MA Military History by Research

From Marlborough to Montgomery and MacArthur

Established in 2009, this programme in Military History enables students to choose (with guidance) their own topic of research and to pursue this under expert one-to-one supervision. But in addition to developing their own specialist research, students also meet regularly to hear, and to dine and argue with, some of the most illustrious figures in the world of Military History: speakers including Sir Antony Beevor, Sir Hew Strachan, Simon Heffer, Richard Overy, James Holland, and Saul David, among others. Dinners are in the elegant and conveniently located surroundings of the Caledonian Club, off Belgrave Square, London SW1.

The Financial Times has reviewed the course enthusiastically, noting that “Intellectually curious professionals are signing up for a new course that gives them the opportunity to exchange thoughts on security, diplomacy and the armed forces over dinner with stellar historians and military top brass.”

The programme is directed by Professor Gary Sheffield, one of Britain’s leading historians of the First World War and President of the Western Front Association, whose many books include his edition of the diaries of Field Marshal Haig, as well as biographies of Haig and Wellington, and studies of the leadership effectiveness of officers in the trenches during the Great War.

Further details of the programme are available below and in the downloadable e-brochure, accessible via the link below.

Applicants who wish to speak directly with the Course Director can do so by emailing: gary.sheffield@buckingham.ac.uk

2023-24 Guest seminars and dinners 

All students are invited to attend the guest seminars and dinners that follow. The cost of the post-seminar dinners is included in the tuition fees.

Location: The Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin St, London, SW1X 7DR.

Time: The seminars take place from 6.30pm – 8.00pm and are followed by dinner at 8.15pm.

Speakers and subjects: The speakers will include Professors Sir Hew Strachan, Richard Overy, and Saul David, talking about a range of military history subjects on the following dates:

• Monday 9 October 2023 Professor Matthias Ströhn (University of Buckingham) ‘The Thirty Years War and the Emergence of Modern Warfare’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 23 October 2023 Dr Spencer Jones (University of Wolverhampton), ‘The Battle of Mons 1914 in British History’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 6 November 2023 Dr Jennifer Wellington (University College Dublin) ‘Exhibiting War: The First World War, Museums, and Memory’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 20 November 2023 Professor Sir Hew Strachan (University of St Andrews) ‘The First World War and the Ukraine War’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 4 December 2023 Professor Gary Sheffield (University of Buckingham) ‘The British Empire Soldier in the Desert in the Second World War’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 22 January 2024 Professor Richard Overy (University of Exeter), ‘Why War?’ Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• Monday 5 February 2024 Megan Hamilton (King’s College London/Imperial War Museum) ‘Training the Troops: British and Imperial Armies in the Second World War’ Followed by dinner at 8.15pm
• Monday 19 February 2024 Professor Jeremy Black (University of Exeter) ‘The Making of the World Naval Power,1500-1900’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm
• Monday 4 March 2024 Mr Sebastian Cox (Head of Air Historical Branch, Royal Air Force) ‘The Experience of Allied Bomber Crews in the Strategic Air Offensive Against Germany, 1939-45’. Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.
• 18 March 2024 Professor Saul David (Professorial Research Fellow at the Humanities Research Institute, University of Buckingham) ‘The Siege of Delhi, 1857’ Followed by dinner at 8.15pm.

Associate students

For those who wish to attend the evening guest seminar programme, but are unable to devote the time to the coursework or to register for the MA degree, there is the option of becoming an Associate Student. This status will enable the student to attend the ten guest seminars and dinners, and to meet the guest lecturers, but does not require the submission of written work. Associate Students are not registered for and do not receive, the MA degree.

Graduate Study in Military History

What our students say

“I found Buckingham’s MA in Military History by Research a very rewarding experience. After a business career in the technology sector I was able to finally devote some time to my passion for Military History. The task seemed daunting at first as it had been a long time since I was last in education and I had no knowledge of how to conduct historical research. However, the introductory course of lectures provided a solid study framework and detailed follow up discussions with my tutor enabled me to focus in on a specific historical area of interest and, more importantly, identify a particular question that needed answering.

The research-based nature of the course means at this point you embark on a solo process of discovery. Reading the existing literature and sifting the archives, both online and in person, you follow leads and gradually piece together the parts of your chosen puzzle. The course is demanding and academically rigorous with a high standard of work expected. However, the tutors are excellent and always there to support and guide your progress and check your work is of the required standard. Writing the dissertation is challenging but once completed it is a very satisfying feeling to know you have contributed to the historiography and understanding of your chosen area.

