Objectives• to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in contemporary approaches to key aspects of the culture of the Middle Ages; • to equip them with the tools for further research by developing their critical and conceptual understanding; • To deal with a multidisciplinary approach (via a compulsory core module, Researching the Middle Ages, which gives students thorough and wide-ranging training in all areas relevant to medieval studies); • To offer the opportunity to develop linguistic and palaeographic skills; • To promote independent study and research skills as a basis, where appropriate, for a research degree.
Academic titleMA (Res) Medieval Studies
Course descriptionTransferable skills
The University’s Strategy for Teaching and Learning has identified a number of
generic transferable skills which all students are expected to have developed by the
end of their degree programme. In following this programme, students will have had
the opportunity to enhance their skills relating to career management, communication
(both written and oral), information handling, numeracy, problem solving, team
working and use of information technology. In addition to providing a grounding for
further research, the programme aims to enhance students’ personal and interpersonal
skills in relation to future employment: in particular, to promote the exercise of
initiative and personal responsibility; to develop the ability to make decisions and to
communicate effectively as both communicator and recipient; and to encourage the
faculty of independent learning with a view to continuing professional development.
Programme content
All students take the core Researching the Middle Ages module introducing skills and
approaches necessary for research in the field of medieval studies. A further
compulsory module combines Medieval Latin and Medieval Palaeography. The two
Options are chosen from a broad range, offering the opportunity for independent
research with a scholar in the field; one may be linked to the dissertation topic. One
Option may be replaced by a module offered in another MA programme. The
Dissertation provides for extensive independent research, and includes an Oral
Presentation.
MA (Res) 180 credits:
Compulsory modules
-Researching the Middle Ages
-Medieval Latin and Palaeography
-Dissertation
-Option A
-Option B
Two Options to be selected from the list, one to be taken as Option A and taught in
the Autumn and Spring terms, the other as Option B and taught in the Spring and
Summer terms. One Option may be replaced by a module from another MA
programme at the discretion of the Director
Postgraduate Diploma in Medieval Studies (120 credits)
Students take the following modules:
-Researching the Middle Ages,
-Medieval Latin and Palaeography
-Option A
-Option B
-Advanced Study and Source Analysis
Certificate in Medieval Studies (60 credits)
Students take the following modules:
-Researching the Middle Ages
-Option A
-Option B
Summary of teaching and assessment
The compulsory modules are delivered through small group teaching. The Latin and
Palaeography module is assessed through a mixture of written assignments and timed
tests. The Researching the Middle Ages module is assessed through a dossier of
student work. The Options and the Dissertation are supervised on an individual basis.
Each Option is assessed by an essay of 4,000 words, OR, where learning a language is
involved, by coursework and a timed test. The Dissertation is assessed by an Oral
Presentation and a written Dissertation, normally of 18,000-20,000 words, including
footnotes but excluding bibliography and appropriate appendices.
Part-time/Modular arrangements
This programme may be taken over two years of part-time study. The normal pattern
is for the Researching the Middle Ages and Palaeography and Medieval Latin
modules to be taken in the first year and the Options and Dissertation in the second
year, but this may be varied if required. It may also be taken over up to five years.
The recommended order is Researching the Middle Ages (over up to two years);
Palaeography and Medieval Latin; Options; Dissertation, but this may be varied by
agreement.
Progression requirements
Classification will follow the University’s taught postgraduate marks classification.
To pass the degree of Master students must gain an average mark of 50 or more
overall including a mark of 50 or more for the dissertation. In addition the total credit
value of all modules marked below 40 must not exceed 30 credits and of all modules
marked below 50 must be less than 60 credits.
Students who gain an average mark of 70 or more including a mark of 60 or more for
the dissertation and have no mark below 40 will be eligible for a Distinction. Those
gaining an average mark of 60 or more overall including a mark of 50 or more for the
dissertation and have no mark below 40 will be eligible for a Merit.
For the Postgraduate Diploma students must gain an average mark of 50 or more,
and the total credit value of all modules marked below 40 must not exceed 30 credits.
In addition, the total value of all modules marked below 50 must be less than 60
credits.
For Postgraduate Certificate students must gain an average mark of 50 or more, and
the credit value of modules marked below 40 must not exceed 10 credits.
Admission requirements
The qualifications of students will be assessed on an individual basis. Entrants to this
programme are normally required to have obtained upper second class in an
undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification. Overseas students are also
required to fulfil the university standards of English language proficiency.
Admissions Tutor: The Director, Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies, School of
History
Support for students and their learning
University support for students and their learning falls into two categories. Learning
support includes IT Services, which has several hundred computers and the University
Library, which across its three sites holds over a million volumes, subscribes to
around 4,000 current periodicals, has a range of electronic sources of information and
houses the Student Access to Independent Learning (S@IL) computer-based teaching
and learning facilities. There are language laboratory facilities both for those students
studying on a language degree and for those taking modules offered by the Institutionwide
Language Programme. Student guidance and welfare support is provided by
Programme Directors, the Careers Advisory Service, the University’s Special Needs
Advisor, Study Advisors, Hall Wardens and the Students’ Union.
In addition, the GCMS has its own dedicated room offering a private study area
supported by its own specialised library, with access to microfilm and microfiche
readers.
Career prospects
The programme leads predominantly to further research, typically at a doctoral level.
It is also a useful training for students wishing to pursue a career in archival work, and
in the Heritage industry. In addition, recent postgraduates have gone on to pursue
careers in teaching.
Opportunities for study abroad or for placements
Where appropriate, opportunities are open to individual students to study in France in
the University of Paris VII, with which the School of History has links. The Erasmus
Programme is also available.
Educational aims of the programme
The programme aims to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in
contemporary approaches to key aspects of medieval culture. In particular, it aims to
develop a systematic approach to the acquisition of knowledge together with a critical
awareness of current issues of debate and the ability to evaluate and develop
appropriate conceptual frameworks. In addition it aims to prepare them for study at
doctoral level by equipping them with the tools necessary for further independent
research.