University of Liverpool

International Slavery Studies

University of LiverpoolLiverpool, United Kingdom

Course overview

Join a programme that places you at the forefront of investigations into the histories, legacies and commemorations of human enslavement and unfree labour. This MA combines historical perspectives with global insights into modern manifestations of slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. Exploring the history of unfree labour and examining modern slavery, this MA reflects a growing interest in the histories and afterlives of transatlantic slavery.

The programme connects the local and the global. We’ll reflect, for example, on Liverpool’s role as the former ‘capital of the slave trade’ and review slave and unfree labour across different time periods and geographical locations. We’ll challenge you to analyse historical forms of slavery and critique modern responses to human trafficking.

Evaluating the legacies of slavery in contemporary society, you’ll apply critical and literary theories to different representations of slavery. Links with resistance, protest and activism will also be considered. You’ll benefit from our unique relationship with the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool.

Working with the Museum’s staff, you’ll study the commemoration and memorialisation of slavery. An optional project-based placement provides further opportunity to gain practical experience with a museum, archive or charity. Membership of the University’sCentre for the Study of International Slaverywill enable you to access a variety of seminars and conferences.

You’ll meet international speakers at these events, attend talks and discuss cutting-edge research into historical and contemporary manifestations of slavery.

Key highlights

  • Unique relationship with the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool
  • Study commemoration and memorialisation of slavery with Museum staff
  • Optional project-based placement with a museum, archive or charity
  • Membership of the Centre for the Study of International Slavery
  • Covers historical slavery alongside modern forced labour and human trafficking
  • Seminars and conferences with international speakers on cutting-edge research

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — Postgraduate entry requirements: We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution.
  • Additional condition: interview — If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be requested to submit a sample of your historical analysis, between 1,500 and 2,500 words in English, for discussion.

Scholarships

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • E. Allison Peers Masters Scholarship in Iberian and Latin American Studies

    The scholarship provides £5,000 towards fees, plus a £5,000 stipend, for students undertaking a Hispanic topic in any master's programme in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film at the University of Liverpool.

    Up to £5,000
  • Health, Cultures and Societies Bursary

    The successful candidate will receive a one-off fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Hodgson Law Scholarship

  • Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Postgraduates

    If you're an international student, you could be eligible for a tuition fee discount of £7,000.

    Up to £7,000
  • Liverpool Law School Hong Kong Scholarships

    Two scholarships worth £1,000 each.

    Up to £1,000
  • Liverpool Law School LLM Bursaries

    Two bursaries worth £500 each for Home students. Two bursaries wroth £1,000 each for international students.

  • MA in Chinese-English Translating and Interpreting Scholarships

    Students awarded this scholarship will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Management School MBA Excellence Scholarship

    50% tuition fee discounts are available.

    Up to 50% of fees
  • Manuel Irujo Scholarship in Basque Studies

    The scholarship provides approximately £5,000.

  • MusicFutures Scholarship for International Intellectual Property Law LLM

    Up to five scholarships are available, each worth £12,500 in the form of a tuition fee discount.

    Up to £12,500
  • Peter Astaire Memorial Scholarship in Beatles Studies

    Up to two awards are available in each academic year, with each award worth £4,000.

    Up to £4,000
  • Scholarships for MA Political Science and International Relations

    The Department of Politics is pleased to announce two £5,000 scholarships for students wishing to pursue the MA in Political Science and International Relations.

    Up to £5,000
  • Scholarships for Master's in Public Administration and Policy

    Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Education

    Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Film Studies

    Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in History

    Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Translation

    Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.

    Up to £5,000
  • University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master's Programmes

  • University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC) Excellence Scholarship

    £5,000 tuition fee reduction for the first year of study.

    Up to £5,000

Careers this course leads to

  • Museum curator
  • Archivist
  • Heritage officer
  • Anti-trafficking policy officer
  • Charity project officer
  • Historical researcher

Cost of study

UK/Home: Full-time place, per year - £12,500; Part-time: £6,250 | International: Full-time place, per year - £28,000; Part-time: £14,000

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Liverpool, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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