Direct answer
The official Queen’s University Belfast course page for the MA Public History (2026/27 entry) states a minimum entry requirement of a 2.2 (minimum 55%) UK Honours degree. The page does not list a separate country-specific academic equivalency for Chinese qualifications; it provides only the UK degree classification threshold. Applicants holding Chinese bachelor’s degrees must have their qualifications assessed against this stated 2.2 (55%) standard through the university’s published international equivalency tables, which are not reproduced on this programme page and require a live recheck.
What the official page establishes
The Queen’s University Belfast MA Public History page confirms a single academic entry threshold: 2.2 (minimum 55%) . No further grade or GPA requirements are stated. The programme is offered full-time (1 year) or part-time (3 years), with 25 places available on each mode. The course includes a guaranteed 30-day placement with a cultural institution or heritage organisation. The page lists partner organisations where internships have previously taken place, including the Ulster Museum, Titanic Belfast, BBC, and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
What still requires live rechecking
- Country-specific equivalencies for Chinese qualifications. The programme page does not publish a China-specific GPA or percentage conversion. The university’s central international equivalency tables, which sit outside this page, must be consulted to determine what Chinese bachelor’s degree classification or average score satisfies the 2.2 (55%) requirement.
- English language proficiency. No IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or other English language score is mentioned on this programme page. Applicants must check the university’s central English language requirements for postgraduate taught programmes.
- Application deadlines and availability. The page does not state a closing date for 2026/27 entry. Live seat availability for the 25 full-time and 25 part-time places is not displayed.
- Tuition fee status and deposit requirements. The page links to fees and funding but the scraped content does not include the fee schedule for international students.
Course structure and placement
Full-time students take five taught modules across two semesters and complete a 15,000–20,000-word dissertation over the summer. The autumn semester includes two required core modules: ‘History and its Audiences’ (exclusive to MA Public History students) and ‘Historian’s Craft’ (shared with History MA students). A third module is chosen from ‘Individually Negotiated Topic’ or ‘Belfast: Place, Identity and Memory in a Contested City’. The spring semester comprises the ‘Case Studies in Public History’ module and a double-weighted internship module.
The 30-day placement is a guaranteed component. The page lists organisations where internships have taken place: Ulster Museum, Armagh Public Library, Special Collections at Queen’s, Titanic Belfast, HMS Caroline, Ulster American Folk Park, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, BBC, Doubleband Media, Belfast City Council, Hillsborough Castle (Historic Royal Palaces), Mount Stewart and Castle Ward (National Trust), Newry and Mourne Museum, Ulster Rugby Museum, and Museum of Free Derry.
Skills and career focus
The course develops research methods, archival work, oral history, digital curation, and museum collections skills. The page states that many graduates have progressed to PhD programmes and others have entered employment in museums, archives, libraries, journalism, media, teaching, private and public administration, economic development, and the voluntary sector. Queen’s is ranked 10th in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide).
Teaching and research environment
Teaching takes place at a variety of times from 12–6pm Monday to Friday. The programme is delivered by research-active staff including Dr Leonie Hannan (Internships Coordinator), Dr Niamh Cullen (Senior Lecturer), and Professor Olwen Purdue (Course Convenor). Students become part of the Centre for Public History, which runs monthly seminars, regular workshops, and an annual conference. All students have access to the McClay Library and Queen’s Graduate School, housed in the restored Victorian Lynn library.
International context and Chinese applicants
While this programme page does not provide China-specific entry criteria, Chinese applicants considering taught master’s programmes in public history or related humanities fields may find it useful to understand how different national systems handle postgraduate admissions. For comparative context on application systems, see how OUAC works for Ontario university applications. Those exploring master’s-level study in society and culture disciplines can review a reference guide to Australian society and culture master’s programmes. Readers interested in how agency services are evaluated in different study destinations may consult a 2026 ranking of Australian study-abroad agencies or considerations for UTS Sydney agency services.
FAQ
What is the minimum academic entry requirement for the MA Public History?
The official page states a minimum of a 2.2 (minimum 55%) UK Honours degree. No other grade threshold is listed on this programme page.
Does the page show a specific GPA requirement for Chinese bachelor’s degrees?
No. The page provides only the UK 2.2 (55%) classification. Chinese qualification equivalency must be checked through Queen’s University Belfast’s central international equivalency tables.
Is the 30-day placement guaranteed for every student?
The page describes the placement as a guaranteed work placement with a cultural institution or heritage organisation. It lists organisations where internships have previously taken place but does not guarantee placement at any specific named organisation.
How many places are available on the programme?
There are 25 places available for full-time study and 25 places for part-time study.
What are the exit qualifications for this programme?
Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules, or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.