What is a good UK/IE University for a Masters Degree-seeking American.?

Question

I have my Bachelors In Arts Double Major, I am looking for a university that has a good Masters Degree program(specifically for History) that will also have a nice atmosphere for International students. Any sugestions?

Answer 1

For sure Oxford and Cambridge are the most famous. But a lot of my American friends went to UCL (mostly for archaeology and art history) they tend to work a lot with North American theories and North American profs. The down side is the price, London is horribly expensive.
Edinburgh is also very well respected. If you're into medieval history you should look at York (not York st. John's).
I guess it really does depend on the period you are interested in... don't forget that the MA programs in the UK are very specialised...
Also, it depends on the kind of degree you are looking for. You have the choice between taught masters (class based) or research masters, also known as M.Phil which is more focused on research.
Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Wales is relatively cheap to live in, if you're single. I did a degree in Aberystwyth, Swansea looks good for Masters too (a bit dangerous down at the bars... just stay out of trouble). Bangor is absolutely gorgeous. The rest of Wales is a dump.

If you can get into Oxford or Cambridge, that's the best (every American has heard of those). If you can stand the cold, St. Andrews is probably the best for History. Edinburg also has a good reputation (it's not that dangerous, Trainspotting is just a movie).

London has a few good ones as well... and great sightseeing (if you can afford it). A lot of specialist Universities that sound like degrees (centre for South East Asian countries I think one is called).

Leeds is another place like Swansea, nice with a good rep but a bit dangerous (kind of reminds me of home... actually, it's not Detroit).

I'd also say Bristol, but I guess not for History.

Stay away from Birmingham, Nottingham, and Manchester. They're not very nice places to live in (Birmingham has it's share of anti-Americans, and they'd steal a pram with children in it, plus they're mainly idiots).

You can do a search on prospects.ac.uk (it's a bit out of date). Also the Times Higher Education suppliment makes some lists (kind of like US News and World Report).

Answer 3

for a masters degree you should really choose the uni according to its teaching quality. Have a look at this web page the Quality Assurance Agency is the body responsible for teaching quality in the UK - you can read the reports that independent assessors have made on uni programmes in specific disciplines

Answer 4

I'm currently applying to do an MA in English Studies at the University of Exeter. I had to look into their Art faculty, as my hypothesis is slightly cross-disciplinary, and they have an excellent Fine Arts collection.

Also, you'd get to live in Cornwall (one of our most beautiful counties). Maybe I'll see you there!!

ps: I also have a friend who is studying for her BA in Fine Art at The Ruskin, which is part of Oxford University, and absolutely fantastic.

Answer 5

hi