External summary

The University of Edinburgh boasts a large and diverse collection of medieval scholars, with over 70 members of staff attached to the cross-school Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

The MSc in Medieval History offers the opportunity to pursue a wide range of historical interests in small, seminar-based classes, led by scholars actively engaged in research and publication in their particular fields. Optional courses within the subject area, or as part of other medieval programmes at the University, range widely in terms of chronology (Classical Antiquity to the Renaissance), geography (the western fringes of Dark Age Europe to the eastern Mediterranean) and methodology. A flexible programme structure allows development of the specialised medieval palaeographic and language skills required for research at doctoral level.

Teaching expertise is enhanced by impressive local resources for the advanced study of Medieval history. Aside from our own university library (one of the largest of its kind in Europe) Edinburgh is the home of the National Library of Scotland and the National Archives (Scotland). The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies is also the focus for a vibrant research culture that includes weekly seminars and the annual Denys Hay lecture.

Educational aims of programme

Medieval History is concerned broadly with all aspects of European history between about 400 and 1500 A.D. This programme is designed to provide a grounding for all students in the principal categories of surviving evidence, of the technical skills needed to read them, namely, palaeography and linguistic knowledge (generally Latin), and of the value of an interdisciplinary approach to medieval research. Further, students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of selected themes and topics in a way that enables them to select and execute an independent piece of research. Students will benefit from proximity to the rich manuscript collections at the National Library of Scotland and the National Archives, as well as the printed holdings at the National Library, and elsewhere in Edinburgh.

The principal aims of the programme are:

• to offer, at an advanced level, both a broad approach to the study of the medieval period and the opportunity to specialise;
• to equip students with the necessary skills to engage in independent historical research;
• to provide training in the formulation and successful execution of a substantial piece of research on a topic of medieval history;
• to develop the intellectual and technical skills of students wishing to proceed to PhD study, and to enable them to apply successfully for funding for the more advanced programme.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

• understanding of medieval societies and cultures and ways of critically engaging with and examining them
• specialist understanding of at least two fields of study, including issues surrounding the main sources of evidence and the state of scholarship
• awareness of the wide range of scholarly methodologies and academic disciplines applicable to Medieval History

• advanced knowledge of historiography of major themes and problems of medieval history;

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

• effective retrieval of scattered and highly technical information
• ability to evaluate critically a range of relevant scholarly methodologies and to choose and apply successfully the most effective one(s) necessary to answer specific research questions
• ability to evaluate ‘primary’ sources of evidence of the past in order to draw valid conclusions about it
• advanced appreciation of historiographical/epistemological methodology and ability to assess existing understanding and the limitations of knowledge in connection with this field
• ability to produce a sustained and effective analysis of a difficult research problem

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

• critical thinking and reading as applied to fragmentary evidence and/or scholarly argument
• ability to develop a strong grasp of complex subjects through directed reading
• ability to test, modify and strengthen one’s own views through collaboration and debate
• ability to identify and carry out a viable research project with occasional supervision, but with readiness to take responsibility for one’s own learning

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

• language skills
• development of existing reading/writing skills as applied to increasingly technical problems
• delivering effective oral presentations of complex ideas to seminar groups
• ability to marshal argument lucidly and coherently under pressure
• ability to collaborate with and/or relate to others in the search for answers

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

• ability to approach problems with academic rigour, imagination and mental agility
• possession of an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of study in this area of enquiry, as well as the capacity to question these
• preparing balanced and accessible discussions of complex issues and detailed material
• giving and receiving constructive criticism in a professional manner, and ability to identify one’s own academic strengths, weaknesses and limitations
• composing concise but effective arguments to firm deadlines
• ability to work effectively and professionally in a seminar/group discussion atmosphere

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

• IT skills connected with Internet use, word processing and visual presentations
• command of bibliographical and library and/or archival research skills
• analytical reading skills

Programme structure and features

Students taking the Medieval History MSc choose a variety of courses over two semesters amounting to 120 credits. These courses are divided into three key groups, and candidates must take at least one course from each of these groups.

