This interdisciplinary programme offers an innovative way of studying medieval culture and society. As a student, you will benefit from research-led teaching and skills-based training across a wide variety of disciplines, including history, literature, languages, manuscript studies, music, religion and classics.
You will have access to one of the most active and innovative centres for medieval studies in the UK, comprising more than 30 staff members and approximately 30 postgraduate research students (MPhil/PhD) each year, who together form a lively and dynamic interdisciplinary community.
Every year, the Centre for Medieval Studies hosts a large number of research seminars, lectures and public talks. Staff who teach on the programme are members of the Centre, and many have an international reputation in their respective fields.
Beyond the University, you can draw on the important archival, architectural and heritage resources of the city of Bristol – the medieval gateway to Europe – and the south-west region more widely. Through our placement- and practice-led project options you have the unique opportunity to gain practical work experience with one of the University’s partners in the cultural and heritage industries, which helps train you as a professional medievalist with transferable skills for careers in academia and beyond.
Full details of the MA, including fees and application deadlines can be found here.
Programme Structure
In the first term you are required to take two 20-credit core units, normally Introduction to Medieval Latin and Research Skills for Medievalists, and one 20-credit optional unit that reflects your particular disciplinary or subject-specific interests. Optional units are chosen from a list of specialist units available during that year across the Faculty of Arts.
In the second term you are required to take one 20-credit core unit, normally History of the Book, and two 20-credit optional units. For one of the optional units, you may choose to undertake a work placement. This will give you the opportunity to work on a project with a partner organisation from the cultural and heritage industries.
Finally, you will complete either a 60-credit dissertation or a practice-led project. The practice-led project will be in the form of, or accompanied by, a critical reflective commentary, which could stem from and further develop your work placement.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Medieval Studies.