This module focuses on the development, to an advanced level, of core skills in primary and secondary source analysis and the ability to communicate research in a range of formats to academic and non-academic audiences. Module materials address a broad range of themes and topics, as well as the diverse histories of people living in Britain and Ireland in the early modern and modern periods, including histories of women and other marginalised groups.
Before you begin, you’ll be asked to specialise in either early modern (c.1500–c.1780) or modern history (c.1750–c.1970). All students study the same material at the start of the module, which begins by reviewing and interrogating the core principles of the discipline to understand what it means to be a historian. You'll survey the many different forms of history practised inside and outside the academy and examine the craft of the historian: research, analysis and communication. You'll also address the ways in which the discipline and our understanding of history have been shaped by the enfranchisement of various groups within society over time.
From Block 2 onwards, you'll specialise in the study of either early modern or modern Britain and Ireland. This will involve studying the approaches historians have taken in their research and writing on your chosen period. You'll become immersed in the key historiographical debates and trends, and acquire training in the use of sources peculiar to your specialist period. For example, you might examine early modern images and manuscripts or modern sound recordings and moving images.
In Block 3, you'll choose between two specialist themes. One theme will focus on your period of specialism, and the other will take a longue durée approach, or in other words, span a longer duration of time. If you're specialising in early modern history, you may opt for a theme on political communication from c.1500 to c.1750, and if you specialise in modern history, you may opt for a theme on environment and landscape history from c.1750 to c.1970. All students have the option of studying the longue durée theme on interpersonal violence from c.1500 to c.1970.
Block 4 provides another opportunity for theme-based study. If you're specialising in early modern history, you may opt for a theme on bodies and health, c.1550 to c.1780, and if you specialise in modern history, you may choose a theme focusing on the history of modern institutions. Alternatively, all students have the option of studying a longue durée theme, in this case focusing on immigration to Britain and Ireland between c.1500 and c.1970.
Throughout Blocks 3 and 4, you will be exposed to and receive training in using a wide range of specialist resources for primary source research.
This module will:
The module will contribute to enhancing your prospects in careers such as teaching, libraries, archives, museums, heritage and tourism industries, as well as providing content relevant to the continuing professional development of employees in public-facing roles such as education, police, and social and health services.
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Tuition will be delivered by means of online tutorials and online forums.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
Set books:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
A883 is a compulsory module in our:
A883 is an option module in our:
Sometimes you cannot count a module towards a qualification if you have already counted another module with similar content. To verify any excluded combinations with this module, check with an adviser before registering.
MA History part 1 starts once a year – in September.
This page describes the module that will start in September 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in September 2033.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
You must hold an honours degree (or equivalent) to study our MA in History. Although your degree does not need to be in History or a closely related subject, you will need some knowledge of the subject to successfully complete this qualification, as the MA in History assumes all students have the knowledge and skills usually acquired by pursuing the subject at undergraduate level.
An honours degree of at least 2.1 (or equivalent) will greatly increase your chances of successfully completing the MA in History.
Alternative entry
Applications from candidates who don't have an honours degree but do have knowledge and skills relevant to studying history at postgraduate level, demonstrable through a track record of prior study and/or work experience (paid or voluntary), will be considered. Applicants must include the following information when returning the requested entry check documentary evidence.
Additional considerations
If your degree or background is not in history, or if you would simply like to sharpen your understanding of the discipline, we strongly recommend completing the Open Learn course What do historians do? This free course explores some of the ways historians work and the types of evidence they use to develop our understanding of the past.
It is expected that your spoken and written English will also be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for more details.
If you're in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications or previous experience, please contact us.
Open Learn offers two free courses which are designed to prepare students for postgraduate study: Succeeding in postgraduate study and Are you ready for postgraduate study? We strongly encourage you to complete one or both.
As this module focuses on the use of digital resources for the study of history, we also recommend the Open Learn course Digital Humanities: Humanities research in the digital age, which will help you to develop your research skills.
If you wish to prepare for this module, you are encouraged to read The Pursuit of History: Aims, Methods, and New Directions in the Study of History by J. Tosh. This is the set book for this module.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components and electronic journals may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader; this applies in particular to historical records that may have been scanned for use online. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.
During this module, you may need to use primary historical data sources (such as local archives) which may not be available as online resources. In this case, you may need to arrange physical access to their location (such as at a library or other public record office).
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
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| 05 Sep 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | 13 Aug 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
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Joint loan applications
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As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
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We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
