International History

Study options

Award

MA

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time, distance learning
Study option:
Part-time, distance learning
Duration:
13 Months
Duration:
2 Years
Start date:
26 September 2022
School:
School of Justice, Security and Sustainability

Distance learning

Flexible study designed to fit around work or other commitments

Contemporary Content

Historical context to global diplomatic and political affairs

Specialist Pathways

Option to gain specific expertise in Intelligence or Genocide Studies

It’s an exciting and important time to study International History. This distance learning course will stimulate inquiring minds by providing an insight into international relationships and rapid changes over time, from regional microhistories to sweeping diplomatic affairs, from cultural developments to military encounters. Enjoy the flexibility of distance learning while connecting with your fellow students who will bring with them a range of different experiences. You’ll be encouraged to use digital platforms for a weekly programme of study with regular support from our experts and the opportunity to debate key subjects with fellow students.

The MA International History will take you on a journey through modern international history and offers the opportunity to develop interest and insight, whether you’re looking to develop your professional profile in a related field or an enthusiast wanting to explore the relationship between history and politics. This is set against dramatic developments in communications, science and technology, urbanisation and industrialisation.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere.

You can also tailor the course to a topic that interests you, through one of our pathways. You can focus on Intelligence and Terrorism, with our Intelligence pathway; if learning more about mass violence and genocide interests you, then you can choose the Genocide Studies pathway; alternatively, if you would prefer a broader course of study, you can remain on the MA International History pathway and study topics such as the evolution of concepts - including nationalism, imperialism, modernisation and globalisation - and their application by historians over time.

If you complete a specific pathway route, your award title will reflect this.

The MA International History will take you on a journey through modern international history and offers the opportunity to develop interest and insight, whether you’re looking to develop your professional profile in a related field or an enthusiast wanting to explore the relationship between history and politics. This is set against dramatic developments in communications, science and technology, urbanisation and industrialisation.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere.

You can also tailor the course to a topic that interests you, through one of our pathways. You can focus on Intelligence and Terrorism, with our Intelligence pathway; if learning more about mass violence and genocide interests you, then you can choose the Genocide Studies pathway; alternatively, if you would prefer a broader course of study, you can remain on the MA International History pathway and study topics such as the evolution of concepts - including nationalism, imperialism, modernisation and globalisation - and their application by historians over time.

If you complete a specific pathway route, your award title will reflect this.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA International History

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA International History

Part-time study

If you wish to study this course part-time, the duration of the course is two years.

The expected study pattern is to complete modules totalling 180 credits over the two years of study.

Distance learning

Whilst this is a distance learning course and there is no expectation for you to attend our campuses, you are more than welcome to take advantage of our on campus facilities including our libraries, sports facilities and Students Union. However, we have extensive experience in supporting distance learning students so you can access the same level of student support via our online platforms.

Part-time study

This course is run as part-time distance learning over three years. However, it can be completed in a minimum of two years, four months. 

The expected study pattern is to complete modules totalling 60 credits in each year of study.

Distance learning

Whilst this is a distance learning course and there is no expectation for you to attend our campuses, you are more than welcome to take advantage of our on campus facilities including our libraries, sports facilities and Students Union. However, we have extensive experience in supporting distance learning students so you can access the same level of student support via our online platforms.

Course content

This course offers fresh insights by familiarising students with the latest developments in the field and encouraging them to craft their own historical narratives using the skills of the professional historian.

The core modules provide context for research concerns focused on international history. You will learn about a variety of historical figures, their experiences and their impact on events on international history. You will examine key concepts in modern historical study including nationalism, imperialism, modernisation and globalisation.

Your dissertation will be supervised and guided by staff but it is a student-centred piece of independent work. Topics may be drawn from the areas covered in your module selection, or aligned to your personal experience, and your tutors will support you with the development of your research question.

The MA International History degree allows you to specialise in your course of study through options or through pathway routes.

  • Intelligence Pathway examines the role of intelligence and terrorism in international relations, explores the establishment and development of intelligence agencies, and critically analyses the relationship between terrorism and modernity and the use of intelligence from the Second World War to the present.
  • Genocide Studies Pathway examines the history and evolution of genocide, its definition, and the legal aspects of mass violence and atrocity as well as the repercussions of genocidal acts on societies, communities and individuals.

