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School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries

MA History (Second World War: Conflict, Societies, Holocaust)

MA Part-time 28 months

This Masters degree explores selected key topics of the Second World War.

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This Masters degree explores selected key topics of the Second World War.

Award
MA
Start date(s)
5 October 2026
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Part-time (28 months)
Campus location
University: City Campus
School
School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries

Why choose this course?

Explore the Second World War from military, political, social and Holocaust perspectives with the MA History (Second World War: Conflict, Societies, Holocaust) at the University of Wolverhampton. This part-time course takes a broad approach to the conflict, examining not only campaigns and strategy but also occupation, diplomacy, societies at war and the experiences and interpretation of the Holocaust. You will be taught by historians with established research and publication records in Second World War and Holocaust studies. 

Standout modules include Axis and Allies: Strategy, Diplomacy and Politics at War, which explores the political and strategic relationships that shaped the conflict, and The Ostfront and German Occupation Policy in Eastern Europe, where you will examine warfare and occupation on the Eastern Front. The Holocaust: Historiography, Sources, Controversies develops your ability to engage critically with evidence and competing historical interpretations, while The Asia-Pacific War 1937-1945 and The Victory Campaign: The War in the West, June 1944 to May 1945 broaden your understanding of major theatres of the conflict. 

The course is delivered part-time over 28 months using a Saturday School model, with taught modules combining lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will develop advanced skills in historical research, critical analysis and the use of primary, archival and digitised sources before completing a 60-credit Dissertation: Research and Writing. This gives you the opportunity to carry out an original research project based on primary sources and explore an aspect of the Second World War in greater depth. The programme can support progression into research, education, heritage and other roles where advanced historical analysis and communication skills are valued, as well as further doctoral study. 

What's unique about this course?

  • This degree offers an innovative and broadly-based curriculum that offers a unique and thorough examination of the causes, outcomes and impacts of conflict during the Second World War.
  • Be part of a dynamic History and War Studies group which offers relevant extra-curricular activities, e.g. study days, international lecture series.
  • Be taught be expert lecturers and researchers in their field.

What happens on the course?

This Masters degree explores selected key topics of the Second World War. It allows in-depth study in the history of military conflicts, societies and the Holocaust, including: strategy, diplomacy and politics; the Ostfront and German occupation policy in Eastern Europe; societies and total war; the Asia-Pacific War 1937-45, the war in the West 1944/1945; and the Holocaust: historiography, sources and controversies. At the culmination of the course, students undertake a piece of original research, a dissertation based on primary sources

The course employs a Saturday School model which provides maximum opportunity for part-time students to benefit from in-class learning. Taught modules consist of three Saturday Schools which each of which includes lectures, seminars, and tutorials.

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Module: 7WR045
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

On this module you will analyse how and why historians have interpreted crucial aspects of the causes, conduct and outcomes of the Second World War differently. You will explore issues such as the following: How much impact did strategic bombing by the allies have on the German and Japanese war efforts? Did bombing significantly undermine Germany’s industrial mobilisation, as argued by some economic historians, or was it unable to prevent the continued growth of German war production? Did the US submarine blockade have a greater impact on the Japanese economy than strategic bombing? To what extent was the Second World War understood as a ‘people’s war’ in Britain during the conflict, or was this a set of ideas created by historians writing during the 1960s? Should the British Army be considered a more effective fighting force than the German Army during the Normandy campaign (June-August 1944)? This module will not only enhance your understanding of key aspects of the Second World War, but it will also develop your ability to critically engage with the ideas of leading historians. The module is assessed via an essay; you can answer a question from the list provided or write your own.

