Become part of LSE! Join the Department of International History, one of the world’s leading centres for historical study and research. History at LSE is consistently ranked amongst the top ten in the QS World University subject league tables, and in the top three in the UK and Europe.
The one-year MA in Modern History provides broad coverage of the origins, formation and reinvention of the modern world. This is enabled by a research-oriented approach rooted in the humanities.
The degree provides broad coverage of the origins, formation and reinvention of the modern world, and has three main elements: a research-oriented approach rooted in the humanities (which will give students the opportunity to engage with scholarship across disciplines within the School); a timeframe which embraces early modern, modern and contemporary history (which complements social scientific research on our world today); and a 10,000-word dissertation in which students elaborate their own understanding of the nature and genealogy of the modern world (via a topic decided in consultation with a supervisor).
The MA in History gives students a firm grasp of the nature and genealogy of the modern world and furnishes secure foundations for more advanced research.
Graduate Destinations
Very few people with a degree in history go on to work as historians, but students with a degree in international history have many skills that are in high demand today. LSE history graduates find employment in almost any job sector due to the wide range of transferable skills developed during their studies. They go on to work in the foreign service, the EU, political think tanks, risk assessment, journalism or the NGO sector, or stay on to take a research degree.
LSE History students continue to have one of the ten best rates of employability after graduation in the UK. In the case of the Complete University Guide for 2022, LSE History ranked 1st for job prospects. In the Guardian’s Best UK Universities 2021 league table LSE History reached 2nd place for percentage of graduates who find graduate-level jobs, or are in further study at professional or HE level, within fifteen months of graduation.
Find out about the support available to students through LSE Careers and LSE Alumni.
Scholarships and other funding
LSE recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. We make available over GBP 15 million annually in financial aid for our students with both Home and Overseas fee status through a wide variety of scholarships, such as the Graduate Support Scheme, Master’s Awards and Anniversary Scholarships. Around one quarter of our graduate students receive financial support from the School.
At master’s level, the value of support given by LSE ranges in value from 10 per cent of the tuition fee to a full fees and maintenance award.
LSE is ranked third in the world for the study of social sciences and management (QS World QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
How to apply for graduate study
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UK, EU and Non-EU applicants
LSE is stimulating, cosmopolitan and very much part of the “real world”. Why LSE? We offer a unique opportunity to study the social sciences in a uni...