to collate together information, strong written and verbal communication skills, and analytical skills.
Our History and Heritage graduates enter many roles, including:
- Events and Exhibitions Assistant and Heritage Guide
- Project Development Researcher
- Collections Assistant
Employers our History and Heritage graduates have worked for include:
- English Heritage
- Historic England
- Cottonwood Mansion Museum
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Gallery
Curriculum
Please visit the course webpage below for up-to-date information on modules.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Explore scholarships and funding on our school website
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of University-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History and Heritage.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Online discussion boards – modules are mainly taught by small group discussions responding to reading and questions set by the module convenor.
- Online resources are uploaded in advance. You can complete activities and take part in discussions at a time that suits you.
- Dissertation – you’ll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.