Master in MA History with Black Humanities

The University of Bristol, founded in 1909 and located in the lively city of Bristol, United Kingdom, is a research-intensive institution with a broad portfolio of programmes. Its historic campus and strong academic reputation make it an appealing choice for international students seeking rigorous study across humanities, sciences, engineering, law and the creative arts.

With more than 300 programmes, the university combines research-led teaching with opportunities for practical learning, work placements and interdisciplinary study. Students benefit from access to research centres, professional networks and a range of support services designed to enhance learning outcomes and employability. Bristol's urban setting provides cultural vibrancy, industry connections and a platform for student societies and community engagement.

International students are supported through dedicated services, orientation and career guidance to help navigate academic expectations and life in the UK. The university’s emphasis on research impact, global partnerships and transferable skills prepares graduates for competitive careers and further study. For those seeking a dynamic academic environment in a culturally rich city, the University of Bristol offers a blend of scholarly excellence and practical opportunities.

Overview

This unique interdisciplinary MA offers you the opportunity to study History and Black Humanities, deepening your passion for historical enquiry through an engagement with the global philosophies, languages and arts of people of African descent.

On this programme you will be trained as a historian to approach research, writing and thinking through Black Humanities as an interdisciplinary and undisciplined field of study. Based on cutting-edge research from across the arts and humanities, you will study the histories, methodologies and intellectual frameworks that underpin contemporary debates about race, the parameters of knowledge and knowledge production, the legacies of systemic racism and campaigns for social justice. These will be discussed through consideration of historical and contemporary contexts in Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, and Europe.

You are invited to participate fully in the life of both the History Department and the Centre for Black Humanities, an international hub for research on Black life that directly informs our teaching. Our members are engaged in pioneering research on topics including UK hip-hop, Black British art, the histories and memories of Enslavement, African literary activism and film, Caribbean literature, and the Lusophone Atlantic.

We place critical importance on being part of an international and multilingual community. This is reflected in the Centre's annual programme of external speakers and seminars, offering you the opportunity to engage with world-renowned scholars as well as Bristol's cutting-edge cultural scene.