Applied history embraces methods and practices dealing with the identification, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of historical artifacts, texts, structures, and landscapes.
This programme focuses on new historical approaches and methodologies, enabling students to develop strong research skills. Graduates are prepared for careers in the public sphere or in academia. The programme is based in St. Petersburg, which is a UNESCO World site and rich in museums, monuments, cultural-natural and archaeological heritage sites that provide unique opportunities for practical training.
A large part of historical studies is conducted as applied research. Using and interpreting historical data enables historian to construct "usable pasts" as a tool for understanding the present and imagining possible and alternative avenues of future development. Applied history embraces methods and practices dealing with identification, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of historical artifacts, texts, structures, and landscapes. In one part of our training we focus on material objects in history and their meanings within the framework of heritage and memory studies. The other part of the training will encompass a critical approach to the politics of circulation of historically formed discourses of identity and legitimacy in present day society. The two-pronged approach to the complex problem of historical legacy and heritage will fill out the gap in professional training in history and provide a platform for creating interactive processes that link the historical object, the historian, and the public.
Built on international experience of developing similar programmes, we use methodologies of global, comparative and transnational historical research that facilitate the study of patterns connecting European, Russian, Eurasian and global history. A crucial feature of the programme is its interdisciplinary character. In our view, applied history suffers from insufficient dialogue with research in other disciplines, not limited to other branches of humanities but social and natural sciences, including economics, geography and ecology. For that reason, the programme not only solicits applicants with undergraduate degrees in history, but actively seeks to enroll applicants with degrees in social sciences, economics, law as well as the natural sciences and engineering.
The programme is centered in St. Petersburg, which is a UNESCO World site. St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas are uniquely rich in museums, monuments, cultural-natural and archaeological heritage sites that provide unique opportunities for practical training. The history of the metropolitan imperial city and its complex environment provide ample opportunities to study variegated practices of preservation of material legacy and approaches to historical memory studies including symbolic representations of its imperial and Soviet past.
Although the programme will utilize its location in Russia and will provide respective training on the basis of Russian and Eurasian history, it will not be limited to Russian and Eurasian space and will include the following subfields of area- studies: the Baltic region, the Circumpolar North and the Global South.
This innovative programme designed to correspond to the best foreign patterns of teaching applied history which includes a broad range of historical research and practices connected with applying historical knowledge to the contemporary social, political and economic activities. At the present day labor market demand for highly-skilled professionals in the field of applied and interdisciplinary history are not met in Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe. Despite the fact that the demand for these professionals is high, applied history is professionalizing more slowly in Europe than in the USA, Canada and Australia where its place is to a large extent occupied by public history which includes a broad range of historical research and activities connected with applying historical knowledge in the contemporary life. Corresponding to international standards in teaching of applied history as well as standards adopted by professional communities and international organizations (including the International Federation of Public History) this Master's programme seeks to fill this gap in professional training in history.
International Applicants
In 2017 international applicants benefit from a specific international application and admission procedure designed to meet their needs and demands:
early start of application period – open from November 1, 2016:
- early admission decision and enrollment offer
- on-line application through a personal account at the HSE website
- all candidates are invited for a Skype interview and a remote portfolio competition – no need to come to St. Petersburg to pass entrance exams before the start of your studies!
- Scholarships: 25%-100% off tuition fees for the most motivated and outstanding applicants
- ‘First come - first serve’ – apply now to increase your chances to reserve your seat in the class and to receive a scholarship offer!
Please check out the admission requirements for international students before starting your application.
International Admission Requirements
International applicants to this Master’s degree programme should meet the General Graduate Admission Requirements and the following programme-specific requirements:
1) This programme requires a high proficiency in English language and that shall be demonstrated through either of the following means:
- Valid international English test certificate: IELTS/TOEFL iBT or PBT/CAE/CPE/BEC Vantage/BEC Higher
- Minimal required score for 2017 intake will be published in January 2017. Minimal required score for 2016 intake was: IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 75 / other exams – certificate
- Native English speakers are exempt from this requirement
- International applicants whose previous degree was received completely in English language (should be confirmed in the diploma or transcript) are exempt from this requirement
- history
- anthropology
- social sciences
- environmental studies
We seek applicants with undergraduate degrees in all disciplines with strong commitment to study history. Send in your personal motivation statement and be prepared for admission interview. Eligible students must have good command of English as demonstrated by international certificates or exam (except native English speakers and students who have completed a degree exclusively in English).
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://spb.hse.ru/en/ma/apphist