Pete Mills, studying for a PhD in History

Studying at Brookes will probably be the most intellectually free that you will be in your entire career. If you want to succeed you have to work hard. But it has been the best experience of my life.

I live ten minutes from probably the best library in the world

Oxford, as a city, is a huge resource for my learning. I live ten minutes from probably the best library in the world – the Bodleian. I couldn’t do my thesis without it.

I really want to teach. It would be great to work at Brookes. I really like the idea of telling someone this is how my supervisor taught me and it is how I would like to teach you. We’re given the opportunities and support to develop our teaching and get qualifications.

History, Philosophy and Religion

The Department of History, Philosophy and Religion at Brookes offers you a vibrant, interdisciplinary atmosphere, with teaching and research support from some of the country’s leading experts in their field.

Why study at Oxford Brookes?

History

By studying history at Oxford Brookes you will be joining one of the most exciting departments in the UK. In the latest research assessment exercise (RAE 2008), Oxford Brookes historians were rated 14th in the UK with 65% of our research judged either world leading or internationally excellent.

Brookes is a leading centre in the UK for the study of the history of medicine, and is home to the Centre for Health, Medicine and Society: Past and Present.

Our thriving research and postgraduate culture will provide you with the ideal environment in which to undertake a research degree on a broad range of topics from the 16th century to the present day, and to engage in interdisciplinary research. Research skills are developed in preparation for your dissertation and provide a potential pathway to PhD study.

Philosophy

All the Philosophy staff at Oxford Brookes are actively involved in research and publish widely, for example Dr Stephen Boulter and Dr Constantine Sandis are the series editors for Palgrave Macmillan’s Philosophers in Depth series.

You will have access to weekly seminars, during semester-time, which attract a range of scholars from both inside and outside Brookes. We have a vibrant and supportive culture, including a thriving student-run Philosophical Society

Religion and Theology

Whether you are working at master’s or doctoral level you will have access to a team of committed and supportive supervisors. The department specialises in aspects of the Study of Religions, Philosophy of Religion, Theology and the History of Religion and welcomes enquiries about individual research projects.

The department is home to the Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History, which contains specialist academic and art collections.

What are the benefits?

Access to the world-class Bodleian Library.
Leading reputation for research (RAE 2008).
Working alongside leading academics.
Networking opportunities with partner organisations and external specialists.
Research skills are developed in preparation for your dissertation and provide a potential pathway to PhD study.

Research

To find out more please visit our research degree pages.

Taught Courses

History MA / PGDip / PGCert

The Oxford Brookes master’s degree in History is an exciting opportunity to undertake in-depth research with acknowledged international experts.

On the History MA you can choose from the wide range of specialist courses that we offer at postgraduate level. These range from a history of Britain’s relationship with the European Community since the Second World War to a history of terrorism, and from histories of crime and punishment to the role of art in the Protestant Reformation. The MA opens up a number of fascinating pathways into the past, and gives you a real sense of enthusiasm for historical studies.

History of Medicine MA / PGdip / PGcert

The Centre for Health, Medicine and Society has a vibrant postgraduate programme and community. The course draws on the research expertise of staff in the centre to offer a specialised master’s training in the social and cultural history of medicine. Students take a compulsory core module: Key Concepts and Methods in Historical Research, plus two elective modules and a dissertation module.

MA in Ministry

The MA in Ministry is offered as part of a lively and long established partnership between Oxford Brookes University and various faith communities in the region.

Applications for the MA in Ministry are made to our partner colleges.

Which courses can I study to start in 2012?

History - MA / PGDip / PGCert
History of Medicine - MA / PGDip / PGCert
Ministry - MA