University of Kansas

What you'll study

The programme combines broad undergraduate training in historical methods with specialised courses on medieval and early modern Europe. You will study topics such as medieval political institutions, the history of the church, urban and rural societies, gender and family life, intellectual and cultural movements (including humanism and the Reformation), early modern state formation, and the cultural impact of exploration and exchange.

Typical third- and fourth-year modules focus on regional and thematic specialisms: late antiquity and the transition to the Middle Ages, Carolingian and Norman worlds, medieval material culture, manuscript and book history, early modern warfare and diplomacy, cultural and intellectual networks, and the social history of religion.

Coursework emphasises primary-source work and historiography. Core components include coursework in historical methods, a research seminar, and a senior capstone or thesis project. Language study (for example Latin, medieval or modern French, German, or other European languages) is strongly encouraged to support source analysis. Electives and interdisciplinary options can be taken through related departments and centres.

• Foundations: introductions to world and European history, historical writing and research methods.
• Chronological and regional courses: late antique to high medieval, late medieval society, early modern Europe.
• Thematic seminars: religion and society, cities and trade, gender and family, material culture and visual sources.
• Language training: classical and modern languages to read primary texts in the original.
• Research capstone: a supervised honours thesis or capstone research project using primary sources.

Programme structure

The degree follows the standard Bachelor of Arts structure with lower-division survey courses and upper-division specialised seminars. Students normally complete a combination of required history core courses and elective modules focused on medieval and early modern Europe, culminating in advanced research training in the final year. Opportunities exist for study abroad, internships with museums and archives, and collaborative projects with campus research facilities.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent. Typical admissions criteria include a strong academic record, demonstrated proficiency in written communication and an interest in historical studies. US applicants should meet the University of Kansas undergraduate admissions standards; international applicants should present comparable credentials.

Preparation in social studies, humanities and languages is advantageous. Prospective students who have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or other transferable college credit may be able to apply those credits towards degree requirements. Transfer applicants are considered on the basis of college-level transcripts and completed coursework.

Strong applicants supply a personal statement that outlines their interest in medieval and early modern history and may submit examples of writing or school/college history work. Placement tests may determine appropriate language or levelled history courses.

Career prospects

Graduates develop transferable skills in research, critical thinking, close reading of primary sources, written and oral communication, and project management. These skills prepare students for a variety of careers, including:

• Secondary and further education (with appropriate teacher certification)
• Museums, archives and heritage sector roles, including curation and collections management
• Public history and cultural resource management
• Publishing, journalism and communications
• Public service, non-profit organisations and cultural diplomacy
• Legal, business and policy careers where analytical and research skills are valued
• Graduate study in history, medieval/early modern studies, library and information science, or related disciplines

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers access to a broad range of research resources relevant to medieval and early modern studies, including the Kenneth Spencer Research Library and special collections that support manuscript and primary-source work. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with departments such as Classics, Languages & Linguistics, and Art History, and from faculty who teach both large survey courses and small specialised seminars.

KU provides practical opportunities through study-abroad programmes in Europe, internships with regional museums and archives, and digital scholarship initiatives that allow students to work with digitised collections and mapping tools. Small-group tutorials and senior research supervision help students prepare for careers in heritage, education, public history or further academic research.