Overview
Digital humanities masters. MA Digital Humanities at Durham University: 6 assessed courses, 180 credits and 1,800 notional learning hours, at 10 hours per credit. The hours on each course add up to that total. Seminars run online. A Durham collegiate campus route is published separately from this online award.
MA Digital Humanities is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 180. Students move from The working week in Digital Humanities through The working week in Digital Humanities; Evidence in Digital Humanities; The system around Digital Humanities; Rules that bind Digital Humanities; A manager's brief in Digital Humanities; Capstone in Digital Humanities, and finish on Capstone in Digital Humanities.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Produce a professional file in Digital Humanities Choose a method and write what the evidence cannot support Keep a record a third party can review
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Each credit is 10 notional learning hours. The courses add up to 180 credits and 1,800 hours.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦People already working around Digital Humanities
- ✦Career-changers who can study without leaving their city
- ✦Teams who need a file they can review, not a slogan
Faculty spotlight
Durham University supervises the courses and the final assessed file. Supervision is assigned from the school that owns the award.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Produce a professional file in Digital Humanities
- ✦Choose a method and write what the evidence cannot support
- ✦Keep a record a third party can review
- ✦State the limit of the award
- ✦Submit the final project inside the published hours
Career Pathways
- ✦Digital Humanities lead
- ✦Digital Humanities analyst
- ✦Digital Humanities coordinator
- ✦Advisor, Digital Humanities
- ✦Project officer, Digital Humanities
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Stage 1 — 900 hours
S4V5J01The working week in Digital Humanities- S4V5J01-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — The working week in Digital Humanities
- S4V5J01-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — The working week in Digital Humanities
- S4V5J01-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — The working week in Digital Humanities
- S4V5J01-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — The working week in Digital Humanities
- S4V5J01-M5 · Revision after feedback — The working week in Digital Humanities
- S4V5J01-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — The working week in Digital Humanities
30 creditsS4L5X02Evidence in Digital Humanities- S4L5X02-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Evidence in Digital Humanities
- S4L5X02-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Evidence in Digital Humanities
- S4L5X02-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Evidence in Digital Humanities
- S4L5X02-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Evidence in Digital Humanities
- S4L5X02-M5 · Revision after feedback — Evidence in Digital Humanities
- S4L5X02-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Evidence in Digital Humanities
30 creditsS4B6B03The system around Digital Humanities- S4B6B03-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — The system around Digital Humanities
- S4B6B03-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — The system around Digital Humanities
- S4B6B03-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — The system around Digital Humanities
- S4B6B03-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — The system around Digital Humanities
- S4B6B03-M5 · Revision after feedback — The system around Digital Humanities
- S4B6B03-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — The system around Digital Humanities
30 creditsStage 2 — 900 hours
S693J04Rules that bind Digital Humanities- S693J04-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
- S693J04-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
- S693J04-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
- S693J04-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
- S693J04-M5 · Revision after feedback — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
- S693J04-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Rules that bind Digital Humanities
30 creditsS5Z3X05A manager's brief in Digital Humanities- S5Z3X05-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
- S5Z3X05-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
- S5Z3X05-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
- S5Z3X05-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
- S5Z3X05-M5 · Revision after feedback — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
- S5Z3X05-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — A manager's brief in Digital Humanities
30 creditsS5P4C06Capstone in Digital Humanities- S5P4C06-M1 · The question this course is responsible for — Capstone in Digital Humanities
- S5P4C06-M2 · The method, and the case or text it is applied to — Capstone in Digital Humanities
- S5P4C06-M3 · Evidence, sources, and a competing explanation — Capstone in Digital Humanities
- S5P4C06-M4 · Professional limits and what the conclusion must not claim — Capstone in Digital Humanities
- S5P4C06-M5 · Revision after feedback — Capstone in Digital Humanities
- S5P4C06-M6 · The submission: method, evidence, and defence — Capstone in Digital Humanities
30 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, or equivalent professional standing considered by admissions
Documents
- A statement of about 500 words on why this award fits your work
- Two references, academic or professional
- A CV
Programme questions
How long is the MA Digital Humanities?+
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.