University of Leicester

What you'll study

This MA develops advanced historical skills alongside specialist knowledge of the Holocaust and comparative genocide. Teaching is research‑led and draws on primary sources, survivor testimony and interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, law, memory studies and political science.

• Core research methods: historical research techniques, archival practice, oral history methodology and critical source analysis to prepare you for independent research and the dissertation.
• Holocaust history and historiography: political, social and cultural dimensions of the Holocaust; key debates in interpretation and the use of testimony and archives.
• Genocide studies: comparative approaches to mass violence, theories of genocide, case studies beyond Europe, and legal and ethical frameworks.
• Memory, representation and testimony: memory cultures, museums and memorialisation, visual and literary representations, and the role of education in commemoration.
• Optional modules and pathways: students typically choose from options covering topics such as wartime social history, migration and displacement, human rights, and archival practice to tailor the degree to their interests.
• Dissertation: a substantial piece of independent research (primary and/or secondary sources), supervised by academic staff with expertise in Holocaust and genocide studies.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a UK upper second‑class honours degree (2:1) or an international equivalent in history or a related discipline. Candidates with a lower second‑class degree (2:2) plus relevant professional experience, or with demonstrable academic potential from a different discipline, are also considered.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in historical methods and in the study of mass violence, memory or human rights. English language proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English; approved qualifications or tests demonstrating the ability to study at postgraduate level will be necessary.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme move into a wide range of careers that value research, critical thinking and specialist knowledge of conflict, memory and human rights. Typical paths include:

• Museum, archive and heritage work, including curatorship and collections management.
• Education and public engagement roles in schools, cultural organisations and community programmes.
• Policy, advocacy and programme roles in NGOs and international organisations focused on human rights, reparations and transitional justice.
• Research and doctoral study in history, genocide studies and related social sciences.
• Media, publishing, and communications roles that require expertise in historical interpretation and ethical representation of sensitive material.

Why study at University of Leicester

Leicester is one of the UK universities with a long‑standing institutional commitment to Holocaust and genocide scholarship. The programme benefits from close links with the University’s specialist centres and collections, providing access to archives, survivor testimony and dedicated research facilities.

Students gain from teaching by scholars active in international research networks and from regular public lectures, seminars and collaborative events with museums and external partners. The university’s emphasis on interdisciplinary study and public engagement ensures you develop practical skills for working with sensitive historical material in educational, curatorial and policy contexts.

The city of Leicester offers good transport links and a vibrant cultural scene, enabling connections with regional museums, community organisations and research projects that enhance practical learning and employability.