Core Courses: The Sources of Medieval History, Approaches to Medieval Culture and Society, Palaeography and Codicology.

Skills: usually Latin, but other medieval language options may be taken.

Options: A variety of seminar based courses reflecting the research specialisms of the Medieval historians and their colleagues in other schools.

The final, and single most significant element, of the programme is the dissertation (60 credits), which is begun in the second semester.

Courses that may be available:

Progression requirements

Following the coursework stage (based on semester one and two courses), the Board of Examiners meets in May and is responsible for deciding whether students have satisfied the requirements of the Diploma stage of the programme and whether candidates can progress to the dissertation stage of candidature for the Masters programme.

In order to progress to the masters dissertation candidates

• attain at least 80 credits with a pass at masters level or more in each of the separate elements and

• be awarded an aggregate pass at masters level for the 120 credits of study in semesters one and two

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Practices

The programme's outcomes, detailed below, are assessed by means of coursework for the courses taken and the dissertation. Coursework will total approximately 18,000 words, while the dissertation is 12,000 words.

Modes of Study

The programme may be taken full time over twelve months or part-time over twenty four months.

Exit Awards

Requirements for the Award of the Diploma

In order to be awarded the diploma candidates must:

• attain at least 80 credits with a pass at diploma level or more in each of the separate elements and

• be awarded an aggregate pass at diploma level for the 120 credits of study examined for the diploma

Requirements for the Award of the MSc

In order to be awarded a masters degree candidates must:

• have satisfied the requirements for progression, as laid out above, and

• attain 60 credits, by achieving a pass at masters level for the dissertation

Requirements of the Award of the MSc with Distinction

The Masters degree may be awarded with distinction. To achieve a distinction, a student must have been awarded at least 70% on the University’s Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme for the dissertation and must also have been awarded a mark of at least 69% for the coursework element. 

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Specific activities will vary with course options taken, but will include lectures, seminars and workshops.

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessment

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit. 

Various assessment methods are used dependent on course options taken, but may include:

• Essays

• Dissertation

• Written examination

• Power point presentation

• Poster presentation

Career opportunities

This programme is designed to provide a grounding for all students in the principal categories of surviving evidence, of the technical skills needed to read them, and of the value of an interdisciplinary approach to medieval research.  Students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of selected themes and topics in a way that enables them to select and execute an independent piece of research, and develop the intellectual and technical skills to proceed to PhD study should they wish.

Whilst some graduates may proceed to a PhD, others might pursue their interest in working in related areas such as museum work, the cultural heritage industry, or education for example.  Whilst others will enter work or vocational training in areas unrelated to their academic studies.  

Having chosen courses of interest to them, each graduate’s programme will be different, and a further element of personalisation will have been provided by their dissertation topic.  Outlined in this DPS are a range of specific skills and abilities they have the potential to develop.  Graduates may also combine skills gained from their undergraduate studies, along with other non-academic experience, to decide on their next steps. 

Given that the career options are broad, an ability to identify their individual interests, motivations and skill set, to research opportunities, and gather sufficient relevant experience  is key to success.  For information and support with career planning, consult the postgraduate section of the Careers Service website:  www.ed.ac.uk/careers/postgrad

Other items

The Programme Director is responsible for monitoring and reporting on students’ overall academic progress, as well as offering pastoral support. Graduate Officers in the relevant subject area will offer additional academic and pastoral advice and support to each student.  The Graduate School Director will ensure that a supervisor is appointed to guide students through the process of completing the dissertation.

Access is provided to a networked wireless graduate study room with 38 desktop PCs, as well as two further graduate study rooms containing book collections, wireless networking and study space. These are maintained by Information Services via an e-Learning and Web Development Officer. Information Services also offer students access to training courses in a range of computing applications. 

MSc students are also encouraged to engage with and attend the various research seminar programmes organised by the School so as to familiarise themselves with current research issues and to develop their discursive skills.