Whilst most students in my intake took the one-year full-time course I undertook the two-year part-time route and found it allowed me the time and space to investigate my chosen specialist area and really enjoy the whole process without pressure. If you have the time, it may be an option to consider.

If undertaking a masters currently seems too much of a commitment I would highly recommend becoming an associate just to attend the MA course’s accompanying series of illuminating evening events hosted by Professor Saul David. Each evening involves a standalone lecture given by an eminent historian followed by a dinner and conversation. It is highly enjoyable to spend time in the company of a diverse group of people with a common passion and to be able to talk to some of the biggest names in Military History. Even though I have completed my Masters I intend to be an associate for many years to come!

Andrew Thompson, Master’s (distinction), 2021

“The MA by Research in Military History at The University of Buckingham offers students the opportunity to channel their passion and intellectual curiosity into an academic endeavour full of reward.

The research seminars delivered by Professor Saul David equip the student early on with a solid foundation to build on, along with a road map to begin drawing out one’s chosen topic. Accompanying these are lectures from speakers at the apex of their field, which are both informative and inspiring, set within a comfortable environment conducive to open debate.

Moreover, the student support at Buckingham is second to none, with administrators on hand to answer any questions and avoid any pitfalls emerging, along with librarians available to assist in seeking out rare books. Taken together, the MA by Research in Military History guarantees a unique experience and provides the necessary tools to succeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found the whole experience both character building and rewarding. It provided an excellent platform to develop a keen interest into an extensive academic project, under the watchful eyes of expert supervision. I look forward to my next project within this space.”

Scott Sherriff, Master’s (distinction), 2020

“I completed the one-year Research MA in Military History in 2012 and subsequently went on to complete a PhD also at The University of Buckingham.

Like most students, I embarked on the MA course with a longstanding interest in military history but little understanding of the skills and disciplines involved in academic research. The unique and exciting quality of the Buckingham programme is that it enables an interested amateur as I certainly was then to tackle a historical question that is entirely new and to produce a work that can withstand rigorous professional scrutiny within an incredibly short timescale.

If the opportunity provided by the Buckingham course is exciting, its strength lies in the way it combines three elements which support and guide the student. The first is a well-crafted introduction to research techniques backed by exercises to develop research and writing skills. This element is relevant and practical and it is adjusted to the needs of the individual. The second is the series of general interest lectures over the first half of the year all provided by first rank historians. These expose students to new historical problems and the latest research and the format over dinner allows genuinely stimulating debate. They provide invaluable context for the student’s individual work. However, the critical element that stands out at Buckingham is the quality of the individual guidance and supervision in selecting a research topic and then executing successive stages. I cannot rate too highly the individual supervision that I and my fellow students received. I think PhD students at the best universities would count themselves fortunate to receive the tailored support of this quality and care and not least time from some of the best historians in the United Kingdom.

I would also like to commend the general administration of the Buckingham MA programme. It is a complex programme with diverse students with different requirements, a complex lecture programme and no dedicated Buckingham owned site in London. Yet the execution from logistics around successive lectures through to the examination of the final thesis and the monitoring of academic standards was close to perfect.”

Dr Andy Boyd, PhD, 2015

For further details contact:
Humanities Research Admissions on +44 (0)1280 827514
Email: 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 21 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.

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 methods

The MA does not offer systematic instruction in the facts 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 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.

This is a London-based course. The seminars will be held at Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DR (www.caledonianclub.com). The nearest Tube stations are Hyde Park (Piccadilly Line) or Victoria (Victoria, District and Circle Lines). The introductory classes will be held at the University’s London headquarters at 51 Gower Street. The nearest Tube stations are Goodge St (Northern Line) and Euston Square (Circle and Hammersmith and City Lines).

Each seminar (approximately 90 minutes, 18:30-20:00) is followed by a post-seminar dinner, at the Caledonian Club, where there will be an opportunity to continue the seminar discussion in an informal environment.  The cost of the dinners is included in the tuition fee.

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.

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 note that The University of Buckingham has four terms per year. The tuition fees quoted are for the degree. 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.

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of this page.