This MA builds on Sussex’s long tradition of innovation and expertise in intellectual history.

Exploring the major transformations and discourses in intellectual life since Antiquity, you’ll focus on themes which may include:

• the history of political ideas
• ideas of gender, feminism and intersectionality
• the Renaissance and Enlightenment
• the history of wars and empires
• globalism and international thought.

You’ll explore the ideas of thinkers through their literary texts and their historical contexts. In preparation for your independent dissertation, you’ll gain a grounding in methodology. Genuinely interdisciplinary in approach, the course examines the interrelations between philosophy, politics, science, religion and literature in Britain, Europe, North America and China.

We are home to a number of innovative research centres, including the Centre for Intellectual History, the Centre for German-Jewish Studies, the Centre for the History of War and Society, and the Centre for World Environmental History. You’ll also have access to an impressive range of archives including the internationally renowned Mass Observation Archive.

As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to undertake doctoral research and have the ability to critically understand the modern world – valuable skills for a variety of careers and employment opportunities.

An Intellectual History MA at Sussex will develop your skills in attention to detail, research, written communication and teamwork.

Our graduates are well prepared for further study and careers in areas such as:

• teaching, research and publishing
• law and the Civil Service, 
• museums, libraries and archives.