Modules

Students will be required to take core courses in Year One and in Semester 1 of Year Two. Students are also required to choose a medieval language and optional modules in Year 1. Semester 2 of Year 2 is reserved for writing a 15,000 word minor thesis on a subject agreed with the Course Director and the thesis supervisor. Students will also be obliged to attend the Medieval, Renaissance, and Early Modern Society's Seminar Series.

Year 1

Core Modules: All students are required to take the following modules:

Medieval Latin (at either Elementary or Intermediate level)
(all year, ECTS 20)
Sources & Resources: Palaeography and Diplomatic 1
(all year, ECTS 10)

Students choose one language in addition to Latin to study for Year 1. Languages available will vary from year to year.

Old & Middle Irish
(all year, ECTS 20)
Old and Middle Welsh
(all year, ECTS 10)
Old and Middle English
(all year, ECTS 10)
Medieval & Middle French
(all year, ECTS 10)
Old & Middle High German
(all year, ECTS 10)
Medieval Italian
(all year, ECTS 10)

In addition to these, in each semester students choose two of the modules below (unless a student is studying Old Irish, in which case one is selected). Each module is subdivided into topics that will vary from year to year.

Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 1
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval History 1
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Literature
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 2
(semester 2, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval History 2
(semester 2, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Literature
(semester 2, ECTS 5)
Comparative Medieval Literature
(semester 1, ECTS 5)

Year 2

Semester 1

Student must take the following modules, which will be examined at the end of Semester 1:

Medieval Latin (at either Intermediate or Advanced level)
(semester 1, ECTS 10)
Sources & Resources: Palaeography and Diplomatic 2
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Supervised Reading and Research
(semester 1, ECTS 10)

In addition to these, students choose one of the modules below (students may not repeat modules done in Year 1).

Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 1
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval History 1
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Literature
(semester 1, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 2
(semester 2, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval History 2
(semester 2, ECTS 5)
Aspects of Medieval Literature
(semester 2, ECTS 5)

Semester 2

Dissertation
(semester 2, ECTS 30)

Assessment

Each module, with the exception of the minor dissertation, is assessed by examination or essay and appropriate coursework. Year-long modules will be examined at the end of Semester 2 of Year 1. Other modules will be examined at the end of Semester 1 and 2 of Year 1, and Semester 1 of Year 2 with repeats in the Autumn. Examinations will be organised internally.

Standards: Students must obtain 40% on all core and elective language modules taken in Year 1, and must obtain an aggregate of 40% overall in order to proceed to Year 2 of the programme. Where the student has failed the examination overall, the mark in modules in which at least grade D has been obtained will be carried forward to all subsequent examinations. Students will not be permitted to retake modules previously passed.

The MA in Medieval Studies will be awarded to students who have successfully completed all taught modules, with at least 40% in all core and elective language modules and at least 40% aggregate over the 2 years, and who have received a minimum of 40% on their dissertation.

Pass: 40%
2nd class honours: 60%
1st class honours: 70%