How our modules work

Your learning is balanced across the year and moves your focus, in stages, from taught modules to independent research.

Semester One - You take the core course, one option module and one skills module (either Reading Medieval Texts, Multilingual Middle Ages, or Arabic for Research). 

Semester Two - You will take two option modules and begin work on your dissertation. In addition, those who wish can continue their language learning.

The Summer will then be taken up with completing your Dissertation.

Before you arrive, you will make your choices for Semesters One and Two. You will choose one option in Semester One and two options in Semester Two. At least one of these must be an Interdisciplinary module.  Since you write one essay for each option module, and the three essays must be in different disciplines, choosing option modules takes careful planning. You also select your language and/or palaeography skills via our 'Reading the Middle Ages' skills modules (see below), as well as your disciplinary and interdisciplinary units in the Approaches to an Interdisciplinary Methodology core module.

Reading the Middle Ages skills modules - Semester One 2025

You will choose one of the following options for Semester One.

Option one - Reading Medieval Texts 
You will study palaeography in tandem with a medieval language.

Palaeography options:

• Early Medieval Palaeography c. 500–1000
  
• Administrative Hands from the Conquest to the Later Middle Ages
• Later Medieval Book Hands c. 1250–1525

Medieval language options:

• Latin Beginners 
• Latin Intermediate
• Latin Advanced
• Old English Beginners
• Old English Advanced
• Old Norse
• Old French

Option two - Multilingual Middle Ages
Students on this module choose two medieval languages.

• Latin Beginners 
• Latin Intermediate
• Latin Advanced
• Old English Beginners
• Old English Advanced
• Old Norse
• Old French

Option three - Arabic for Research 
Students on the Medieval Islamic Cultures Pathway must complete this module.