Overview
Public history masters. MA History and Public Memory at Durham University: 6 assessed courses, 180 credits and 1,800 notional learning hours, at 10 hours per credit. The hours on each course add up to that total. Seminars run online. A Durham collegiate campus route is published separately from this online award.
MA History and Public Memory is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 180. Students move from The working week in History and Public Memory through The working week in History and Public Memory; Evidence in History and Public Memory; The system around History and Public Memory; Rules that bind History and Public Memory; A manager's brief in History and Public Memory; Capstone in History and Public Memory, and finish on Capstone in History and Public Memory.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Produce a professional file in History and Public Memory Choose a method and write what the evidence cannot support Keep a record a third party can review
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Each credit is 10 notional learning hours. The courses add up to 180 credits and 1,800 hours.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦People already working around History and Public Memory
- ✦Career-changers who can study without leaving their city
- ✦Teams who need a file they can review, not a slogan
Faculty spotlight
Durham University supervises the courses and the final assessed file. Supervision is assigned from the school that owns the award.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Produce a professional file in History and Public Memory
- ✦Choose a method and write what the evidence cannot support
- ✦Keep a record a third party can review
- ✦State the limit of the award
- ✦Submit the final project inside the published hours
Career Pathways
- ✦History and Public Memory lead
- ✦History and Public Memory analyst
- ✦History and Public Memory coordinator
- ✦Advisor, History and Public Memory
- ✦Project officer, History and Public Memory
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Stage 1 — 900 hours
S1MWP01The working week in History and Public Memory- S1MWP01-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — The working week in History and Public Memory
- S1MWP01-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — The working week in History and Public Memory
- S1MWP01-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — The working week in History and Public Memory
- S1MWP01-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — The working week in History and Public Memory
- S1MWP01-M5 · Revision after feedback — The working week in History and Public Memory
- S1MWP01-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — The working week in History and Public Memory
30 creditsS1MMP02Evidence in History and Public Memory- S1MMP02-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Evidence in History and Public Memory
- S1MMP02-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Evidence in History and Public Memory
- S1MMP02-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Evidence in History and Public Memory
- S1MMP02-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Evidence in History and Public Memory
- S1MMP02-M5 · Revision after feedback — Evidence in History and Public Memory
- S1MMP02-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Evidence in History and Public Memory
30 creditsS1MCQ03The system around History and Public Memory- S1MCQ03-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — The system around History and Public Memory
- S1MCQ03-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — The system around History and Public Memory
- S1MCQ03-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — The system around History and Public Memory
- S1MCQ03-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — The system around History and Public Memory
- S1MCQ03-M5 · Revision after feedback — The system around History and Public Memory
- S1MCQ03-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — The system around History and Public Memory
30 creditsStage 2 — 900 hours
S1OAN04Rules that bind History and Public Memory- S1OAN04-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
- S1OAN04-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
- S1OAN04-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
- S1OAN04-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
- S1OAN04-M5 · Revision after feedback — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
- S1OAN04-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Rules that bind History and Public Memory
30 creditsS1O0N05A manager's brief in History and Public Memory- S1O0N05-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
- S1O0N05-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
- S1O0N05-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
- S1O0N05-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
- S1O0N05-M5 · Revision after feedback — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
- S1O0N05-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — A manager's brief in History and Public Memory
30 creditsS1NQO06Capstone in History and Public Memory- S1NQO06-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Capstone in History and Public Memory
- S1NQO06-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Capstone in History and Public Memory
- S1NQO06-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Capstone in History and Public Memory
- S1NQO06-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Capstone in History and Public Memory
- S1NQO06-M5 · Revision after feedback — Capstone in History and Public Memory
- S1NQO06-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Capstone in History and Public Memory
30 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, or equivalent professional standing considered by admissions
Documents
- A statement of about 500 words on why this award fits your work
- Two references, academic or professional
- A CV
Programme questions
How long is the MA History and Public Memory?+
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.