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Global History

MA (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The  Global History MA is designed to encourage you to think about historical problems beyond their local, national and regional contexts, training you to think about how historical change happens because of the interaction of local, global and international factors. It is suitable for students who have previously studied history, as well as for graduates of related subjects like law, business and economics, modern languages, or social sciences. All of our teaching at postgraduate level consists of seminar style debates led by a world-class researchers. We do not lecture postgraduate students. Our courses will help you to understand and critically think about the latest international scholarship upon the subjects that interest you most. 

 

The School of History offers a thriving research culture with a range of seminars and in-house conferences organised. 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 manuscripts and state papers are housed.

 

The combination of international, comparative, and global history perspectives that is unique to the UCD Global History MA will help you to better understand the ways in which enhanced global integration has shaped and continues to shape the world.

About This Course

Our course includes training in methodology and research, as well as cutting edge seminar courses on subjects like Gender, Empires and Imperialism, War and Political Violence (including terrorism, genocide and mass violence), Medicine, Religion, Revolution, Nationalism and Globalization. Every student is free to choose their own degree pathway and the modules on offer include courses in medieval, early-modern and modern history. Our geographical expertise covers most of the world.

The modules are taught through seminars and you will develop expertise in presenting, analytical thinking, effective communication, and writing with clarity and precision. 

Our graduates progress to a wide range of interesting careers. 
Many of our alumni work in international business, foreign affairs and Dublin's vibrant tech sector, where a background in the global humanities is particularly valued. Other graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, the media, NGOs and the Arts, whilst some continue on to PhD research.

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
HIS42470 Global History MA Methods 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 - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS33010 Global History before AD 1000 Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42390 Global Revolutions Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42690 Delving into the Archives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42850 NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42380 Research Collaboration Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42490 Landscape and Environment in Ireland, 1500-1800 Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42840 Modern Asia Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)4 of:
Students must take 4 of these modules, 2 in the Autumn term and 2 in the Spring term.
HIS42950 How the West came to rule Spring  10

Evan O’Quigley 
MA 2014 

I completed an MA in the History of Totalitarianism, where I specialised in the history of artists and intellectuals in East-Central Europe. I currently work as the Marketing and Communications Executive for EisnerAmper Ireland, a professional services firm in the financial sector. Before taking up this role, I worked in a variety of financial and journalism roles, with bylines in the University Observer and Politico.ie.  

 

Global History (Z347) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

Global History (Z348) 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.

 

Minimum of 2.1  or international equivalent  BA History or a cognate subject. Minimum of 2.1 in BA History or a cognate subject.

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 History or cognate disciplines. 


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

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z347
Global History
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z348
Global History
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page