MA 20th-Century British History by Research

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 Professor Simon Heffer, Lord Blackwater, 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.

PhD programme

For details of the corresponding doctoral programme, please see the PhD 20th-Century British History course page.

Seminar Programme 2026/27

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 2026-2027

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.

• October 1 – Professor Lord Blackwater on 1901-14
• October 8 – Professor Lord Blackwater on 1914-19
• October 22 – Dr Geraint Thomas (Peterhouse, Cambridge University) on 1919-29
• November 12 – Professor David Dilks on 1929-39
• December 3 – Professor Daniel Todman (Queen Mary, University of London) on 1939-45
• December 10 – Professor Sir Vernon Bogdanor (King’s College, London) on 1945-55
• January 14 2027 – Dr David Kynaston on 1955-64
• January 28 – Dr Tim Aker on 1964-79
• February 11 – Dr Robin Harris on 1979-90
• February 25 – Professor Michael Bentley (Oxford University) on Historiography

Professor Sir David Cannadine (Princeton) will give a seminar on the decline of the British Empire, date to be confirmed.

All Seminars begin at 6.30pm at the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London SW1, followed by dinner, expect those on 8 October and 11 February, which are held online.

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