This course offers fresh insights by familiarising students with the latest developments in the field and encouraging them to craft their own historical narratives using the skills of the professional historian.

The core modules provide context for research concerns focused on international history. You will learn about a variety of historical figures, their experiences and their impact on events on international history. You will examine key concepts in modern historical study including nationalism, imperialism, modernisation and globalisation.

Your dissertation will be supervised and guided by staff but it is a student-centred piece of independent work. Topics may be drawn from the areas covered in your module selection, or aligned to your personal experience, and your tutors will support you with the development of your research question.

The MA International History degree allows you to specialise in your course of study through options or through pathway routes.

  • Intelligence Pathway examines the role of intelligence and terrorism in international relations, explores the establishment and development of intelligence agencies, and critically analyses the relationship between terrorism and modernity and the use of intelligence from the Second World War to the present.
  • Genocide Studies Pathway examines the history and evolution of genocide, its definition, and the legal aspects of mass violence and atrocity as well as the repercussions of genocidal acts on societies, communities and individuals.
Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls talks about the impact of her research

Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls talks about the impact of her research

Video

In this video, Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls talks about the impact of her research for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
International Lives 40 credits
Transnationalism And Global Interdependence 40 credits
Show 3 optional modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Intelligence In Policy And Practice 40 credits
International Lives 40 credits
Terrorism In The 21St Century 20 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Aftermaths Of Genocide And Mass Violence 40 credits
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
International Lives 40 credits
Introduction To Genocide And Mass Violence 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
International Lives 40 credits
Transnationalism And Global Interdependence 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Show 3 optional modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Intelligence In Policy And Practice 40 credits
International Lives 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Terrorism In The 21St Century 20 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Aftermaths Of Genocide And Mass Violence 40 credits
International Lives 40 credits
Introduction To Genocide And Mass Violence 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Concepts In International History 20 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits

Entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline (such as Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Geography, Literary Studies, Area Studies, etc.) or significant appropriate work experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

A 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline (such as Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Geography, Literary Studies, Area Studies, etc.) or significant appropriate work experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

MA International History - Rhys O'Rourke

MA International History - Rhys O'Rourke

Video

Rhys O'Rourke talks about his time on the MA International History course.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content.  It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Careers

After completing the MA International History, you’ll be equipped with the critical and reflective skills, as well as a range of other transferable skills, that are attractive to employers. These can be adapted to a range of professions including, but not limited to:

  • Education
  • National, Foreign or Defence Ministries
  • Armed Forces
  • Security Services
  • International or Regional Organisations

Alternatively, if you wish to develop your dissertation further, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student you will be expected to study independently, but the content of the modules will be provided in a structured manner to support you through the material and to prepare you for your assessments. Support will be available when you need it and you can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environments. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are and whenever works for your. This includes notes, recorded presentations, activities and discussion forums, where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

As a distance learning student you will be expected to study independently, but the content of the modules will be provided in a structured manner to support you through the material and to prepare you for your assessments. Support will be available when you need it and you can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environments. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are and whenever works for your. This includes notes, recorded presentations, activities and discussion forums, where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

During your course you will undertake two different types of assessments, informal assessments (also known as formative) and formal (also known as summative). Your formative assessments are designed to enhance your engagement with the taught content of your modules and to prepare you for your summative assessments. They also provide you with the opportunity to receive feedback on your progress.

Your summative assessments contribute towards your final grade and degree classification and will assess you based on the learning outcomes of your modules. Your summative assessments could include a combination of written assignments, contributions to discussion boards, critical reviews, digital poster presentations and dissertations.

During your course you will undertake two different types of assessments, informal assessments (also known as formative) and formal (also known as summative). Your formative assessments are designed to enhance your engagement with the taught content of your modules and to prepare you for your summative assessments. They also provide you with the opportunity to receive feedback on your progress.

Your summative assessments contribute towards your final grade and degree classification and will assess you based on the learning outcomes of your modules. Your summative assessments could include a combination of written assignments, contributions to discussion boards, critical reviews, digital poster presentations and dissertations.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide you with plenty of support during your studies. However, you can also access assistance from our Academic Skills team, who can help you online with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills, etc.)
  • Written English (including structure, punctuation, grammar, etc.)
  • Academic writing (including referencing skills)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision and assessment skills (including time management).

