Medieval Studies

This MA in Medieval Studies is for students who are interested in any aspect of the medieval world and who wish to take those interests further. Whether those interests lie in Irish or European history, literature or archaeology, art history or music, languages and manuscript studies or modern interpretations of the medieval, this programme offers students the opportunity to choose modules from such areas and combine them as they wish. While emphasizing choice and drawing on the wide range of expertise in medieval disciplines across the University, the MA also ensures that students gain a strong training in scholarly approaches to the medieval past and its people, as well as an opportunity to pursue in-depth research on a specialist dissertation topic.



Our students come from different academic backgrounds and choose a range of career paths. What they have in common is an interest in the medieval world, and an eagerness to explore different ways of investigating and understanding that world. We value an interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages: students are allowed to choose from relevant subjects in History, English, Irish, Archaeology, Languages, Classics and Music, from Ireland to Byzantium and from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance.



UCD is a university with real depth and breadth of expertise in medieval studies, while UCD’s archives hold some of Ireland’s most important medieval manuscripts. Students are able to take advantage of UCD’s location in Dublin, a city founded by the Vikings, and may avail of resources nearby, including the National Library, other library collections and regular research seminars across the city. Dublin is an ideal base from which to explore Ireland’s medieval sites.



- Interdisciplinary approach to the Middle Ages

- Small group work

- Opportunity to pursue individual research interests



Students are introduced to research methods and skills in small groups, working with their peers; they attend classes on specialist subjects of their choice; and are allowed to develop their own areas of interest and research skills to produce a dissertation. They are taught by specialists in their field and are encouraged to participate in the community of medieval scholars at UCD through seminars and reading groups. As such, it is a suitable preparation for intending to go on to a research degree or a professional career, or for those who simply want to extend their understanding of the medieval period.

Stage 1 Core Modules

HIS41840 Approaches to the Middle Ages Autumn 10

HIS41850 Approaches to the Middle Ages II Spring 10

GSAC40260 Dissertation (Medieval Studies) Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - B)40CR:

Students select modules worth a total of 40 credits. It is recommended that students balance their workload between the first and second trimester.

ARCH20610 Historical Archaeology Autumn 5

ARCV41330 Introduction to Palaeography: Medieval and Early Modern Scripts Autumn 5

CCIV30070 Introduction to Early Irish 1 Autumn 5

CCIV30110 Early Irish Myths & Sagas Autumn 5

ENG31960 Apocalypse Then: Old Eng. Lit. Autumn 10

ENG32070 Medieval Celluloid Autumn 10

ENG32740 King Arthur: History & Romance Autumn 5

HIS31500 Past, Present and Future in Medieval England Autumn 10

HIS32440 Florence 1400-1530 Autumn 10

HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn 10

HIS32880 Sexuality and Society Autumn 10

HIS33010 Global History before AD 1000 Autumn 10

LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn 10

LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn 10

MUS20400 Early European Music Autumn 5

AH30600 From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics Spring 10

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10

CCIV30100 Introduction to Early Irish 2 Spring 5

ENG41950 Medival Manuscript Fragments Spring 5

GRC40010 Warfare and Society in the Ancient World Spring 10

HIS31960 Satan in the Middle Ages Spring 10

HIS32720 Frontiers of Empire Spring 10

HIS33030 Women and Ethical Action in the First Millennium CE Spring 10

HIS42020 Disseminating History Spring 10

LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring 10

MUS31490 Music and Sexuality in Early European Musical Cultures Spring 10

MUS41300 Creating the Musical Self in Medieval Europe Spring 5

PHIL31160 The Medieval Mind Spring 10

- An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or the overseas equivalent, in an Arts or Humanities discipline is required.

- 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.

- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



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.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

Z182: 1 year full-time or

Z183: 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

Z182 Medieval Studies Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught



Z183 Medieval Studies Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

Our graduates progress to a wide range of interesting careers as students take the Medieval Studies MA for different reasons. Some aim to go on to further advanced graduate research, such as a PhD degree; others simply want to deepen their understanding of a subject that fascinates them. But many choose this MA because of the opportunities it affords for careers and employability beyond academia. Many of our alumni work in international business, foreign affairs and Dublin's vibrant tech sector, where a background in the humanities is particularly valued. Other graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including the media and NGOs, while the MA is an especially strong foundation for work in such areas as the Arts, heritage, tourism, and education. The skills learned in this programme - mastery of complex information, critical thinking, verbal and written expression, and group work - are those especially valued by employers.