Capital University

What you'll study

This programme combines core historical methods with specialised study of medieval and early modern Europe. You will examine political, religious and social transformations such as the formation of medieval kingdoms, the impact of Christianity and Islam, the Black Death, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the early modern state. Teaching emphasises cultural practices, intellectual history, material culture and visual sources alongside traditional political and economic approaches.

• Core modules: historical methods, historiography, and research skills that introduce working with archival sources and secondary literature.
• Medieval modules: topics such as medieval societies, monasticism, crusading and cross-cultural contacts, medieval law and urban life, and the role of literacy and manuscript culture.
• Early modern modules: subjects including the Renaissance and humanism, the Reformation and confessionalisation, early modern monarchy and diplomacy, scientific change, and print culture.
• Skills and languages: palaeography and source criticism, introductory Latin for historians, and optional study of a modern European language to support research in primary sources.
• Methods and digital skills: training in archival research, cataloguing, digital humanities tools for textual and artefactual analysis, and public history practice.
• Independent project: a supervised capstone dissertation or substantial research project using primary sources, which develops independent archival research and argumentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a strong secondary-school record with evidence of effective writing and analytical skills. Typical preparation includes courses in history, English or humanities; demonstrated engagement with reading and research beyond the classroom is an advantage. Mature applicants with relevant life or work experience are encouraged to apply.

International applicants must meet the University’s requirements for secondary qualifications and demonstrate proficiency in English through recognised tests or equivalent qualifications. Specific portfolio materials or admissions tests are not normally required, though applicants may be asked to submit a writing sample or attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme move into a wide range of careers that value research, communication and critical thinking. Typical destinations include:

• Further academic study (master’s and doctoral work) and research careers focused on medieval and early modern studies.
• Museums, archives and heritage organisations as curators, collections managers, archivists or outreach officers.
• Education at secondary and post-secondary levels, including roles in teaching and curriculum development.
• Publishing, journalism, and content creation, particularly in roles requiring strong editorial and interpretive skills.
• Public history, cultural policy, fundraising and community engagement for cultural institutions and NGOs.
• Careers in law, civil service, library services, and the cultural and creative industries where analytical and communication skills are prized.

Why study at Capital University

Capital University offers a liberal-arts environment with small seminar teaching that supports close interaction with faculty and sustained development of research skills. Students benefit from hands-on training in archival methods and opportunities to work with manuscript and special collections held by the University and nearby cultural institutions. The programme’s emphasis on both traditional source-based scholarship and digital approaches prepares graduates to work with a wide range of materials and pursue careers in academic and public-facing roles.

Additionally, the university’s location provides access to regional archives, museums and cultural organisations for internships and collaborative projects, while a supportive advising system helps students plan study pathways, language learning, and postgraduate or career steps tailored to medieval and early modern research interests.