University of Iowa

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework, language training and supervised original research to develop expertise in medieval and early modern European cultural history. Core seminar options typically cover themes such as religious change and confessional cultures, intellectual history and the history of ideas, manuscript and print culture, material culture and visual studies, and the history of science and medicine in Europe.

Students normally take a mix of reading- and research-intensive seminars, language courses to support primary-source work (commonly Latin and one modern European language such as French, German, or Italian), and specialised methods courses in historical research and palaeography. The degree culminates in a substantial research thesis or a comprehensive examination, supervised by faculty with expertise in areas like medieval manuscript studies, early modern print culture, social and legal history, and comparative European history.

• Advanced seminars in medieval and early modern topics
• Language training for working with primary sources (e.g. Latin, French, German)
• Methodology and palaeography workshops
• Directed reading and thesis research under faculty supervision

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in history or a closely related humanities or social-science field. The department looks for evidence of strong academic preparation in historical methods and European history, demonstrated in transcripts and the academic writing sample.

Required application materials typically include a statement of purpose outlining research interests in medieval or early modern Europe, an academic writing sample, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors who can speak to the applicant’s scholarly potential. Competence in relevant languages is important; applicants without demonstrated language training may be advised to undertake preparatory coursework. International applicants must meet the university’s English-language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of careers that value advanced research, critical analysis and language skills. Common pathways include doctoral study in history and related fields, teaching at secondary and post-secondary levels, and roles in museums, archives and cultural heritage organisations. Other career options include publishing, public history, historic preservation, library and special-collections work, digital humanities projects, and positions in government or non-profit organisations that require strong research and communication abilities.

Why study at University of Iowa

The University of Iowa Department of History offers close mentorship from faculty active in medieval and early modern studies and access to strong interdisciplinary resources across the university. Graduate students benefit from the holdings of the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections, which include rare books, manuscripts and early printed materials that support hands-on research in manuscript and print culture.

Students can also draw on related centres and units—such as those supporting medieval studies, book history, and digital humanities—as well as a vibrant intellectual community in Iowa City, a city with rich literary and cultural institutions. The department provides graduate training that emphasises archival work, language competence and professionalisation for careers inside and beyond the academy, with opportunities for teaching and research assistantships and for presenting work at conferences and symposia.