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During this programme, you will: 

• Build advanced research and writing skills in the history of the family. 

• Learn how to analyse historical sources and uncover the stories of families across time and place. 

• Explore key themes such as migration, community, cultural identity, and social change. 

• Gain experience in communicating your findings through essays, podcasts, blogs, and presentations. 

• Design and complete an original research project on a topic that matters to you. 

• Engage with a diverse learning community through a flexible, blended teaching model. 

Key Information: 

• Complete full-time in one year or part-time over two years 

• Delivered on campus or online 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters 

• Submit a dissertation at the end of the summer semester 

• Exit award option: Graduate Diploma on completion of 60 taught credits 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Part-time considerations:  

• Designed for working professionals  

• Flexible to work around your schedule 

• Pre-recorded lectures  

• Timetable provided after registration 

Full-time 

Autumn Semester  

• Introduces different ways of researching family and the sources that are available for unlocking family life.  

• links families to the places where they worked, lived and played.  

• introduces students to the broad concept of cultural history and examines how cultural values informed the development of Irish society in the period 1922 to 2002.  

• provides an insight into the research techniques, historiographical concerns, and analytical approaches deployed by professional historians in research papers.  

Spring Semester 

• introduces students to the key concepts and ideas of migration. 

• trains students in the techniques of organising and presenting research, and to think across methodological and discipline boundaries.   

• facilitates the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a specific topic that aligns with the research expertise of faculty.

• exposes students to the challenges of historical research particularly in relation to project design, primary source analysis, and the presentation of research findings. 

Summer Semester 

• identify a subject research area and complete a 20,000 word dissertation. 

Or   

• Exit for Graduate Diploma on completion of 60 taught credits 

Part-time Year 1 

Autumn Semester 

• introduces different ways of researching family and the sources that are available for unlocking family life.  

•   links families to the places where they worked, lived and played. 

Spring Semester 

• introduces students to the key concepts and ideas of migration. 

• facilitates the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a specific topic that aligns with the research expertise of faculty.  

Year 2 

Autumn Semester  

• introduces students to the broad concept of cultural history and examines how cultural values informed the development of Irish society in the period 1922 to 2002.  

• provides an insight into the research techniques, historiographical concerns, and analytical approaches deployed by professional historians in research papers.   

Spring Semester  

• trains students in the techniques of organising and presenting research, and to think across methodological and discipline boundaries. 

• exposes students to the challenges of historical research particularly in relation to project design, primary source analysis, and the presentation of research findings.    

Summer Semester 

• identify a subject research area and complete a 20,000 word dissertation. 

Or   

• Exit for Graduate Diploma on completion of 60 taught credits 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2), BSc or BA) in a relevant discipline (e.g. History, Geography, Archaeology or Irish Studies)  

• Applicants with approved equivalent qualifications with substantial experience in the History of Family (such as appropriate publications) or relevant professional experience may also be considered for admission.   

• The university may shortlist and interview applicants as necessary.  

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.  

International students:  

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of documents: 

• Academic transcripts and certificates – translated if needed
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID number
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Copy of your CV
• Personal statement outlining your motivations for applying for a place on this programme. Please include details of any previous or current volunteering experience in the Youth and/or Community sectors. 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - Full Time €TBC  Part Time €4,500*

Non - EU - Full Time €18,600  Part Time €9,900*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change  

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of this programme qualifies for a study visa.

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Heritage, archival or library
• Higher education
• Primary and post-primary teaching 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions 

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Una Costello, Graduate MA History of Family and founder of celticgenealogy.ie.  

"The MA in History of Family gave me the research skills, the academic knowledge of Irish social history and the confidence to progress my interest in genealogy to providing a genealogy service to others. The MA in History of Family was instrumental in my decision to set up my business."