Course information

Course highlights

• Modules are wide-ranging and cover areas of international relations, history, art history and film studies, as well as Russian language and literature.
• The School of History has a competitive Language Bursary Scheme in which students may apply to spend the summer preceding the taught element acquiring an appropriate Eastern European language.
• Students have the option of taking a Directed Reading module (tailored individual course of study) in order to engage with a research field of specific individual interest with the support of a specialist member of staff.

Teaching format

The MLitt in Central and Eastern European Studies is an interdisciplinary programme run by the School of History in collaboration with the Schools of International Relations, Modern Languages, Art History, and the Department of Film Studies.

Over the course of two semesters, students will take four modules. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures and fortnightly tutorials. Class sizes range from individual supervision up to 12 students. The modules are assessed by coursework only; there is no final exam.

Students will spend the final three months of the course focusing on researching and writing the final assessment piece for the MLitt, a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

• Masterclass in Central and East European Studies (1 and 2): provides a basic grounding in the history of modern and contemporary Central and Eastern Europe (including Russia).

Optional modules

Students choose two modules from the following:

• Conflicts, Security and Democracy in the Greater Caucasus: examines one of the world’s most fascinating yet least understood regions, with particular attention to the many wars in the Caucasus.
• The Soviet Union (1917-1991): studies the interlinked political, ideological, social, economic and cultural themes of the Soviet Union as well as its role on the international stage.
• Central and Eastern Europe since 1945: traces the pattern of Soviet domination of Eastern Europe from the end of the Second World War through an examination of both the common and individual responses to this in the nations concerned.
• History in the Making: Theories, Approaches and Practice (whole year): examines the development of history-writing and historical research since the Enlightenment, and the emergence of fields, trends and new approaches in current historiography.
• Directed Reading in Modern History 1 and 2: encourages the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student.
• Perceptions of Central and Eastern Europe: an advanced historical study of the transformations in the perception of Central and Eastern Europe since the emergence of modern nationalism in the mid-nineteenth century.
• German Literary and Cultural Contexts: Turning Points (proficiency in German required): advanced knowledge of contexts that have shaped literature and culture in the German-speaking lands from the Middle Ages to the present day.
• Generations in Russian Literature and Culture (proficiency in Russian required): investigates issues in Russian culture and history through the lens of genealogy.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up to date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Conferences and events

The School of History hosts the Early Modern and Modern History (EMMH) Postgraduate Forum, which provides a space for postgraduates at all stages to present ideas, discuss research issues and find out about what their fellow historians are up to. 

The Centre for Russian, Soviet, Central and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews hosts an annual conference as well as a seminar series featuring guest speakers from around the world in a variety of different positions related to Eastern European studies.  

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).