University of York

What you'll study

This MA combines taught modules with a substantial independent research project. Teaching draws on history, English literature, art history, archaeology, theology and palaeography to give a broad but rigorous grounding in medieval Europe and related regions from late antiquity to the late Middle Ages.

• Core research training – research methods and historiography, manuscript and source handling, and techniques for working with primary medieval texts and material culture.
• Language and palaeography – opportunities to study medieval Latin and vernacular languages, and to develop skills in reading manuscripts and diplomatic texts.
• Thematic modules – typical topics include religion and society, kingship and courts, saints and pilgrimage, law and administration, gender and family, and medieval thought and belief.
• Material and visual culture – study of medieval art, architecture, coins, ceramics and archaeological evidence alongside manuscript illumination and book history.
• Digital methods – training in digital approaches to medieval sources, such as codicology tools, database work, GIS for landscape studies, and digital editions.
• Dissertation – a guided independent research project on a specialised topic chosen with supervisory support, allowing you to apply skills gained in taught modules to original research.

Teaching methods include small-group seminars, source workshops, language classes, object-handling sessions and one-to-one supervision. Assessment is by essays, source portfolios, presentations, occasional exams and the final dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree (typically a UK upper second class or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as history, literature, art history, archaeology, theology or a cognate subject. Applicants with lower-class degrees plus relevant professional or research experience may also be considered.

Selection takes account of academic transcripts, references, a personal statement outlining your interests and aims, and, when requested, a sample of written work or a short research proposal. International applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English in line with the University of York's postgraduate language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA Medieval Studies move into a wide range of careers that value advanced research, language and source-critical skills. Common pathways include:

• Academic research and doctoral study (PhD programmes in medieval history, literature, art history, archaeology and related fields)
• Museum and heritage work (curation, interpretation, conservation support, documentation)
• Archives, libraries and special collections (cataloguing, digitisation projects, public engagement)
• Publishing, journalism and cultural organisations (editing, content development, education)
• Education and teaching (secondary and further education, outreach)
• Digital humanities and information management (text encoding, digital editions, research data management)

The programme emphasises transferable skills — critical thinking, advanced written communication, source analysis and project management — that are valued across the cultural and public sectors as well as in private research and consultancy.

Why study at University of York

York is one of the UK's leading centres for medieval scholarship, with an active Centre for Medieval Studies that fosters interdisciplinary teaching and research across departments. The university's academic staff include specialists in medieval history, literature, art and archaeology, enabling a rich choice of supervision for dissertation projects.

Students benefit from close links to local and national heritage institutions, including cathedral and city archives, museums and archaeological organisations, which provide opportunities for seminars, object-based learning and placements. The University of York's special collections and libraries offer strong holdings in medieval manuscripts and printed sources, supporting both taught work and independent research.

Small-group teaching, regular research seminars and a collaborative intellectual culture make the MA a suitable preparation for doctoral study or professional work in museums, archives, education and cultural heritage.