Our MA Medieval Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the medieval period, covering a broad range of contexts. You will receive rigorous training in Latin, and develop key skills in text interpretation, translation and research.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience of learning Latin, our intensive language course will develop your skills to an advanced level, enabling you to study a wide range of original source medieval texts. You'll also develop skills in palaeography (the study of historical handwriting), primary text analysis and translation.
We also offer you the opportunity to broaden your language abilities by studying an exceptional range of other languages, including Arabic, Old French, Persian, Old Norse, medieval English and Turkish. Thus a Leeds Medieval Studies degree can be the starting point for cutting-edge research focusing on Europe, the Mediterranean world, or Asia.
The Institute for Medieval Studies (IMS) brings together staff from across the University of Leeds who are medieval specialists within a broad range of disciplines. As such, we’re able to offer a huge range of optional modules from subject areas such as history, religion, literature and history of art. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your course to your specific interests within the field of medieval studies and to your future career ambitions.
As a student in the IMS you'll have access to excellent resources, both in the University and beyond. The world-class Brotherton Library contains extensive facsimiles and microfilms of primary materials as well as a wide range of online resources.
Its Special Collections also contain a wide range of manuscript, archive and early printed material, including the Melsteth Icelandic Collection, archives of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, the old library of Ripon Cathedral, and the manuscripts and incunabula of the Brotherton Collection.
Leeds is also home to the Royal Armouries and its extensive medieval collections, while the West Yorkshire Archives are dotted around the region and the British Library has a Document Supply Centre in nearby Boston Spa.