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MA in Military History
With military history one of the fastest-growing areas of academic study, the University of Buckingham is launching a one-year MA in Military History, by research, in 2009. This is a groundbreaking programme: the first one-year Research MA in Military History, and the first with an integral course of guest seminars. Download the MA in Military History brochure (264 KB)
The programme will be London-based and supervised by one of the country's finest military historians, Professor Saul David. Uniquely, it will be supplemented with guest seminars by a star-studded list of eminent scholars, best-selling authors and soldiers, including Professors Richard Holmes, Hew Strachan, Gary Sheffield and Sir Lawrence Freedman, Antony Beevor, Sir Max Hastings and Sir Mike Jackson.
What will you study?
The programme will run from September to August with thirteen research seminars – three on research techniques and 10 by guest lecturers. The MA does not offer systematic instruction in the facts of history, nor does it require written examinations on broad areas of history; instead, the emphasis is on independent research.
At the heart of the Buckingham MA is the close working relationship between student and supervisor. While the final thesis must be an independent work, it is the supervisor who offers advice on refining the topic (if necessary), on primary sources, on secondary reading, on research techniques and on writing the final thesis. Supervisors and students will meet frequently throughout the year, and not less than twice a term; and the supervisor shall always be the student's primary contact for academic advice and support.
Where will you study?
This is a London-based course. The seminars will be held at the Royal Society of Arts, just off the Strand in central London (8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ.). The nearest London Underground Stations are: Charing Cross (Northern Line); Embankment (District and Circle lines); Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line); Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Lines).
The seminars will be followed by a dinner in a local restaurant, for those who wish to attend, where there will be an opportunity to continue the seminar discussion in an informal environment. Attendance at these dinners is entirely at the choice of the student, and its cost is not covered by the tuition fee.
Tutorials and meetings with supervisors will take place at the University of Buckingham's offices in the European School of Economics, 8/9 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7SH, near Buckingham Palace.
Research seminars:
- Professor Saul David, Military History: Research Techniques 1, Tuesday 22 September 2009
- Professor Saul David, Military History: Research Techniques 2, Wednesday 23 September 2009
- Professor Gary Sheffield, Military History: Research Techniques 3, Thursday 24 September 2009
- Professor Charles Esdaile, The Peninsular War, Tuesday 13 October 2009
- Professor Brian Bond, The late Victorian Army, Tuesday 20 October 2009
- Professor Richard Holmes Redcoat: The British soldier in the early 19th Century, Monday 2 November 2009
- Professor Hew Strachan, The Origins of the First World War, Tuesday 10 November 2009
- Professor Gary Sheffield, The British Army in the two World Wars, Tuesday 17 November 2009
- Sir Max Hastings, Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45, Monday 30 November 2009
- Professor Michael Burleigh, Learning to eat soup with a knife: armies learning to confront insurgents from Malaya to Al Qaeda, Tuesday 8 December 2009
- Mr Antony Beevor, Stalingrad and Berlin: Researching the Reality of War, Tuesday 15 December 2009
- Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, The Falklands War, Tuesday 26 January 2010
- General Sir Mike Jackson, Iraq 2003, Tuesday 2 February 2010
What are the entry requirements?
Students will normally be required to have:
- A first or second class honours degree (or equivalent) and / or substantial relevant work experience.
Students shall also have satisfied the Course Directors that they have sufficient background knowledge to undertake the degree. It is likely that they will already have a background of study in history or a cognate discipline and that they have identified a research topic which they wish to study and which they are qualified to pursue. The emphasis of the Buckingham MA in Military History is on independent research.
How is the programme assessed?
- Interim essay (2,000 - 5,000 words) at the start of Term 2
- Dissertation (20,000 - 40,000 words)
The best dissertation will win for its author a year's representation by the top literary agent Peter Robinson.
Other options: Associated Students
For those who wish to attend the seminars, but do not have time to complete the course work involved in the MA programme, it is possible to register for the course as an Associated Student. This status enables Associated Students to attend the seminars and to meet the guest lecturers, but not to proceed to the MA degree. Fees for an Associated Studentship are currently £1,950 for UK and EU citizens; £3,900 for International Students.
How much will it cost?
Fees for UK and EU citizens are £5,500; for International Students (non-EU), £9,600. For further details of tuition fees and methods of payment, including discounts for advance payment, visit our postgraduate tuition fees page.
How can I apply?
You can apply directly by using the online application form or downloadable application form.
For more information, please contact the Programme Director, Professor Saul David (saul.david@buckingham.ac.uk).
| Full time: | Yes | |
| Part time: | No | |
| Award: | MA | |
| Entry points: (Term dates) |
September This is a 4-term programme, which takes 1 year to complete. |