Medieval and Renaissance Studies MA

About this degree

The programme lasts twelve months (full-time) / 24 months (part-time) to allow for intensive technical training, teaching in various optional modules and independent thesis research. Our degree is designed to encourage students to undertake interdisciplinary study to an unprecedentedly high degree.

We offer an unusually large number of course options across seven different departments and give students the flexibility to receive intensive tuition in small groups in two or three disciplines. We encourage our students to acquire comprehensive practical skills to investigate medieval and Renaissance sources first-hand. We offer a range of specialised skills sources for studying medieval manuscripts and documents, early modern manuscripts and printed books. It is also possible to take modules oriented towards curation and librarianship of medieval and early modern sources. Our medieval and manuscripts provision is second to none in facilitating a quick transition to professional-level manuscript research. Many of our alumni have published their first research papers based on their manuscript coursework completed as part of our MA.

Our language tuition is also wide-ranging and comprehensive. For beginners in Latin, the contact time is also unusually high. Intermediate and Advanced Latin and training in European medieval and modern languages are also available on our programme.

This UCL Medieval and Renaissance Studies MA provides exceptional opportunities to pursue studies in Medieval and Renaissance topics and acquire advanced professional and research skills. The programme combines the opportunity to study medieval and modern languages and develop critical research skills using London’s world-class collections. It also provides a wide-ranging curriculum for those keen to deepen their knowledge of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Students with primary interests in many different historical, literary, art-historical and archaeological areas can build on and extend their expertise and skills.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

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. It is popular with students wishing to enter journalism, civil service, business, museum and heritage, and education. 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.

Recent destinations of graduates of this programme include: funded PhDs at UCL, Universities of Oxford, St Andrews, Cambridge, Durham, Cardiff, Lancaster, and UEA; the British Library: Cataloguer; Reuters: News Assistant; Ministry of Trade Industry and Tourism: Government Advisor.