MA 20th-Century British History by Research
This London-based programme enables students to examine Britain’s history in the 20th century, focusing on the period from 1914 to 1990.
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Course overview
About the Course
Master’s in Twentieth-Century British History
This London-based programme enables students to examine Britain’s history in the twentieth century, focusing on the period from the death of Queen Victoria to Margaret Thatcher’s resignation in 1990. It is led by Simon Heffer, Professor of Modern British History in the University and a leading authority on the period.
The course includes a series of seminars (see below), given by a range of eminent guest speakers, to supplement students’ private research. These will provide a broad chronological survey of the period and an introduction to major themes in the political and social history of 20th century Britain, and are intended to stimulate ideas for research by students. All the seminars (apart from Dr Harris’s, which will be online) are to be held at in the elegant surroundings of the Reform Club, 104 Pall Mall, London SW1, at 6.30 pm on the given dates. Supervisory meetings will be held at the University’s offices at 51 Gower Street, Bloomsbury (near the British Museum) or by video link.
The programme’s main focus is on politics and society, but also discusses cultural history and historiography. Guest speakers will include the contemporary historians Sir David Cannadine, Vernon Bogdanor, David Kynaston, Dominic Sandbrook, Jane Ridley, and Michael Bentley.
Assessment is via a dissertation of approximately 25,000 words on a topic of the student’s choosing, which is completed under the guidance of a supervisor and submitted at the end of the academic year.
2025/26 Seminar Programme
The academic year begins in September and Professor Heffer, as Course Director, will be available to all students before the seminar programme gets under way to discuss dissertation topics and independent research. A full bibliography will be issued to all students in September so that the autumn can also be used for essential background reading.
Seminars and Dinners 2025-2026
Each guest speaker seminar begins at 6.30pm and is followed by a dinner. The cost of all post-seminar dinners is included in the tuition fees.
The seminar meets on selected Thursdays between October and June. Unless otherwise stated, all seminars and dinners take place at Reform Club, 104 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EW. You can view the location on Google Maps. The nearest Tube Stations are Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross.
Please note that the two seminars marked with an asterisk will take place online.
2 October 2025
Professor Simon Heffer (The University of Buckingham), ‘Edwardian Britain: Myth versus Reality’
*16 October 2025 (online)
Professor Simon Heffer (The University of Buckingham), ‘The Domestic Impact of the Great War, 1914-1919’
30 October 2025
Dr Geraint Thomas (Peterhouse, University of Cambridge), ‘The Triumph of Labour? Working-class Unrest and the Transformation of Politics in 1920s Britain’
Monday 3 November 2025, 10:00-17:00
Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BE
Induction Day for New Research Students in the Humanities
Please note that attendance at the Induction Day seminars is compulsory for all first-year research students.
13 November 2025
Professor David Dilks (University of Leeds), ‘Appeasement Britain: the Rise of Fascism and Political Crisis in Britain during the 1930s’
26 November 2025
Professor Daniel Todman (Queen Mary University of London), ‘The Home Front in the Second World War’
11 December 2025
Professor Sir Vernon Bogdanor CBE FBA (King’s College London), ‘The Evolution of the Post-War Consensus’
15 January 2026
Dr David Kynaston (Historian in private practice), ‘ “They’d never had it so good”: British Society from Suez to the Beatles’
29 January 2026
Dr Tim Aker (The University of Buckingham), ‘The Collapse of the Post-War Consensus and the Rise of the Thatcherite “Right”’
*12 February 2026 (online)
Dr Robin Harris (Former Director of the Conservative Research Department, 1985-88), ‘Margaret Thatcher and her Court: the Iron Lady Observed’
26 February 2026
Professor Michael Bentley (St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford), ‘Writing the History of the Twentieth Century: Modern British Politics and its Historiography’
18 June 2026, 14:30-18:30
Vinson Building and the Humanities Research Institute, University of Buckingham
Research Day in Twentieth-Century British History: ‘The British Empire in the Twentieth Century’
Note: The programme for the Research Day, which will include presentations by current doctoral students and visiting
Graduate studies in twentieth-century British history
Associate Students
For those who wish to attend the seminars and to join the post-seminar dinners with the visiting speakers, it is possible to join the programme as an Associate Student. Associate Students do not enrol for the MA and do not have to submit any written work, but they are otherwise full members of the seminar and free to take part in discussion. There is also a substantially reduced fee.
For further information, please contact humanitiespg-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry-level required for this course is as follows:
- a first or upper second-class honours degree from a recognised university or,
- a recognised professional qualification with relevant work experience.
In cases where candidates are applying on the basis of work experience, they may be asked to complete a short written assignment and/or attend an interview as part of the applications process.
Mature students
Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students. Due to their flexibility, our London-based MAs by research attract a wide variety of applicants from a range of backgrounds, including people in full-time employment and retirees. Our current students range in age from 25 to 75.
International students
We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.
The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.
English levels
If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.
Selection process
Candidates apply online, sending in their supporting documents, and will be assessed on this basis by the Programme Director. The Programme Director or Admissions Assistant will be happy to answer any enquiries. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or get in touch via our online form.
Student Contract for prospective students
When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.
Teaching & Assessment
The MA does not offer systematic instruction in the facts; instead, the emphasis is on independent thought and 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 text (which should be not less than 25,000 words). 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.
After Your Course
The University’s Course Directors, students’ supervisors, and the Research Officer and Tutor for Graduate Students are available to discuss students’ post-graduation plans and how they may utilise most effectively the skills acquired during their studies.
Course Fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | First Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2025 Full-time (6 Months) Associate | UK | £3,433 | £3,433 |
| INT | £5,493 | £5,493 | |
Sep 2025 Full-time (1 Year) | UK | £10,300 | £10,300 |
| INT | £16,480 | £16,480 | |
Sep 2025 Part-time (2 Years) | UK | £5,150 | £10,300 |
| INT | £8,240 | £16,480 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
** Please be aware that the 6 month option relates to the associate course only
Please note that The University of Buckingham has four terms per year. Students will pay the same termly fee for the duration of their studies, unless studies are interrupted and resumed later. The tuition fee quoted is therefore the total cost of the degree.
Scholarships and bursaries
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.
Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:
UK Students
Postgraduate First-Class Scholarship
Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship
International Students
Postgraduate First-Class Scholarship
Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship
Sheikh / Mubarak Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Scholarship (Postgraduate)
Accommodation
Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.