The MA by Research in History like other research degrees contains no taught element and offers you the opportunity to pursue a research project, without entering into the commitment of a PhD. The degree programme is intended both as an award in its own right or as a progression route to a PhD. History academic staff are active researchers and their interests as a whole focus on history from 1500 onwards, and have particular expertise in Cornish history; culture, memory and heritage; landscape, agriculture and environmental history, c. 1500-1800; oral history and party politics; political and social theory; environmentalism and environmental politics; first world war, with a particular focus on the UK, Ireland and the Middle East; 19th-20th c. American history. There is a special emphasis on interdisciplinarity – the deployment of approaches from disciplines such as literary studies, sociology, politics and economics. A Masters by Research degree is assessed by a written dissertation of up 40,000 words. The dissertation will not need to constitute an original contribution to knowledge but will need to provide evidence that you have worked at the current limits of understanding of the subject. Unlike a taught Masters degree, there is no taught element, so dedication and enthusiasm for your subject are essential. As with other research students, you may be required to ‘audit’ all or part of certain modules, following a training needs analysis. You will also be able to take advantage of the University’s Effective Researcher Development Programme.