About this course
Explore the Holocaust as an historical event and as 'negative heritage' from 1945 to the present. You’ll look at the different ways in which the Holocaust has been explored, discussed and presented. You'll also develop the subject skills to carry out original historical research and build the foundation for postgraduate research.
The National Socialist genocide of the Jews during the Second World War is a focus for many institutes, museums, heritage foundations and education programmes. You'll gain the skills to pursue careers in areas such as Holocaust education, outreach, heritage curation, public history and commemoration.
Our course is designed by the internationally recognised The Parkes Institute for the study of Jewish and non-Jewish relations.
Highlights of this course include:
- access to our unique archive of Jewish modern history
- an optional field trip including a visit to a European Holocaust heritage institution or museum
- specialist modules on the Holocaust in art, film, literature and music or transnational movement in the age of globalisation
- practical workshops on the curation of Holocaust objects delivered in collaboration with external partners
- optional modules outside of History, including a foreign language
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Doctor Claire Le Foll is an Associate Professor of East European Jewish History and Culture. Her research focuses on the history and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Professor Neil Gregor is Professor of Modern European History. He has wide-ranging teaching and research interests in the history of National Socialism and the Holocaust.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in history or a related subject.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
Your studies will run for a full 12 months on the full-time version of this degree. We also offer part-time study.
In the first 9 months you’ll study the taught part of your course.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
After the Holocaust: Jews and Others after 1945
This module examines aspects of Jewish experience in the aftermath of the Holocaust. It explores refugee experiences in the aftermath of war; it explores Jewish debates over post-Holocaust futures, in Europe, in Israel, elsewhere; it examines attempts to...
Holocaust Studies Dissertation
Jewish Life and Antisemitism
This module explores the rich variety of Jewish life and the development of Jewish experience, including Antisemitism and violence from the ancient to the contemporary world. It introduces students to ideologies and cultures of antisemitism and examines a...
The Genocide of the European Jews, 1933-1945
This module explores the mass murder of the Jews of Europe between 1933 and 1945. At its core is an examination of the nature of National Socialism, its genocidal drive, and the stages by which its practice of antisemitic persecution evolved into a contin...
The Holocaust as Public History
This module explores the Holocaust as a problem of public pedagogy. It examines the establishment of Holocaust museums in both Jewish and non-Jewish communities between 1945 and the present. It treats questions of memorialisation and commemoration in a ...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Advanced Research Seminar in American History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of American history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in US history in varied forms. You will identif...
Advanced Research Seminar in Ancient History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of ancient history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in ancient history in varied forms. You will ide...
Advanced Research Seminar in Early Modern History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of early modern history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in early modern history in varied forms. Yo...
Advanced Research Seminar in Imperial and Global History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of imperial and global history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in imperial and global history in va...
Advanced Research Seminar in Medieval History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of medieval History. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in medieval history in varied forms. You will i...
Advanced Research Seminar in Modern British History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of modern British history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in modern British history in varied forms...
Advanced Research Seminar in Modern European History
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of modern European history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in modern European history in varied for...
Advanced Research Seminar in the Long Eighteenth Century
Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of the Long Eighteenth Century. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in the Long Eighteenth Century in va...
Field Trip Holocaust Studies
Within this module you will undertake a group field trip to one or morea European capital cities which haveas a notable Jewish history and a link to the Holocaust through extant heritage sites and spaces of commemoration and learning. Examples of possibl...
Memory in National and Transnational Contexts
Whether in the form of monuments, stories or rituals a desire to remember seems to be everywhere in most if not all contemporary nation states. In some respect this has been fuelled by the continually evolving international situation, which has posed a se...
Narrative, Place, Identity
This module investigates how cultural narratives have been produced, disseminated and consumed across national boundaries since the mid-twentieth century. Through examination of a range of narrative forms, including fiction, essay, memoir, film and photog...
Nation, Culture, Power
This module offers an in-depth exploration of three concepts that have shaped the modern world: nation, culture, and power. Drawing on staff expertise in cultural and critical theory, the module will investigate the key questions that worldwide thinkers a...
Transnational Movement in the Age of Globalisation
The module investigates transnational approaches to migration, global mobility and diversity. It combines theoretical approaches with empirical case studies and methodological issues.
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include:
- practical exercises
- seminars
- tutorials
- study visits
- expert talks
Practical training in historical research skills will help you carry out original historical research based on a wide range of primary sources.
You'll also be able to study a modern foreign language.
Assessment
Assessment methods include:
- essays
- practical skills exercises
- commentaries and reviews of original sources
- curation
- portfolio
- dissertation
Core modules will be assessed by essays. Optional modules will be assessed by an essay and a review of a related source. You'll be able to choose the source from our collections or our partners' collections.
The module on public history includes curation of an object or source for a non-academic audience. You'll also choose and review an institution that delivers public history.
During your field trip, you'll apply your interpretative skills as a historian to your experience as a visitor. This will demonstrate your awareness of the pressures faced by museums and other public history sites. You'll create a portfolio which includes a diary and a guided tour of the site. This can be in the form of a video, podcast or blog.
Dissertation
The dissertation tests your ability to manage a project independently. You'll construct an extended argument based on your own original research. Your research may include unedited archival and manuscript material.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
When you graduate from this master’s degree you’ll understand the ethical, pedagogical and curatorial problems of presenting the Holocaust to different audiences.
You'll have the key skills employers are looking for, including:
- time management
- problem solving
- project management
- presenting in writing and digital media
- relationship-building
- critical thinking
- research analysis
You'll be prepared for careers in Holocaust education, outreach, heritage curation, public history and commemoration.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £24,200.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Southampton MA Holocaust scholarships
There are up to 2 James Parkes scholarships of £4000 and up to 2 Sayers Family scholarships of £1000 available.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000