Introduction
Acquire the skillset of a true historian: discover interdisciplinary approaches, conduct original research, and solve complex problems.
How history improves lives
Prof Lucy Bland’s research has given ‘Brown Babies’ a sense of well-being, empowerment and a knowledge of their heritage, creating a self-sustaining community for the future.
Britain's 'Brown Babies' tell their story WW2 'Brown Babies': A little-known part of British 20th century historyAlready have an ARU degree? You may be eligible for our Alumni Scholarship for students starting postgraduate courses.
On our MA History, you will learn to critically examine different periods of history - including social, cultural, political and public history - and conduct original research at both local and global levels.
Each module (including the final major project) will introduce you to new research methods and the analytical questions that go with them. This will allow you to develop an understanding of the problems inherent in the historical record, such as the many contrasting viewpoints, and give you the means to test them effectively.
Course options
Key facts
Student experience
How Labour Governs
This report by our Labour History Research Unit considers how the Labour government might deal with issues like home and foreign policy by exploring their historical approach.
Read our How Labour Governs report
60 Second Seminar
Dr Joseph Harley considers how our traditional view of the workhouse might be inaccurate.
Prof Lucy Bland
Read about Lucy's award-winning research on Britain's 'Brown Babies' and her current work on race relations in the 1930s.
Read Lucy's Spotlight interview
Prof Lucy Bland
Professor of Social and Cultural History Lucy Bland talks about her award-winning research on Britain's 'Brown Babies' and her current work on race relations in the 1930s.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Prof Lucy Bland
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and showcase
Hands-on learning
All our MA History students have the opportunity to:
- carry out research in Cambridge’s museums and archives
- take part in live group briefs
- benefit from our links with local organisations, including the Cambridgeshire Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford.
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community in Cambridge and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- study at a university whose history research was ranked as ‘world-leading’ (REF 2021)
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Lecturers
Rohan McWilliam
Professor
Careers
The skills you develop in our MA History will transfer across a range of careers, as well as provide a gateway to PhD research.
By exploring how to make the past available to a wider public, you will open up careers in the heritage industry, archives and museums.
You will also become an independent learner, able to manage your own projects and research in a confident and flexible manner, devise and sustain arguments and solve problems successfully.
Such skills are transferable to careers in teaching, business, the media, arts administration, fundraising, librarianship, marketing, IT-related industries and many others.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU, such as our PhD in History or PhD in Sociology. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
Want to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our Cambridge
Benefits of postgraduate study
Improve your employability, progress in your career, and take on an intellectual challenge with our flexible postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate study at ARU