Postgraduate study at Queen’s School of History & Anthropology 2010

1. Postgraduate study at Queen’sSchool of History & Anthropology 2010

2. Postgraduate Study • MA (Master of Arts) – 1 year FT / 2-3 years PT • Graduate Diploma (Social Anthropology/Ethnomusicology) – 1 year FT / 2 years PT • PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) – 3-4 years FT / 6-8 years PT • MPhil (Master of Philosophy) – 2-3 years FT / 4-6 years PT School of History & Anthropology, 14-15 University Square Institute of Irish Studies, 53-67 University Road

3. Why do an MA? Two ways of seeing an MA: • As an end in itself: • To take your interest in a subject to a higher level, leading to a major research dissertation • To obtain a taught postgraduate degree representing a higher level of intellectual achievement than the BA • Improve employability prospects • To acquire a higher level of skills in research, organisation and analysis of complex ideas, methods and information, and in the communication of evidence at length Take a closer look: Belfast’s ‘Big Fish’

4. Why do an MA? 2. As the essential stepping stone to a higher research degree (PhD / MPhil): • Recognised by AHRC and DEL as part of 1+3 model for PhD research training, and normally a requirement for funding • MA provides essential research skills training and experience for PhD projects • MA dissertation as dry run for PhD dissertation Anti-Catholic cartoon, 1829

5. Employment opportunities • Our postgraduate students have gone on to find employment in research (both academic and non-academic), archives, museums and other history and anthropology-related areas, as well as teaching and in a wide range of public and private sector work. • An MA is regarded by many employers as representing a higher degree of intellectual and research-related achievement than a BA degree • Internship placements are available on some MA programmes to enhance employability profiles

6. Key information on MAs: • Can be studied FT over 12 months (Sept-Sept) • Can be studied part-time over 31 months (Sept-May) • Most assessment is usually by coursework, accompanied by a major dissertation • Candidates who pass all taught units but don’t submit dissertation may be awarded PG diploma The new QUB Library, opened Sept. 2009 at a cost of £44m

7. What we offer: MAs • MA Irish History • MA Modern History • MA Ancient History • MA Social Anthropology • MA Irish Studies • MA Cognition and Culture

8. Pathway choices within MAs: History • MA Irish History: - Irish Women’s History - Culture, Politics and Identity - Irish Migration History • MA in Modern History: - British History - American History - British intelligence History - Medieval/Byzantine History

9. Pathway choices within MAs: Social Anthropology / Ethnomusicology • New frontiers • Environment and culture • Anthropology of Ireland • Mind and culture • Anthropology of Music (Ethnomusicology) Carnival parade, Montserrat

10. Specialised MAs MA Ancient History MA Cognition and Culture • Closely linked with research agenda of ICC • Modules in: • Theory and Methods in Cognition and Culture • Evolution and Human Behaviour • Social Cognition • Cognitive Science of Religion • 15K word dissertation  • Focus on Ancient Greek and Roman history • Combines specialised research methods/skills modules with ‘Special Topics’ in Greek or Roman history • 20K word dissertation

11. MA Irish Studies • Interdisciplinary MA based in IIS • Modules available in History, Anthropology, Politics, English, Sociology • 15K word dissertation

12. MA structure: training & flexibility to pursue research interests MA in Irish History: • Historiography • Research methods • Historical Documents and Sources • Public History internship module • Pathway specific module or individually negotiated topic • Double module dissertation (20K words)

13. Fees and funding What does it cost? • Fees for 2010-11 not yet set but 2009-10 are: • Full time UK/EU (1 year): £3,390 • Part-time fees are set by module but roughly equivalent • Fees can be paid in instalments • Higher fee rates for non-EU/UK residents • Some DEL UK/EU studentships and School bursaries available for 2010 entry

14. More information on MA programmes • School of History and Anthropology webpages: www.qub.ac.uk/history www.qub.ac.uk/anthropology • QUB Postgraduate webpages: www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents/PostgraduateStudents

15. More information Talk to the relevant Postgraduate MA co-ordinators: • Fearghal McGarry (Modern/Irish History) • Brian Campbell (Ancient History) • Hastings Donnan (Anthropology / Ethnomusicology) • Dominic Bryan (Irish Studies) • Jesse Bering (Cognition and Culture) Or to the School PG Administrator, Catherine Boone (c.boone@qub.ac.uk)

16. The PhD • Doctorate of Philosophy • 3-4 year programme (FT) • 6-8 years PT • Supervision team (2) • Leads to 80,000 word dissertation • PSTP and School training support; TA and internship opportunities

17. Why do a PhD? • Pursue your scholarly interests to an advanced – professional - level • Essential qualification for entry to academic and related careers • Highly demanding degree which requires ability, focus, discipline • Key transferable skills in advanced research methods, project organisation, and communications • Close working relationship with supervisor • Structured PhD programme (training, teaching, student-led seminars) • For more information on employability, see ‘What do PhDs do?’ On the Vitae website: http://www.vitae.ac.uk/

18. Why do a PhD at Queen’s? • Research expertise within School: • RAE 2008 graded 60% of research activity by History as world-leading or internationally excellent (4* & 3*), placing History at Queen’s in the top 20 UK HEIs by research weighting • RAE confirmed Queen’s as a world leading centre for Anthropology: 35% of research graded world-leading (4*). Only 2 other UK Anthropology depts performed at this top level. • Large and dynamic research community • Extensive collection of research resources (esp. relating to Irish history and society); large online resources • Unique research institutes of Irish Studies, Cognition & Culture • Research support (office space, computers, travel/conference funds) Cartoon, Hart Mss, QUB Special Collections

19. Join the debate … Some recent books by QUB PhDs

20. For more information on PhDs: • School webpages: • For information on postgraduate funding, admission criteria, application process . . . • www.qub.ac.uk/historyandanthropology • Talk to postgraduate co-ordinators and potential supervisors • Talk to current PhD students • Talk to School PG Administrator, Catherine Boone

21. Fees and funding: PhDs What does it cost? • Fees for 2010-11 not yet set but 2009-10 are: • Full time UK/EU (per year): £3,390 • Part-time fees (per year): £1,165 • Fees can be paid in instalments • Higher fee rates for non-EU/UK residents • PhD funding available 2010: • 3 DEL studentships • 1 AHRC studentship (History only)

22. APPLICATIONS 2010 • All applications should be made via the University Portal at: www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents/PostgraduateStudents/ApplyingtoQueens/ • Applications for PLACES can be considered up to end July 2010 • Applications for FUNDING must be received by 26 March 2010 (in most cases there is no separate application form – use Portal) • Requirements: FOR MA – attainment of minimum 2:1 degree (GPA 3.3) or equivalent in discipline by July 2010; academic references; transcript FOR PhD – minimum 2:1 (GPA 3.3) BA and normally MA pass (or projected pass) in discipline; academic references; transcript; research proposal

23. Postgraduate Study at Queen’s • An ‘Old’ University (est. 1845) • World class academic reputation: - international recognition for our research (RAE) - student-centred ethos - international links (Beijing, Chennai, Boston, Melbourne etc) - member of Russell Group of research-led UK universities • New Library: an investment for the future • Location in heart of Belfast with good travel links to ROI and UK • Modern and affordable student accommodation