Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Transform your love of naval, maritime and coastal history into a versatile postgraduate qualification on this Master's in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History, all from the home of the Royal Navy.
Thanks to our partnerships with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the HMS Warrior and other key maritime heritage institutions, you'll have digital or in-person access to a treasure trove of expertise, archives and galleries to enrich your studies.
With the entire course online via distance learning, you can choose to study full-time over a year or part-time over two years, if you're looking to study alongside work or military service.
You'll embark on a deep dive into the global legacy of developments in the naval domain from 1508 to 1960. Considering factors from strategic to sociological, technological to cultural, you'll explore subject areas including the role of the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the Second World War, debates around the naval battle at Jutland, how Nelson won at Trafalgar, and what contributed to the Boston Tea Party.
You'll learn from a team of naval experts and historical curators who share your passion for the field, and analyse topics with a diverse cohort of fellow students from all around the world.
When you graduate, you'll have specialist expertise in naval, coastal and maritime history as well as enhanced career-ready skills in critical analysis, research, source evaluation and writing. You'll be an ideal candidate for PhD study, or for roles in fields such as journalism, education, museum curation, or the Armed Forces.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
97%
Agree this course challenged them to produce their best work
(Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022)
97%
Satisfied with the quality of the course
(Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022)
Course highlights
- Immerse yourself in a rich exploration of naval, maritime and coastal history, into areas such as the European Imperial expansion, the birth of the United States, and the role of the sea in the English Civil War, the Spanish Armada, the reign of King Henry VIII and the disappearance of the Mary Rose
- Enjoy digital or in-person access to the collections of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the HMS Warrior, Lloyd's Register Foundation, the Legasee Educational Trust, and the Wellington Trust, and have the chance to get involved in research projects, field trips and behind-the-scenes tours
- Hear from expert guest lecturers, such as Dr Edward Hampshire from the Royal Navy’s Naval Historical Branch, and opt to attend history research seminars conducted by the University and external academics
- Develop your ability to carry out historical research and interpret multi-archive sources using our extensive interactive library, including unique primary sources, secondary literature, and video clips of experts in the field
- Build a network of fellow naval historians and, once you graduate, join our naval history alumni group
- Choose an area of naval, maritime or coastal history to explore in-depth for your dissertation or research project
Benefits of distance learning
- Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device – find out how distance learning works
- Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library – see all library support for distance learners
- Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
- Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call
Why study a Master's in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History?
Study with us and earn a Master's in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History from the home of the Royal Navy.
In this video, you'll meet some of our students and academics, and discover what they love about this distance learning course.
Gillian
Naval history is my passion. Courses in naval history are difficult to find, but this one is perfect because the University of Portsmouth offer distance learning, which suits me down to the ground.
Dr Matthew Heaslip
MA Naval History is a distance learning course that is designed to introduce people to the 500 years worth of history of the Royal Navy through a series of weekly online seminars which engage with a fully accessible reading list that's available online, as well as a variety of materials, particularly primary sources that we make available through our online systems to help ensure that students, wherever they are in the world, can engage just as fully as if they were here in Portsmouth itself.
Gillian
There is a lot of contact with the tutors online, so you never feel lost or alone.
Andrew Venn
My favourite part of the MA Naval History course is learning about the history of the Royal Navy from its origins right up until modern times. Before the course, I only really focussed on a small part of the Royal Navy's history from the mid-18th century to early-19th century. Since then, I've expanded my knowledge and my interest of history at the Royal Navy.
Dr Matthew Heaslip
To succeed with this course, I think all that really matters is what we find with all of our students is a love of naval history.
Gillian
I think you get the community feel. I certainly have. I certainly look forward to hearing the contributions from the other students.
Dr Matthew Heaslip
With the course, we have a really diverse set of students from those in their seventies and eighties who have spent them years working in the Royal Navy to those in their twenties who have just completed undergraduate studies.
