History of Science, Technology and Medicine MA at University of Leeds

Gain an insight into the complex history of technology, medicine and science, and how they have shaped the world we live in.

You’ll explore the themes, concepts and debates in the study of the history of science through core modules. These will enable you to develop your historical research skills, using our excellent library resources to work with primary and secondary sources. You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules that allow you to specialise in topics areas that suit your interests, from birth, death and illness in the Middle Ages to modern science communication.

Guided by leading researchers and supported by our Centre of History and Philosophy of Science, you’ll learn in a stimulating environment with access to a wide range of activities. You can also get involved in the development of our Museum of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine.

We have a wide variety of research resources to support your studies. The Brotherton Library houses extensive manuscript, archive and printed material in its Special Collections, including Newton’s Principia, a first edition of his Opticks and thousands of books and journals on topics from the 16th century onwards on topics such as astronomy, botany, medicine, physiology, chemistry, inventions and alchemy. You’ll also have access to the collections of artefacts across campus that we have brought together through the Museum of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine.

The Centre also hosts a number of research seminars given by visiting speakers, staff members and doctoral students and which all postgraduate students are encouraged to attend. There are also regular reading groups on a wide range of topics and the seminar series of other centres within the School are also available.