Decisions and guidelines

The Department of History at Uppsala University is responsible for the programme. It is part of a co-operation between the universities in Tammerfors (Finland), Oslo (Norway) and Oldenburg (Germany).

The programme starts every autumn semester.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits, with a major in history studies (90 credits). Proof of skills in English to a level corresponding to English B in the Swedish secondary school. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test with the following minimum scores:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1-6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0-30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

The goal of the Master's programme is that students should acquire knowledge and understanding of how northern Europe developed socially, politically, economically and culturally in the early modern period (c. 1450-1850). Of particular interest are the causes and consequences of the long term and diverse lines of development within the region.

Central importance rests upon comparative perspectives and methods. The geographical areas of Scandinavia, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, and the German-speaking area provide an ample basis for questions about similarities and differences. For instance, England and the Netherlands are often described as the first modern economies while Russia is described as radically different with its residual serfdom and other traces of a feudal economy. Positioned between the two, Scandinavia takes on particular comparative interest.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, a student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• survey and summarise northern European early modern history and describe the implications of this history for the world today

• reflect critically on ways the region developed politically, economically, socially and culturally and explain the similarities and differences among them

Skills and abilities

• independently identify and formulate relevant questions on various aspects of early modern northern Europe

• independently plan, manage and carry out advanced and complex research within a given scope and timeframe

• use theories and methods currently accepted within the discipline that are relevant to the research question at hand and apply them to the analysis of source material

• systematically examine and interrogate historical source material in terms of plausibility and evidentiary value and also analyse this material in light of relevant historical context

• independently describe and discuss, in keeping with current academic standards, research findings including clear justification of topical and methodological choices and concluding argumentation

Assessment ability and attitude

• use a critical approach in working with historical sources and historical accounts.

Layout of the programme

The Master's Programme comprises 120 credits (hp), distributed equally between a thesis and courses. Most of the courses are offered by the Department of History.

The program consists of five parts:

Part 1. Introductory course, 7.5 credits

Part 2. Four thematic courses (each 7.5 credits), 30 credits

Part 3. Final workshop, 7.5 credits

Part 4. Thesis, 60 credits

Part 5. Two elective courses (each 7.5 credits), 15 credits

The programme is structured so that course work and thesis preparation run in parallel, but the distribution between the two varies each term. Year one foregrounds course work through the introductory course and thematic courses. Year two foregrounds work on the thesis, including the final thesis workshop. Students choose when to take the two elective courses.

In consultation with the programme director or director of studies, each student prepares an individual study plan outlining the distribution of work for each term. This plan is revised annually or as needed. Each student is assigned a supervisor in consultation with the director of studies or the programme director. The student's right to thesis supervision is restricted to the normal duration of the programme (two academic years).

Instruction

The specific forms of teaching and assessment vary across courses within the programme. Generally teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars, workshops and individual or group tutorials. Assessment is usually carried out on the basis of individual oral and written work. Requirements for class participation vary across courses. The language of instruction is English. Grades are set on the traditional Swedish scale: Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail. The general content of examinations and other assessments is described in each individual course syllabus.

Through various exchange programmes, students have an opportunity to spend some time at one of the history department’s many partner universities. This allows students to take advantage not only of Uppsala University’s excellence in the field but also the expertise available in other countries.

Degree

Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive a degree in Master of Arts (120 credits) with a major in History.

Assessment and grading in all courses is done by the teacher(s) at the university where the course in question was offered. Course credits are also registered at that university. The Master's thesis is completed, presented in seminar and assessed at the home university.

Students with a Master's degree from the programme are eligible to apply for doctoral studies at the Department of History, Uppsala University.

Other directives

Employability

Students with a degree in Master of arts with a major in History are employed in a wide variety of occupations. The degree provides a solid foundation for employment in primary or secondary school (if combined with teacher training) and in higher education, and the degree can even lead to government positions at local, regional and national levels. People with this degree work with staff management, journalism, tourism and international organisations (NGOs) as well as in the cultural heritage sector (archives, museums, libraries). Moreover, a degree in Master of arts with a major in History is a prerequisite for a successful career as a historian.