Module: 7WR046
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

On this module you will examine how the Second World War was fought at the tactical and operational level. It focuses on how the military forces of the major combatants developed over the course of the war and examines several prominent operations in detail. As such, the module explores issues such as the following: Why did the British Army meet with so many defeats initially in the West, Mediterranean and Far East but was ultimately able to achieve major victories from late 1942? Equally, why was the German military initially so successful but ultimately defeated? Were the Red Army’s successes on the Eastern Front due primarily to its growing material superiority or to the development of its tactics and operational art? How close did the German U-Boat campaign during the Battle of the Atlantic come to success and why was it ultimately defeated? By the end of the module, you will have a well-developed understanding of how the Second World War was fought on land, in the air and at sea. The module is assessed via an essay; you can answer a question from the list provided or write your own.

Module: 7WR044
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module will analyse the development and implementation of Grand Strategy among the major belligerent powers in the Second World War. The types of strategy and the particular approaches adopted by the principal fighting nations will be examined and analysed, particularly the contrasting styles of the Axis and Allied powers. Particular reference will be given to coalition warfare, contrasting the emergence and development of the Grand Alliance with the methods employed by the Axis powers. In addition, focus will be placed on the key building blocks of grand strategy, such as intelligence, resources and political ideology. This module will not only enhance your understanding of key aspects of the Second World War, but it will also develop your ability to critically engage with the wider concepts of strategic thought and historiographical analysis. The module is assessed via an essay: you can answer a question from the list provided or develop your own.

Module: 7WR047
Credits: 60
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module allows students to produce a major piece of independent study on a topic of their choosing. To help them undertake this work, students are supported by an experienced researcher who will be assigned to them as a dissertation supervisor. The dissertation normally combines original research with a thorough analysis of the established literature in the relevant area. The ability of the student to complete this successfully is a significant component in demonstrating the capacity to study at Masters level. Writing an MA-level dissertation will not only enhance and demonstrate your research skills, but it will also give you an extensive knowledge of a topic which you find of particular interest.

Module: 7WR048
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module explores what ‘total war’ meant for the nations and people caught up in the Second World War. It focuses on social life on the home front, the mobilisation of people and resources as well as how governments changed to better control the nation in arms. As such, the module explores issues such as the following: What is ‘total war’? Why have explanations of this concept changed over time and what does this mean for our understanding of the Second World War? How was the war explained to British people via government propaganda? To what extent did the conflict lead to social change in Britain and the US? How well did the Japanese war effort hold up to the rigours of war in both China and the Pacific? By the end of the module students will have a strong grasp of the historiography surrounding this subject. The module introduces students to a wide range of historical interpretations, thereby providing a broad knowledge of the various schools of thought on the subject. Students will analyse these differing interpretations and draw their own conclusions which will be presented in the form of oral presentations and a final essay.

Potential Career Paths

The MA History (Second World War: Conflict, Societies, Holocaust) develops advanced skills in historical research, source analysis, critical thinking and written communication that are valuable across a range of careers. Graduates can use these skills in areas such as education, museums and heritage, archives, research, publishing, journalism, the Civil Service and other public sector roles. The specialist knowledge developed in Second World War and Holocaust studies can also support work in historical interpretation, commemorative organisations and cultural institutions, while the dissertation provides strong preparation for those looking to progress into further academic research or PhD study.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The advantages of studying for an MA History (Second World War Studies: Conflict, Societies, Holocaust) at Wolverhampton include: - Being taught by some of the leading Second World War and Holocaust historians in the UK, who have proven and respected research and publications records and reputations for excellence in teaching.

An innovative and broadly-based curriculum that offers a unique and thorough examination of the causes, outcomes and impacts of conflict during the Second World War. - Being part of a dynamic History and War Studies group which offers relevant extra-curricular activities, e.g. study days, international lecture series.

The academic lead for this course is Dr. Adam Dighton: a.dighton@wlv.ac.uk.

 

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Part-time £5508 per year 2026-27

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years of study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

 A Honours Degree with 2:2 or above is desirable, but applicants with other qualifications and non-graduates will be considered on individual merits.

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £13,206 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits


Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.


Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.


Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts. Please contact Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Aid. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.


You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

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