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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 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 

• aims to look critically at the diversity and fluidity of households from socio-economic, political and cultural perspectives. 

• links families to the localities in which they worked, played and lived in. 

• introduce students to the broad concept of cultural history and b) examine how cultural values informed the development of Irish society in the period 1922 to 2002. 

• introduces students to historical research as practiced by professional historians. 

Spring Semester 

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

• weekly interdisciplinary module is to train students in the techniques of organising and presenting research, and to think across methodological and discipline boundaries. 

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

• introduces students to historical research as practiced by professional historians. 

Summer Semester 

• build upon the learning, writing and research experiences of students to complete a dissertation. 

Or  

You may choose to exit with a Graduate Diploma in History of Family upon successful completion of 60 taught credits (autumn and spring modules only).  

Part-time  

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

Spring Semester 

Autumn Semester 

Year 2  

Spring Semester 

Year 2 

Summer Semester  

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 €7,500  Part Time €4,100*

Non - EU - Full Time €10,000  Part Time €10,000*

* 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  

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." 

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."