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Public History

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MA Public History draws upon the established strength and expertise of the UCD School of History. Within this program you will work closely with historians who are active in the practice of public history and commemorations. This course offers you the opportunity to build a tailored skillset that will allow you to disseminate history across multiple media, to explore how history can inform public discourse, and to shape policy in culture, education, politics, and the media. Through a mix of academic and practical modules, you will be guided through the theory and application of public history. The course also offers the opportunity for students to undertake relevant work experience in podcasting, publishing, policy, and print media.

UCD is an ideal base for the research of Irish and public history, both because of its renowned archives and the James Joyce library. UCD is also very conveniently located for the use of Dublin city centre research and cultural institutions, including the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives where an extensive range of Irish manuscripts and Irish state papers are housed.

 
  • Provides successful graduates with both theoretical and practical skills to disseminate history across multiple platforms
  • Develops skillset as a historian alongside interdisciplinary analysis of memory studies and commemoration
  • Practical skills in podcasting, exhibitions, and conference organisation

About This Course

The course consists of a mixture of traditional history and public history modules. A built-in internship module offers students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a variety of real-world settings. Previous internships have been arranged at Marsh’s Library, Century Ireland, Newstalk FM, Dublin City Council Culture Company, the National Folklore Collection, and UCD’s own History Hub. Students will develop the ability to understand historical problems in a comparative framework, while the dissertation module develops significant research skills.

 

Module offerings include:​


  • An Introduction to Public History

  • Practicising Public History

  • Disseminating History

  • Dissertation

Students graduating from this programme will be equipped for careers in media, history, further academic study (PhD programmes), research, policy, heritage, and education (both within Ireland and abroad). The quality and versatility of MA programmes within the School of History has allowed its graduates to pursue careers in a wide range of professions including journalism, publishing, teaching, government, law, archives, public relations, and librarianship.

 

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42350 Practising Public History Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42690 Delving into the Archives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42020 Disseminating History Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42880 Dissertation Year-long (12 months)  30
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS41840 Approaches to the Middle Ages Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42390 Global Revolutions Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42460 Pop Culture in Modern Ireland Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42470 Global History MA Methods Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42810 French Colonial Identities in North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42840 Modern Asia Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42850 NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42970 Gender in Ireland, 1500-1800 Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42380 Research Collaboration Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS41850 Approaches to the MiddleAges II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
You must take two options from the following list and you should balance your workload across the trimesters. Students are encouraged to take one 10 credit module from the list below in the autumn and one 10 credit module in the spring.
HIS42980 Middle East State & Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42380 Research Collaboration Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42360 Public History Internship Programme Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42480 War, Peace, and Globalisation Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42950 How the West came to rule Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Students should select HIS42360 or ONE of the following Spring options not already selected
HIS42980 Middle East State & Society Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

SDG4 SDG5 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 SDG 16

Hayley Kilgallon
MA  2018

I was drawn to the course because I was keen to explore the different avenues that historians can apply their training to. Through a mixture of theory and practice-based learning, the modules on this course have done just that. Our assessment during the course was largely practice-based and included assignments which required us to research, write and record our own podcast; prepare and deliver a segment for a walking tour of Dublin; and design exhibition panels. While there is a considerable focus on practical tasks, this programme is still rooted in academic training and allows students to research and write a dissertation on a topic of their choosing. Challenging yet rewarding, I would recommend this programme to anyone who wants to explore the various ways in which a degree in History can be useful whether you are interested in academia, media, politics, or the cultural sector.

Public History (Z247) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

Public History (Z248) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4660
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Students may also consider:

The Margaret MacCurtain Scholarship in Women's History (see UCD School of History website)

A primary degree in an appropriate field such as a Bachelor of Arts, or in a cognate discipline. You must supply details of any third level institutions you have attended and professional qualifications you have attained.

Excellent academic grades 2H1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA 3.2 NFQ Level 8. Transcripts will be required.

You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake  the course.

Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6 in each element), or equivalent.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


This course is open to graduates from the humanities, social sciences, or cognate disciplines. Students will combine the traditional study of History with specialist training in the theory and practice of public history. 



 


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Public History:

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Public History
Master of Arts

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Commencing September 2025
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Public History
Master of Arts

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