Gillian
It fulfills that need I have to learn and that's why I chose to do this course at Portsmouth.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
January 2025 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent in History or a related subject (International Relations, War Studies, Journalism etc), or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field such as heritage or the Navy and Armed Forces.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as military service, previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent in History or a related subject (International Relations, War Studies, Journalism etc), or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field such as heritage or the Navy and Armed Forces.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as military service, previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 start)
- Full-time: £8,900
- Part-time: £4,450 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £8,900
- Part-time: £4,450 per year
- Full-time: £8,900
- Part-time: £4,450 per year
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
- Full-time: £9,400
- Part-time: £4,700 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £9,400
- Part-time: £4,700 per year
- Full-time: £9,400
- Part-time: £4,700 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which relate to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
Core modules
With specialist academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
You can also choose to pursue predefined projects on naval, maritime and coastal history identified by our external connections with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Maritime Museum, Lloyd’s Register Heritage Foundation, and others.
It may also be possible for you to take advantage of maritime and naval heritage sites in your local area with the agreement of your tutor. You'll write up your research either as an academic paper or an applied project portfolio, showcasing your grasp of research design, historical methods including analysis, evaluation, ethics, organisation, planning and writing.
You'll understand the range of historical approaches used in naval, maritime and coastal history, and hone your skills in primary and secondary source analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and ethics.
You'll then gain experience sharing your knowledge effectively in a variety of formats designed to help you practice reaching scholarly and public audiences, such as a historiography essay, an analytical report, and a blog post based on your own naval, maritime or coastal history research.
You’ll look at key events, including battles such as the Armada and Trafalgar, assess how the Navy was supplied and manned, and explore how the experience of the sailor changed over time.
Using the collections of the museums on the University's doorstep, as well as the historic ships in Portsmouth, you’ll learn what it was like to serve aboard a wooden sailing ship, and how the Navy, and its heroes and ordinary sailors, were portrayed to the nation at large.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century however, Britain began to be challenged globally, and found itself at war twice in the twentieth century.
The rise of the USA, and the decline of its empire meant that, although victorious in both World Wars, Britain's global power had disappeared soon after 1945.
On this module, you’ll look to understand how the Navy fits into these wider trends, and the role it played in both peace and war.
Part-time
Core modules
You'll understand the range of historical approaches used in naval, maritime and coastal history, and hone your skills in primary and secondary source analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and ethics.
You'll then gain experience sharing your knowledge effectively in a variety of formats designed to help you practice reaching scholarly and public audiences, such as a historiography essay, an analytical report, and a blog post based on your own naval, maritime or coastal history research.
You’ll look at key events, including battles such as the Armada and Trafalgar, assess how the Navy was supplied and manned, and explore how the experience of the sailor changed over time.
Using the collections of the museums on the University's doorstep, as well as the historic ships in Portsmouth, you’ll learn what it was like to serve aboard a wooden sailing ship, and how the Navy, and its heroes and ordinary sailors, were portrayed to the nation at large.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century however, Britain began to be challenged globally, and found itself at war twice in the twentieth century.
The rise of the USA, and the decline of its empire meant that, although victorious in both World Wars, Britain's global power had disappeared soon after 1945.
On this module, you’ll look to understand how the Navy fits into these wider trends, and the role it played in both peace and war.
Core modules
With specialist academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
You can also choose to pursue predefined projects on naval, maritime and coastal history identified by our external connections with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Maritime Museum, Lloyd’s Register Heritage Foundation, and others.
It may also be possible for you to take advantage of maritime and naval heritage sites in your local area with the agreement of your tutor. You'll write up your research either as an academic paper or an applied project portfolio, showcasing your grasp of research design, historical methods including analysis, evaluation, ethics, organisation, planning and writing.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Studying MA Naval History was a very good experience, as it really helped me to develop analytical and writing skills needed for my future career path. I also liked the fact that I was able to study the course from a more global perspective. One of the best things was the feedback of my lecturers, as it was constructive and helped me to improve my skills where necessary.
How history comes alive in Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a time traveller’s paradise, with historic tales of royalty, naval exploration, and even the odd ghost… join two of our students for a tour around our historic island city.
