Indiana University

What you'll study

The programme is grounded in the Department of History's core curriculum in historical methods, research skills and thematic survey courses, while allowing focused study of medieval and early modern Europe. You will take courses on political, religious and intellectual developments; social and economic history; material culture; and the history of ideas from late antiquity through the early modern era.

• Core modules and skills: introductory and advanced courses in historical methods, historiography, research design, and source analysis.
• Period specialisms: courses covering the Early Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, and the early modern state.
• Cultural history topics: religion and ritual, gender and family, urban and rural life, book history and print culture, art and material culture, intellectual networks and learned communities.
• Language and palaeography: training in one or more European languages relevant to medieval and early modern research (for example Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish) and introductory palaeography or manuscript studies to work directly with primary sources.
• Methods and practicum: archival methods, digital humanities tools for textual and spatial analysis, and a course in public history or museum practice.
• Capstone: senior seminar or honours thesis involving sustained primary-source research under faculty supervision.
• Enrichment: opportunities for study abroad in Europe, internships with museums and archives, and participation in the university's Medieval Studies and related interdisciplinary programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants should present a strong secondary-school record with coursework in history, English and a modern or classical language where available. Indiana University considers academic preparation, letters of recommendation, personal statement and, for some applicants, a writing sample or evidence of research potential. Standardised tests may be optional in many admissions cycles; check the university’s current policy.

International applicants must demonstrate equivalent academic qualification and meet the university’s English-language proficiency requirements (for example through recognised tests or approved alternative evidence). Transfer applicants are assessed on college-level transcripts and a record of success in humanities courses.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with skills in critical thinking, research, close reading, foreign language competence and written/oral communication that are valued across many sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Further academic study at master’s or doctoral level in history, medieval studies, art history or related fields.
• Careers in museums, archives and heritage organisations as curators, archivists, conservators or public-programme staff (often combined with vocational qualifications).
• Teaching at secondary level (may require additional teacher-preparation certification) and educational outreach roles.
• Library and information science, cultural resource management, and digital humanities positions.
• Roles in publishing, journalism, law, public policy, non-profit organisations and cultural tourism, where research and communication skills are essential.

Why study at Indiana University

Indiana University offers a large, research-active History Department with faculty whose expertise spans medieval and early modern Europe, allowing students to pursue specialised topics under experienced mentors. The campus hosts interdisciplinary programmes and centres—such as Medieval Studies—that provide seminars, colloquia and collaborative research opportunities.

Students benefit from extensive library collections, including special collections and manuscript holdings, and the Lilly Library’s rare-book resources, which support hands-on work with primary materials. The university’s strong study-abroad links and local cultural partnerships create pathways for internships and field experience in European archives, museums and heritage sites. Undergraduate research support and faculty-led projects make it straightforward for motivated students to gain publishable research experience before graduation.