Studies & Degrees in Medieval Studies
Choose where you would like to study Medieval Studies:
Medieval studies is the interdisciplinary study of the Middle Ages, roughly the thousand years between Late Antiquity and the 15th century. Instead of looking at the period through one discipline, students combine history, literature and languages, art and architecture, archaeology, philosophy and theology. The University of Chicago describes its programme as an interdisciplinary major in which students explore the history, philosophy, theology and cultural production of the Middle Ages.
Two things set the subject apart from a general history degree. The first is languages: medieval sources are written in Latin and in early forms of modern languages, and programmes teach languages such as Medieval Latin, Old English, Old French, Old Norse or Occitan. The second is working with original material. Students take courses in palaeography (reading old handwriting), codicology, manuscript studies or epigraphy, and learn to read and date documents and objects.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In the United States, medieval studies is a major or a minor within a four-year bachelor's degree. At the University of Chicago the major requires twelve courses spread over history, language or literature, art or music, and philosophy or theology, plus a BA paper of around 25 pages. Fordham University in New York offers an interdisciplinary BA in Medieval Studies. Many universities have no single degree in the subject: the University of St Andrews states that it does not currently offer a single Honours degree in medieval studies, although several of its degrees include medieval subjects.
- Master's degree. This is the most common level for a named qualification. The MA in Medieval Studies at the University of York lasts 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, offers language options in Latin, Old English, Old Norse and Old French, and ends with a dissertation of 12,000 to 14,000 words. St Andrews offers an interdisciplinary MLitt in Medieval Studies, and Fordham an MA. At Utrecht University, Medieval Studies is one of four specialisations of the research master's Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, which takes two years (120 EC).
- Doctorate. Research degrees are offered by medieval centres and history departments. The Department of Historical Studies of Central European University (CEU), located in Vienna, offers a PhD in Late Antique, Medieval and Early Modern Studies and states that its degrees are accredited in Austria and the United States. Fordham offers a doctoral-level Advanced Certificate in Medieval Studies for PhD students of participating departments.
In Spain, the Middle Ages are normally studied within a bachelor's degree (grado) in History, of 240 ECTS credits, followed by an official master's degree of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 38 active schools for medieval studies. Twenty-three are in the United States, five in the United Kingdom, three in Spain and two in Canada, with one each in Denmark, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany. Examples are the University of Chicago, Fordham University, Yale University and Harvard University in the United States, the University of York, the University of St Andrews and University College London in the United Kingdom, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and the Universidad de León in Spain.
Teaching is in English in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, and CEU and the Utrecht research master's also teach in English. Elsewhere, check the language of each programme with the school.
When comparing programmes, look at which medieval languages are taught and at what level, how much training in palaeography and manuscripts is included, which disciplines the teaching staff come from, and what archives, libraries and collections are within reach.
Careers
Medieval studies trains people to read difficult sources, weigh evidence and write clearly. Graduates work in museums, archives, libraries, heritage and publishing, in teaching, and in fields unrelated to history. An academic career requires a doctorate, and students who plan one are advised to learn at least one medieval language early.
There are no official employment statistics for medievalists as such. For historians in general, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that they typically need a master's degree or PhD to enter the occupation and that they work in museums, archives, historical societies and research organisations. The occupation is small: historians held about 3,800 jobs in the United States in 2025, and the BLS projects employment to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know Latin to study medieval studies?
Not to start, but you will learn a medieval language during the programme. The University of Chicago advises students who may apply to graduate school to acquire reading competence in at least one medieval language.
Can I study medieval studies as a bachelor's degree?
At some universities, yes: the University of Chicago and Fordham University offer it as a major. At many others it is available only as a master's degree, and undergraduates study the period within history, literature or art history.
How long does a master's in medieval studies take?
One or two years. The MA at the University of York takes 1 year full-time, and the research master's at Utrecht University takes two years (120 EC).
What is the difference between medieval studies and medieval history?
Medieval history is one discipline. Medieval studies combines history with literature, languages, art, archaeology, philosophy and theology, and trains students to work with manuscripts and objects.