Archie and Kimberley
Welcome to Portsmouth!
Kimberley
Our city is a time traveller's paradise with historical tales of royalty, naval exploration and even the odd ghost.
Archie
Let us show you around.
Archie
Portsmouth is best known for our naval history, and here at the historic dockyard, you'll find the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory. People arriving and leaving via ships has helped to shape the city, and the city has helped to shape their ideas and actions.
Kimberley
In 1662, Catherine Duchess of Braganza alighted here from Portugal to marry King Charles II. Their wedding took place here in Portsmouth and you can see their marriage certificate in Portsmouth Cathedral.
Archie
In the cathedral you'll also find a statue of the Duke of Buckingham, who was assassinated not far away in the Greyhound Inn. The Cathedral is also linked to multiple ghost stories and urban legends, including a sighting of Spring-heeled Jack, a fire-breathing demon.
Kimberley
The city wasn't built to keep out demons, but Portsmouth was vitally important in the defence of the Channel Coast. So a protective circuit was built around the city, including Southsea Castle.
Archie
Moving forward in the timeline of the city's defence, the site of popular shopping centre Gunwharf Quays was once home to the ‘stone frigate’ HMS Vernon. This two-tonne monument commemorates its mine warfare and diving heritage.
Kimberley
Like many port cities, Portsmouth welcomes a variety of different cultures and backgrounds, but their histories are not always visible. Historians at the University are working with community activists, curators, archivists and teachers to raise the visibility of black history and to engage locals in the co-production of this knowledge.
Archie
As well as visitors, Portsmouth has many famous faces who were born right here, including novelist Charles Dickens, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the engineer.
From engineers to writers, royalty to slaves, Portsmouth has had a number of people come and go over the years.
Kimberley
Their impact lives on. Our historians are discovering new stories from the past that helped shape our future.
Archie
Visit us and our historic city. You never know, you might just change its future.
Facilities
You'll have digital or in-person access to the historical collections of the following maritime heritage organisations during your studies.
National Museum of the Royal Navy
Explore the archives of the NMRN, the most comprehensive collection of Royal Navy heritage in the UK, which chart how the service helped shape the modern world through stories of courage and determination, enterprise and endeavour, heroism and sacrifice.
HMS Warrior
Discover the history of Britain's first iron-hulled armoured battleship, launched in 1860 and once the largest and fastest of all Royal Navy ships, as well as her influence on warship design and what life at sea was like in the Victorian Navy.
Lloyd's Register Foundation
Attend online lectures and workshops hosted by the Lloyd's Register Foundation during your studies and enjoy privileged access to its digital archive library of ship plans, survey reports, statistical tables, books and journals.
Legasee Educational Trust
Delve into Legasee's collection of veteran videos interviews and personal accounts to hear about modern naval history from the people who made it.
The Wellington Trust
Discover how the Wellington Trust preserve the decommissioned warship HQS Wellington and the history of the Merchant Navy.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study)
You can expect:
- 12 live online seminars for each taught module you study, with each held at two different times so as many students as possible can attend. These will also be recorded for later viewing or if students are unable to attend a session. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- 36 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 18 hours each week if you study part-time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- interactive online resources
- one-to-one feedback and guidance with lecturers
- online live/real-time virtual seminars
This Master's in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- document analysis
- book reviews
- dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
This MA in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History will enable you to fully understand the role naval activity has played in shaping the world as we know it, as well as Britain’s place within it and the context of geopolitics today.
Armed with this knowledge and the higher-level research and analytical skills you'll gain, you'll be ready to seek promotion in your current role or military career, or to pursue senior positions in charities, financial institutions, publications, and maritime and heritage organisations. You could also continue your studies to PhD level.
Graduates of this course have gone onto areas such as:
- journalism
- law
- teaching
- administration
- archive and museum curation
- research
- PhD study
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations such as the:
- Civil Service
- Armed Forces
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. Current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth and international students also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2025
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) – 2 years
Start this course in January 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.