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that feedback is very important for you to be able to gauge your progress and to enable you to achieve your potential. To ensure that you can benefit from regular feedback, your tutors will provide a combination of written and verbal feedback, on both an individual and general assessment level.

We usually give you feedback on your formative assessments within 20 working days, but the format for the feedback will vary for each module.

We know that feedback is very important for you to be able to gauge your progress and to enable you to achieve your potential. To ensure that you can benefit from regular feedback, your tutors will provide a combination of written and verbal feedback, on both an individual and general assessment level.

We usually give you feedback on your formative assessments within 20 working days, but the format for the feedback will vary for each module.

For each of your taught modules, you will have specific sessions delivered through our online learning platforms. These engaging and interactive sessions will enable you to benefit from the expertise of our teaching staff and will signpost you to supplementary resources to support the content of the module. These sessions will also be recorded, so you can access the learning material at any time, giving you the freedom to study anywhere and anytime.

In addition to the module content, you will also be able to arrange online meetings with your tutors and dissertation supervisor, to review your progress on the course, to clarify module content, to provide support for assessments and to receive feedback on your work.

For each of your taught modules, you will have specific sessions delivered through our online learning platforms. These engaging and interactive sessions will enable you to benefit from the expertise of our teaching staff and will signpost you to supplementary resources to support the content of the module. These sessions will also be recorded, so you can access the learning material at any time, giving you the freedom to study anywhere and anytime.

In addition to the module content, you will also be able to arrange online meetings with your tutors and dissertation supervisor, to review your progress on the course, to clarify module content, to provide support for assessments and to receive feedback on your work.

Independent learning

In addition to your online sessions, you will be provided with a wealth of additional resources to enable you to experience a rich variety of perspectives and insights to share and discuss with your tutors and fellow students. You will be required to engage with the literature, videos, podcasts, activities and additional resources that will be provided on the virtual learning platform, and use this information to help you complete your formal and informal assessments.

In addition to your online sessions, you will be provided with a wealth of additional resources to enable you to experience a rich variety of perspectives and insights to share and discuss with your tutors and fellow students. You will be required to engage with the literature, videos, podcasts, activities and additional resources that will be provided on the virtual learning platform, and use this information to help you complete your formal and informal assessments.

Staff

We are a research-active department with internationally recognised expertise. This provides our students not only with world-class subject experts, but with considerable levels of research-informed teaching and pedagogical experience as well.

The curriculum design of this MA is structured around core modules which have been developed to reflect the key requirements of the subject discipline of International History as well as the research expertise of each staff member contributing to the delivery of the course.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake your dissertation under the supervision of our expert staff, which provides you an excellent chance to tailor your degree to your area of interest.

Alun Thomas

Senior Lecturer

Alun's research interests cover the history of Russia and the Soviet Union and Central Asia; imperialism, colonialism, decolonisation, refugeedom, itinerance; nomadism,nationalism, state-building, urbanisation, memory and patrimonialisation.

Alun's profile

Dr Fiona Robertson-Snape

Senior Lecturer

Fiona's expertise is in international relations theory and international ethics. Her research interests cover international society, human rights and international criminal justice.

Fiona's profile

Dr Tony Craig

Associate Professor

Tony's expertise is in Northern Ireland, intelligence and security studies, archive research, conflict resolution. His research interests include Irish and British foreign policy, intelligence history, terrorism, security studies and decolonisation.

Tony's profile

Dr Simon Smith

Associate Professor

Simon's expertise covers EU-NATO Cooperation, transatlantic security and European and US defence transformation. His research interests include transatlantic security and reforming European defence.

Simon's profile

Martin Brown

Senior Lecturer

Martin teaches modern Italian and European history, local and community history and 18th Century English history, with an emphasis on social, cultural and political history.

Dr Anthony Mckeown

Lecturer

Anthony teaches International Relations in the Modern Era; Global Policy Analysis and Money, Trade and Development.

Anthony's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 26 September 2022 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £8,245 per course £8,245 per course

For the course starting on 26 September 2022 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £8,235 per course £8,235 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in the fees:
Not included in the fees:
  • Text books are available from the library and online resources, but some students choose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs
  • Any optional field trips
  • Text books are available from the library and online resources, but some students choose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs
  • Any optional field trips
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time, distance learning 26 September 2022 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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