MSc Historical Research

at University of Stirling

The Master of Science  in Historical Research is a one-year research and skills-oriented course that and allows specialisation in particular historical areas as well as development of social science skills and methodologies. You will be allocated an individual supervisor to direct your independent study and plan the curriculum to reflect your interests and training needs. You should maintain regular contact with supervisors and agree a schedule of meetings to discuss your work and review draft submissions.
 

The course is split into four sections:
 

Social science research methods
You will take compulsory modules in Research Design and Process, Quantitative Data Analysis, and Qualitative Data Analysis.  These core modules will teach you data analysis (e.g. providing training in STATA software) and you will be encouraged to apply quantitative and qualitative analysis to historical evidence in History modules.
 

Discipline-specific training module in Historiography   
You will take an additional compulsory module in Historiography which involves independent study of the literature of a chosen historical field. Coursework comprises a 10,000-word paper that critically reviews historians' works, and identifies a topic suitable for original research in a dissertation. There are no classes. One-to-one supervisory sessions are scheduled at mutually convenient times.
 

Additional optional modules
You will be able to tailor the curriculum according to you own field of study and training needs, and in consultation with your supervisor and Programme Director.  You will be able to choose from additional research skills training, which involves planning (with direction) a personal itinerary of specific activities to support your research project. Activities cover generic skills, employability skills, breadth of knowledge, and subject skills. There are opportunities for workshops in historical research methodology, languages, and palaeography. You may choose further modules in Sources and Methods where you will discuss with your supervisor how to apply research skills to historical evidence. You will examine a body of sources related to your research topic and practice the methods you have been learning. Alternatively you may also choose from a wide range of taught modules offered across various faculties, appropriate to your field of study and in discussion with your supervisor.  These range from The Nature of Social Enquiry, to Social Network Analysis, or Theories and Methods of Digital Social Research.
 

Dissertation
Having researched the existing secondary literature and the primary sources, and having received training in appropriate research skills, you will then go on to complete a dissertation of up to 20,000 words.
 

Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
 

Year 1, Autumn semester

Compulsory module

• Research Design and Process (ASRP002)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Quantitative Data Analysis (ASRP004)    20 credits

Compulsory module

• Historiography for Masters of Research (HTRPP11)    20 credits

Year 1, Spring semester

Compulsory module

• Qualitative Data Analysis (ASRP005)    20 credits

Option module
 

Select 40 credits from MSc Historical Research options list

• Training for Masters in the Arts and Humanities 2 (ARTP002)    20 credits
• Sources and Methods for Masters in Research (HTRPP12)    20 credits
• with the agreement of the programme director it may be possible to select an alternative option
   

Year 1, Summer semester

Compulsory module

• Dissertation (HTRPP18)    60 credits

English language requirements
 

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening
• IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
• Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in speaking and listening and distinction in reading and writing, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
• Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 105 in reading and writing and 95 in speaking and listening
• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall including 38 in reading and writing, and 33 in speaking and listening
   

Undergraduate
 

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
 

Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Postgraduate

Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within 5 years of our course start date:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
 

Students who meet the above criteria, but Year 12 scores are between 6 and 10 years old, will also be required to submit an official letter from their university or college, stating that the medium of instruction (MOI) was in English, and confirming graduation is within 5 years of our course start date.

Overseas (non-EU) students

2022/23 - £17,275    
2023/24 - £17,775
 

Course fees

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
   

Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
 

European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

The MSc Historical Research has been designed with three career destinations in mind:
 

• to prepare graduate students for further research at doctoral level
• as a route to an academic career
• as a higher degree in its own right
   

Taking the MSc can also enhance your continuing professional development and prepare you for a research-based career, particularly in academic research, teaching, journalism, marketing, government, and heritage management. By helping you develop critical analytical skills and research techniques, the course provides preparation for a wide variety of research-based careers in the public and private sectors.