Course summary

The MSc Economic History (Research) provides the essential training and skills needed to pursue research in any aspect of economic history. You will be able to choose from a wide range of elective courses in economic history, allowing you to compile a programme according to your interests and career goals. You will also choose one or more research training courses and a compulsory economic history course, as well as taking a core course focused on major theories and approaches in the field. An important component of the programme consists in the completion of a major research dissertation in an approved topic of your choice. Economic history combines the skills of the economist and statistician with those of the historian, political scientist and sociologist. The programme provides a broad training in social science research methods and their application to historical study, including the role of theory, evaluation, analysis and explanation, quantitative techniques and computing, the use of sources and presentational skills. This research track can be taken as a stand-alone qualification or as the first year of a research degree, followed by 3–4 years of MPhil/PhD, which would then make it eligible for ESRC funding. You should indicate in your personal statement if you wish to be considered for the 1+3 programme and submit an outline research proposal.