http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/subjectareas/history/postgraduatestudy/mamodernbritish/

Taking an MA first would help you to have a clear idea of which specific time frame in history and subject area you would like to specialize in. Or you could register for an MPhil first which can be a stepping stone towards a PhD like an MA but moreover the time spent on the MPhil contributes towards the PhD.

Also, registering for an MA/MPhil in the first instance would given you some time to source out some funding for a PHD…ie you might be able to find a scholarship…especially if you are expected to do well in your Masters. You might be eligible for an award by the Arts and Humanities Research Council but in order to know that I would check well in advance on the criteria for eligibility. Here is their website:

http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/university_staff/postgraduate.asp#3

Look for universites with a History department that has achieved 5* in the recent research Assessment exercise (RAE) such as this one at Durham:

http://www.dur.ac.uk/history/

The UK website http://www.jobs.ac.uk covers funded PhD places such as this one recently listed for Durham:

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/jobs/SI580/AHRC-funded_PhD_studentship/

This google search gives you other UK universites with 5/5* History Departments:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=modern+history+5*+department+uk+university&btnG=Search&meta=

such as Birmingham:

http://www.history.bham.ac.uk/

On a scale of 1 to 5*, 5* is the highest, 5 the second highest, 1 is the lowest.

Another website that might be of help is the Institute of Historical Research:

http://www.history.ac.uk/degrees/

Hope this helps.

I wish you every success with your searching and securing a place. Best wishes.