University of Michigan

What you'll study

This programme centres on political, religious, intellectual and cultural transformations in Europe between the late antique period and the early modern era. Core topics include medieval Christianity and Islam, the Crusades, court and urban culture, the Renaissance, Reformation and confessional conflicts, early modern science and print culture, and the histories of everyday life, gender and material culture.

• Core skills and methods: historical research methods, critical analysis of primary sources, palaeography and codicology introductions, historiography, quantitative and qualitative approaches to social history.
• Language training: options to study Latin and early modern and modern European languages (for example French, German, Spanish) to enable reading of primary texts and secondary scholarship.
• Typical modules and seminars: courses on Medieval Europe; The High Middle Ages; Late Medieval Cities and Commerce; The Renaissance and Humanism; Reformation Europe; Early Modern Intellectual History; Witchcraft and Popular Belief; Print Culture and the Book; Gender and the Family in Early Europe.
• Research and practical components: seminars with archival research assignments, opportunities to work with manuscript and rare-book collections at the Clements Library and University Library Special Collections, and options for a senior honours thesis or departmental capstone project.
• Interdisciplinary options: cross-listed courses with Art History, Religious Studies, Classics, Comparative Literature, and Medieval & Early Modern Studies; study-abroad programmes with European archives and libraries.

Entry requirements

Admission is through the University of Michigan undergraduate admissions process, which assesses academic preparation and broader achievements. Successful applicants typically present a strong high-school record showing rigorous coursework in humanities and social sciences.

• Academic background: high-school diploma or equivalent with strong grades in history, English and other liberal-arts subjects; advanced coursework such as AP, IB or A-levels is advantageous.
• Language preparation: prior study of Latin or modern European languages is beneficial but not always required; demonstrated interest in language study is helpful for medieval/early modern work.
• Skills and materials: strong writing ability, critical reading skills and evidence of engagement in research, essays or projects. Applicants may strengthen their application with a writing sample or portfolio of relevant academic work where permitted.
• Holistic review: the University uses a holistic admissions process, considering academic record alongside extracurricular activities, recommendations and personal qualities.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with transferable analytical, research and communication skills valued across many sectors. Career paths commonly followed by alumni include:

• Academia and research: postgraduate study (MA, PhD) leading to careers in teaching and scholarly research.
• Museums, archives and libraries: curatorial and archival roles, conservation support, museum education and collections management, often supported by hands-on experience at the Clements Library and local cultural institutions.
• Heritage and public history: work in historic sites, cultural heritage organisations, interpretation and heritage policy.
• Publishing, journalism and communications: editing, content development, and history-focused media production.
• Government, law and NGOs: policy analysis, research positions, advocacy and roles requiring strong critical thinking and writing.
• Education and outreach: secondary-school teaching (with appropriate certification), adult education and community history projects.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a large, dynamic History faculty with specialists in medieval and early modern Europe and a strong interdisciplinary culture. Students benefit from extensive special collections, notably the William L. Clements Library and University Library Special Collections, which provide direct access to manuscripts, early printed books and archival materials important for primary-source research.

• Research-led teaching: many courses are taught by active researchers, and undergraduates can join faculty-led projects or pursue independent research leading to an honours thesis.
• Interdisciplinary networks: the campus supports cross-department collaboration through programmes in Medieval & Early Modern Studies, Art History, Religious Studies and Comparative Literature, broadening methodological and contextual perspectives.
• Practical experience: internship and volunteer opportunities with museums, archives and cultural institutions in Ann Arbor and the wider Michigan area, plus study-abroad options that place students in European archives and research centres.
• Student support: advising for honours and graduate preparation, language training, and workshops in digital humanities and palaeography to develop both traditional and digital research skills.