Birkbeck, University of London is a public research university located in London, UK. It was founded in 1823 and is known for its evening teaching, allowing students to work during the day and study in the evening. Birkbeck offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields, including arts, humanities, social sciences, law, science, and business. The university has a diverse student population of 13,937, including 1,270 international students. Birkbeck has a strong research focus and is part of the prestigious University of London federation.

Public history is concerned with the practice of history outside of academia in all its myriad forms, and public historians come in all shapes and sizes: they are consultants, museum professionals, archivists, preservationists and curators, cultural resource managers, policy specialists and community activists, among many other roles. What they share is a commitment to making history relevant, beneficial, informative and instructive within the public sphere.

The practice and significance of ‘public history’ has grown significantly in recent years, as historians become more aware of audiences beyond the academy, of the role of history in politics, of the need for their research and analysis to have an impact in the real world, and of the growing public and media interest in popular history and heritage.

Our MA Public Histories will introduce you to key aspects and issues of the practice of public history. It will provide you with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to undertake critical assessments of public history projects and interventions - as well as to create your own. Its focus on public history in practice will provide you with a wide range of examples of different types and methods of public history, from museums and material culture, to public history in the media, to the role of history in policy making. This course aims to give you a sense of the wide range of public history, the variety of roles played by historians in public, and the importance and impact of public history in politics, culture and society.

The course provides relevant training for careers in media, education, museums and heritage, publishing and policy, and it also provides rigorous training in the historical discipline suitable to prepare you for further personal or professional research, or research at MPhil/PhD level.

Birkbeck, University of London is a public research university located in Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom. It was established in 1823 as the London Mechanics' Institute, and in 1920 it became a constituent college of the University of London. Birkbeck is known for its evening teaching and flexible study options, which make higher education accessible to working professionals and adult learners. Birkbeck offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, humanities, law, science, social sciences, business, and psychology. The university has a strong research focus, and it is ranked among the top research-intensive universities in the UK. Birkbeck's research strengths are in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Psychology. As of 2022, Birkbeck has a total student population of 13,937, out of which 1,270 are international students. The university has a diverse student body, with students from over 120 countries, and it prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive institution. Birkbeck has a strong reputation for providing high-quality education, and its graduates are highly sought after by employers in various industries. Birkbeck is located in the heart of London, which provides students with access to a vibrant cultural and social scene. The university has several campuses, including the main campus in Bloomsbury, as well as satellite campuses in Stratford, Hackney, and East London. Birkbeck is also known for its strong links with industry and the local community, which provide students with valuable opportunities for work experience and networking.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it