PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA History
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2008 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
SHS
Parent Department:
History
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
www.ucl.ac.uk/history
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full/Part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
2.1 degree in History or related discipline
Length of the programme:
1 calendar year full-time, 2 calendar years part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7 - Masters
No M-level benchmark statement at date of production.
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(1) A core course: Advanced Skills, Concepts and Theories for MA
Historians (30 credits):
(see guidance notes)
This course provides students with training in essential research skills
and introduces them to a broad range of methodologies and critical
issues in contemporary historiography. It displays the richness and
variety of the current practice of history, whilst providing students with
the technical and intellectual apparatus to pursue their own research
interests under expert guidance.
(2) Optional history courses (60 credits)
(3) Dissertation of up to 15,000 words (90 credits)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners: MA History
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
To provide a broad programme in History at Masters level, that provides training for future research students, and
provides a conversion course non-historians wishing to pursue research in History
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. A range of critical issues in current
historiography;
2. A body of historical knowledge
concerning two distinct fields of
historical enquiry;
3. A specialist theme or subject that will
have been explored through archival
research
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of 1 through the the core course
Acquisition of 2 through the optional modules
Acquisition of 3 through the dissertation
Assessment: Assessment is by written coursework
essays and a dissertation
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
The programme aims to help students:
1. analyse and reflect critically on
historical texts;
2. assess critically different
historiographical and methodological
approaches;
3. develop and sustain historical
arguments, formulating appropriate
questions and using evidence;
4. Design a research topic and carry out
the necessary primary research;
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 - 3. Seminars for the core course and field of study
courses; private reading and preparation.
4. Training through the core course and individual
supervision of dissertation
Assessment:
1-3 Assessed by coursework essays.
4. Assessed by 15,000 word dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
This programme aims to help students
with the following practical skills:
1. effective written communication
2. effective oral communication and
participation in group discussion
3. use of databases and other electronic
resources
4. Bibliographic techniques
5. Formulation of a research project
6. Use of primary source materials
.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Through writing coursework essays
2. Through participation in seminars and presentation
on dissertation topic at dissertation conference
3-6 Through the core course
Assessment:
1. Through written coursework
2. Through compulsory oral presentation at dissertation
conference
3-7 Through dissertation
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
The programme will encourage students
to:
1. communicate effectively orally and in
writing
2. use library, archive and computer
resources and information technology
3. Assess evidence and construct an
argument
4. Manage their time effectively and work
to deadlines
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Participation in seminars and dissertation conference,
and preparation of coursework
2. Exercises on core course
3. Preparation of coursework essays
4. Meeting coursework deadlines and planning
dissertation.
Assessment:
1. Coursework essays and compulsory oral assessment
2. Coursework essays and dissertation
3 Coursework essays and dissertation
4.Coursework essays and dissertation
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Coskun Tuncer
Name(s):
Date of Production:
May 2008
Date of Review:
30 July 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
November 2015
November 2015