St. John's University

What you'll study

The programme combines small seminar teaching with supervised research training to explore cultural formations across medieval and early modern Europe. Core elements include advanced historical methods, historiography, and source critique alongside specialist modules that typically cover:

• Seminars in Medieval and Early Modern European History — comparative studies of institutional, religious and social change.
• Research Methods and Historiography — approaches to primary sources, theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary methods.
• Palaeography and Diplomatic Skills — hands‑on training in reading manuscript sources and understanding legal and administrative documents.
• Material Culture and Visual Sources — study of artefacts, book history, art, and the built environment as historical evidence.
• Religion, Society and Culture — investigations of devotional practices, confessionalisation, and the impact of reform movements.
• Politics, Courts and Elites — court culture, governance, patronage networks and diplomacy.
• Special topics electives — examples include urban history, gender and family, witchcraft and magic, travel and early modern connectivity, and the history of science.

The degree usually culminates in a substantial supervised dissertation or research project that makes sustained use of primary sources. Students may also undertake a placement or internship in a library, archive or museum to gain practical professional experience. Full‑time and part‑time study patterns are commonly available.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree in history or a closely related discipline with good academic standing. Typical admissions materials include:

• Transcripts from post‑secondary study demonstrating strong academic performance.
• A personal statement outlining research interests and reasons for pursuing the MA.
• A writing sample (essay or substantial coursework) that demonstrates analytical ability with historical sources.
• Letters of academic reference (usually two).
• A current CV.

Because much work makes use of sources in Latin and modern European languages, evidence of prior language study or a willingness to undertake language training is an advantage. International applicants must demonstrate competence in English through recognised tests or other accepted evidence of proficiency where English is not the medium of previous instruction. Admissions decisions take into account academic potential and fit with supervisory expertise.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme pursue a range of careers that value research, critical analysis and communication skills. Common pathways include:

• Progression to doctoral study and careers in academic research and teaching.
• Work in museums, archives and cultural heritage organisations, including collection management, curation and interpretation.
• Roles in libraries, rare‑books units and conservation projects where skills in palaeography and material culture are useful.
• Publishing, editorial work and cultural journalism.
• Public history, heritage policy and roles in non‑profit cultural organisations or governmental agencies concerned with history and preservation.
• Careers in education, digital humanities, and research consultancy that require strong project design and source‑based argumentation.

Why study at St. John's University

St. John's offers this MA within a department that emphasises small‑group teaching and close supervisory relationships, enabling tailored mentorship for dissertation work. The university's location provides convenient access to a wide range of research libraries, archives and museums in the city, giving students the opportunity to work with original manuscripts, printed books and visual collections.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary links across departments such as English, Theology and Art History, and from methodological training that combines traditional archival skills with digital approaches to historical data. The programme also supports professional development through internships and public‑facing projects, preparing graduates for both academic and heritage sector careers.

Overall, the programme is designed for those who want rigorous, source‑based training in medieval and early modern European cultural history, together with practical experience that connects scholarly research to public and professional contexts.