Overview
Engaged with the formative period of Western culture, Trinity’s M.Phil. in Medieval Studies equips students with the critical skills needed for in-depth work on medieval texts, sources, and artefacts, and provides an introduction to what different disciplinary methods offer the medievalist while permitting students to specialise in particular approaches in accordance with their interests. The teaching on the programme takes full advantage of Trinity’s world-leading holdings of medieval manuscripts and other artefacts, as well as those of other Dublin institutions and opportunities available for students to explore the built remains of medieval Ireland.
The programme aims to:
• Give students an opportunity to experience from international experts the rich range of disciplinary approaches – historical, literary, linguistic, theological, art historical, philosophical, and gender-based – that can be taken to the Middle Ages, at the same time as maximising their opportunities to pursue their own interests, and develop specialist expertise.
• Provide students with the traditional and technical skills necessary to read and study medieval manuscripts, documents, and artefacts in the twenty-first century.
• Help students develop into independent researchers with sophisticated analytical and communication skills, ready to embark on doctoral research or to proceed with their chosen career.
The course offers students the choice of three strands: History, Language and Literature and Culture and Civilisation. All students take three core modules of 5 ECTS - Sources for Medieval Studies I and II and Introduction to Medieval Books and Documents – and write a dissertation worth 30 ECTS. Further requirements depend on the choice of strand:
• History: students take a further core module in Palaeography (10 ECTS) and study Latin at an appropriate level (10 ECTS), then choose 25 ECTS of optional modules, including, if they wish, another, more advanced, Latin module.
• Language and Literature: students take a further core module in Reading Medieval Books and Documents (5 ECTS), study a medieval language (10 ECTS), then choose 30 ECTS of optional modules, including, if they wish, a second medieval language.
• Culture and Civilisation: students take a further core module in Reading Medieval Books and Documents (5 ECTS), then choose 40 ECTS of optional modules, including, if they wish, a medieval language.
The range of options available varies from year to year and modules run subject to availability and demand.
Career Opportunities
The MPhil helps prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers including in the museum and heritage sectors, libraries and archives, publishing, law, public policy and administration, archaeology, teaching, media. It also provides invaluable training in research for those planning to pursue a doctorate and/or career in research.
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Study Medieval Studies (M.Phil.) at Trinity
Introduction to the Medieval Studies M.Phil. and P.Grad.Dip at Trinity College Dublin
Course Details
Number of Places
30 PlacesNext Intake
September 2023
Course Coordinator
Course Director: Dr Peter Crooks (pcrooks@tcd.ie): +353 1 896 1790
Co-ordinator of History Strand: Dr Simon Egan (segan1@tcd.ie)
Co-ordinator of Language and Literature Strand: Dr Mark Faulkner (faulknem@tcd.ie): +353-1-896 1515
Co-ordinator of Culture and Civilisation Strand: Dr Peter Crooks (pcrooks@tcd.ie); +353 1 896 1790
Course Director
Closing Date
30th June 2023

Admission Requirements
Offers will be made on a rolling basis. Should places remain unfilled, later applications may be considered.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
- Medieval Studies - Culture and Civilisation(Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 25/AUG/2023
- Medieval Studies - Culture and Civilisation(Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 30/JUN/2023
- Medieval Studies - History (Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 25/AUG/2023
- Medieval Studies - History (Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 30/JUN/2023
- Medieval Studies - Language and Literature(Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 30/JUN/2023
- Medieval Studies - Language and Literature(Strand) (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) - 30/JUN/2023
Get in Touch
Course Director: Dr Mark Faulkner (faulknem@tcd.ie)
Co-ordinator of History Strand: Dr Simon Egan (segan1@tcd.ie)
Co-ordinator of Language and Literature Strand: Dr Mark Faulkner (faulknem@tcd.ie)
Co-ordinator of Culture and Civilisation Strand: Prof Ruth Karras (ruth.karras@tcd.ie)
Website
http://histories-humanities.tcd.ie/postgraduate/mphil/medieval-studies
Register Your Interest
Register your interest in postgraduate study at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.
As Ireland’s leading university, we offer a wide range of postgraduate programmes at masters, diploma and certificate level.
Trinity is an international university steeped in history, with a reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation.
Testimonials
"Coming from a theological background the History strand of the M. Phil in Medieval Studies has given me the confidence and tools to fully delve into historical discourse. With friendly lecturers who are experts in their field and are invested in your progress, means I felt utterly supported throughout my studies. Already I have experienced immense personal and professional growth."
Sarah Myers
Graduate, History Strand
"The M.Phil in Medieval Studies illuminated many facets of medieval culture and history often dulled by the passage of time or traditional preference of academic inquiry. Studying medieval Irish art history at Trinity under the guidance of professors who lead their fields of expertise was a privilege that felt equally comfortable and challenging due to the sincere interest that faculty members took in my studies"
Jennifer Lowell
Graduate, Culture and Civilisation Strand
"I really enjoyed the course and would definitely recommend it. The lecturers are all informed, engaging, and generous. The assignments pushed me beyond my comfort zone, but always with support and clear expectations. We covered a variety of topics spanning different approaches and periods - and I’ll never forget the hours spent playing with manuscripts from Trinity’s collection. Trinity’s resources are unique in this respect and it was a privilege to hold the books in my hands and uncover their stories"