Overview
Historical research gives you the tools to explore the events, ideas, and cultures of the past that continue to shape our lives today. With increasing global focus on cultural preservation and the digitisation of archives, historians are more essential than ever. The global data historian market size was estimated at £1.03 billion in 2023 (Grand View Research).
Our Masters in Historical Research equips you with doctoral-level skills in social research methods and independent study abilities. Expert academic staff will guide you in your chosen field, ensuring a personalised and unique learning experience. On graduation you’ll be prepared for research-based careers, specialising in social and economic history.
Develop the analytical skills to become a historical researcher
On the Historical Research Masters you’ll:
take an interdisciplinary approach to research combining methods from social science and historical research;
- learn qualitative and quantitative research methods;
- use statistical and database packages such as SATA software;
- critically evaluate a wide body of historical literature;
- gain skills in project design and data analysis;
- develop written and verbal analysis skills;
- showcase your ability to focus deeply on a topic of interest.
It’s a flexible course. You can choose additional research skills training and taught modules tailored to your individual field of study.
You’ll become an integral part of a vibrant academic community at Stirling. You can connect and collaborate with leading historians, researchers, and peers.
Funding opportunities for further research
The course supports you to apply for PhD research funding from:
- The Arts and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards
- The Economic and Social Research Council
This MSc Historical Research specifically prepares graduates to apply for a studentship from the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSS). The course can be taken as a funded Masters linked to a three-year PhD in social or economic history.
Develop your practical research skills on an internship
Enhance your skills by doing a voluntary internship. You could work with materials in the Scottish Political Archive or the University's own archive.
Comprehensive employability and skills programme
Our employability and skills programme to helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), Stirling History was 3rd in Scotland for quality of research outputs and impact and 15th in the UK for impact. External Examiners regularly praise our postgraduate research supervision and our dedication to nurturing the career development of postgraduate researchers. All our staff are research active, and, with postgraduates, sustain a vibrant and inclusive research environment.
History staff offer particular strengths in the social history of Africa, North America, Great Britain, modern Europe, and Scotland from the medieval to modern periods, along with strengths in environmental history.
History staff publish widely in their fields, writing books, essays, articles in leading academic journals, historical documentary editions, and online resources. Several have won awards for their work. Current and recent research projects have been funded by:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Historic Environment Scotland
- The Carnegie Trust
- The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- The Colonial Society of Massachusetts
- The British Academy
- The Royal Society of Edinburgh
- The Leverhulme Trust
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a Second Class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent is required. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
A research proposal is required along with your application. It should be a maximum of 1,500 words.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The Master of Science in Historical Research is a one-year research and skills-oriented course that and allows specialisation in particular historical areas as well as development of social science skills and methodologies.
Modules
Teaching
Delivery of the course is through a combination of taught modules, where you will have weekly seminars with members of staff, or in taught modules which consist largely of one-to-one sessions with the member of staff who will supervise your dissertation and provide direct feedback. Your overall curriculum is planned in discussion with your supervisor and approved by the Course Director.
Assessment
You will be required to submit coursework and attend workshops as directed; you’ll also attend history research seminars and present a short working paper at the History postgraduate symposium in June.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our Masters in Historical Research provides advanced research training, preparing you for doctoral study and research-based careers in academia, education, journalism, marketing, government, and heritage sectors.
Many of our graduates go on to study for a PhD, continuing at Stirling or at another university in the UK, Europe or North America. Recent Stirling historical research graduates have secured posts in firms and institutions as varied as:
- Historic Scotland,
- The Scottish Government,
- Sea World,
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The versatility of skills gained through historical research can help you go into roles such as:
- Archivist: Managing and preserving historical documents and records.
- Heritage Manager: Overseeing the conservation and promotion of historical sites.
- Museum Curator: Organizing exhibitions and managing collections.
- Policy Advisor: Contributing to cultural or educational policy development.
- Media and Publishing: Roles in historical consultancy, editing, or content creation.
Salaries for careers related to Historical Research vary, but some examples could include:
- Historian: £49,000 per year;
- Archivists and Curators: £30,000–£50,000 per year;
- Heritage Manager: £35,000–£52,000 per year;
- Political Analyst: £35,000 per year;
- Policy Advisors: £45,000–£80,000 per year;
- Media and Publishing Professionals: £35,000–£60,000 per year.
(Source: Indeed.com June 2025)
