A postgraduate course in Arts and Humanities.

MA History part 2 is primarily focused on the planning and writing of a 15,000 word dissertation and will build on skills and knowledge gained from MA History part 1 (A825). The dissertation tests your ability to present a sustained academic argument in clear, logical prose. You’re not expected to make an original contribution to scholarly knowledge, but you must demonstrate an understanding of work done in the subject area, with a thorough survey of primary and secondary sources. Your tutor will support you in the development of your work.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

Your dissertation must be related to the work you carried out for your end-of-module assessment in MA History part 1 (A825). Your tutor will help you to decide what is feasible.

While the work you produce will not be expected to be entirely original (originality of that kind is a requirement for a PhD), you will be expected to undertake a survey of the relevant primary and secondary sources and to be up to date with recent publications on your chosen subject. You must, however, base your research on primary sources. Your dissertation must be well written and must show that you are confident in creating the scholarly apparatus necessary to support your argument, using the Modern Humanities Research Association (MHRA) conventions.

The first task for A826 will be the production of an outline proposal with relevant bibliography, to be discussed with and approved by your tutor and the Examination and Assessment Board. Your tutor will provide feedback and recommend any necessary revisions. You will next provide a full dissertation plan and sample chapter upon which your tutor will provide further feedback. You will then draw on this guidance to produce your dissertation, which will be an independent research thesis of 15,000 words. This will be assessed by your tutor and a second marker. Their recommendations will help to determine the result awarded by the Examination and Assessment Board.

You will learn

This is the second part of a two-part programme, which, continuing from part 1, will:

• provide you with further advanced training in the postgraduate study of history, develop the skills you acquired in part 1 and enable you to apply them in a research project and dissertation
• further enhance your knowledge and understanding of key issues in the study of history, of how to conduct research and of how history is communicated in a scholarly fashion
• provide further advanced training in research methods and hands on experience for a clearly defined project
• enable you to present your findings in a dissertation showing how your research relates to one or other of the course themes and to historical discourse generally.

Vocational relevance

When combined with successful completion of MA History part 1 (A825), this course will provide you with theoretical and practical training in major themes in local and regional history, research methods, project planning and writing a dissertation. It will be valuable if you have, or are planning, a career as a teacher, librarian, museum or heritage professional, or have an interest in the subject and want to develop your historical skills. Careers where history would be useful include journalism, writing, and careers in the civil service or public administration. History can open up options to a wide range of careers.

Entry

You must have passed MA History part 1 (A825) before you take this course.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Outside the UK

While it would be theoretically possible to study elsewhere, the course has as its prime target those wishing to study in Britain and Ireland. You will need physical access to historical records (such as those held in libraries, archives or record offices) within Britain or Ireland to complete the course.

Qualifications

A826 is a compulsory module in our:

• MA in History (F28)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

During your studies you will need to use suitable primary historical data sources (such as local archives). These may not be available as online resources; in which case, you may need to arrange physical access to their location (such as a library or other public record office).

Study materials

What's included

You will receive a Dissertation Guide explaining some of the general processes involved in writing at postgraduate level. You will have access to a dedicated website, including online forums, and electronic resources via the Open University Library.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Your tutor will help you decide upon a suitable dissertation topic and provide feedback on drafts of your work at set points in the course. Your tutor will also support you via online forums (on the A826 website), or by email or telephone as appropriate. There is one national day school where you can meet your tutor.

Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

You must submit your dissertation in hard copy, according to the instructions you will receive during the course.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in May 2014. We expect it to be available once a year.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Empire: 1492-1975 (A326)
• Exploring history: medieval to modern 1400-1900 (A200)
• World archaeology (A251)
• Exploring the classical world (A219)

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

Your questions

Try our frequently asked questions.

Come and meet us at an event near you.

Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

Contact Corporate Enquiries
Visit our website for employers or Email us

Get a prospectus

The University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.