Midlands and Local History MA / PGCert / PGDip

From the furnaces of the Black Country to the Shropshire Hills, explore the region’s development and the changing experiences of local people and their communities. Take your passion for the local area and its history to the next level. 

Course structure

You’ll work with leading academics, and access outstanding facilities, including the Cadbury Research Library and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Experience field trips to local heritage sites, where you’ll put your classroom learning into practice.

Delivered part-time through monthly Saturday schools, this flexible course lets you combine academic study with work, caring responsibilities, or other commitments.

You’ll receive specialist training in local history, and combine this with broader history studies - from the Reformation and Civil Wars to the Industrial Revolution and the 1980s race riots. By completing this degree, you’ll deepen your knowledge of Midlands history and you’ll understand how local history interacts with wider change across the world.

• Study in a department ranked eighth in the country in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, according to Times Higher Education.   
• Expand your knowledge of local history and deepen your understanding of the Midlands’ place in national history.
• Take advantage of opportunities to get involved and exchange ideas, from seminars at our Saturday school to field trips and visits across the Midlands region.
• Studying in the Centre for Midlands History and Cultures, you’ll meet academic experts, students and wider organisations who share your passion for local history.

Birmingham's central position within the region

Our status as the largest Midlands city make it an ideal place to study and research the history of the Midlands. Access a wealth of resources from the University Library, the Library of Birmingham, record offices and museums of the region. There’s no better location to put your study of the Midlands and of local history into practice. 

The course is delivered through Saturday schools (three per term), from 10:00 - 17:00, with lectures, seminars, small group workshops and field trips.

Opportunities for individual tutorial support are available outside the day schools.

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Saturday schools – there are three full-day Saturday schools per term with teaching via lectures, seminars and small group workshops.
• Field trips – you’ll visit local heritage sites in the Midlands
• For MA students only, you’ll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.

You can choose to study a PG Certificate (PGCert) or PG Diploma (PGDip) rather than a full MA. A PGCert and PGDip don't include the dissertation element. The length of your course depends on which type of qualification you choose and whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. 

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject like History, Politics, Cultural Studies or Literature. For the PG Cert, an A-level in a relevant humanities subject(s) at grade C or above (or equivalent) will also be considered. 

Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry. Students come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds and all applications will be judged on their merits.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our History and Heritage graduates enter many roles, including:

• Events and Exhibitions Assistant and Heritage Guide
• Project Development Researcher
• Collections Assistant

Employers our History and Heritage graduates have worked for include:

• English Heritage
• Historic England
• Cottonwood Mansion Museum

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.