Why study a master's with us?

Our academics are acknowledged experts at the forefront of their disciplines and active researchers. This advanced research informs their teaching, exposing students to a wealth of knowledge.

Our research strengths are concentrated in areas of gender history, black and non-western history, and medical history included in health humanities. In particular, we focus on questions of political and religious ideology, political patronage, minorities, and aspects of political, socio-cultural and economic change.

Visit our stories page to learn more about our academic research

Studying history at Reading will equip you with transferable skills which are highly sought-after by top employers across a range of fields. These include:

• collecting and analysing large quantities of information
• understanding and applying complex ideas
• constructing reasoned and articulate arguments
• public speaking
• writing for academic and wider audience
• writing for social media
• audio visual skills
• research (archival and digital)
• sort analysis
• training in digital humanities.

All students will have to attend compulsory careers and employability training organised by the University’s careers team.

Many of our graduates pursue careers in teaching, and government. Others move into doctoral research, or take our optional Public History and Public Engagement pathway to gain the practical and theoretical experience needed to work in archiving, museums, heritage and conservation, or in the media sector.

Our staff have partnerships with a variety of prestigious institutions including: 

We are proud to hold unique resources of international significance, all of which are available for your use and to enhance your learning. We encourage a collections-based approach to studying, and actively teach students how to use these resources to bring their research to life.

Highlights include:

• The Nancy Astor papers
• The Stenton library of medieval and early modern resources
• Roof tiles from Hiroshima
• Cole Library
• The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)