Middle Eastern History (MLitt) 2016 entry
The MLitt in Middle Eastern History offers students the opportunity to explore in depth a variety of topics relating to the history and culture of this crucially significant region of the world.
Course type
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in History or Middle Eastern Studies.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £6,800
Overseas: £16,250
Application deadline
Application requirements
- CV
- sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language requirements certificate
- letter of intent (optional).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
If you are looking to start this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Middle Eastern History MLitt page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
Course highlights
- Students explore in depth a broad variety of historical topics including social, political, cultural and intellectual history of this crucially significant region of the world.
- Fields available to explore include Ayyubid and Mamluk Near East; Early Ottoman History; Mediaeval Armenia; Modern Arabic Literature; Sasanian and modern Iran.
- The course introduces students to methodological and analytical approaches, including Orientalism.
Teaching format
The MLitt in Middle Eastern History is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History. The programme comprises two semesters of taught components followed by submission of a 15,000-word final dissertation.
Teaching methods include classroom lectures, textbook work, language exercises, tutorials, individual reading projects and essay assignments. Class sizes range from individual supervision up to 12 students. The modules are assessed by coursework or a combination of coursework and examination.
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
- Themes in Middle Eastern History and Politics: looks at a variety of theoretical and disciplinary approaches, including Orientalism, and explores questions of nationalism, statehood and identity.
- Directed Reading in Middle Eastern History: designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor.
Optional modules
Students choose one of the following:
- Middle Eastern Historical Translation: serves as a bridge between the language modules and history modules and is assessed through the submission of an annotated translation from Persian to English.
- Arabic for Beginners 1 and Arabic for Beginners 2: enables students to read, write and converse in simple Modern Standard Arabic.
- Intermediate Arabic 1 and Intermediate Arabic 2: enables students to read and write Modern Standard Arabic to intermediate level with the aid of a dictionary, and to speak in standard Arabic on appropriate topics with a limited vocabulary.
- Persian for Beginners 1 and Persian for Beginners 2: teaches the skills of reception (reading and listening) and production (speaking and writing) in Persian.
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 Middle East History and Iranian Seminar Programme.
Funding
The School of History is pleased to be able to offer a number of competitive scholarships which contribute to the fees and maintenance for postgraduate study.
- Language Bursaries: enables students to undertake intensive language courses abroad during the summer before their programme begins.
- School of History MLitt Awards: offers the cash equivalent of one year's home fees and cannot be held in conjunction with other awards offering full fees and maintenance.
After the MLitt
Research degrees
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Middle Eastern History.
Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% reduction in postgraduate tuition fees for students who have graduated during the last three years and are now starting a postgraduate programme.
Arts and Humanities Research Council studentships
The AHRC offers studentships at RCUK rates for PhD research in a range of subjects including history.
Careers
History postgraduates go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, publishing, think tanks, government, law and teaching.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact
School of History
University of St Andrews
St Katharine’s Lodge
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9BA
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2907
Email: pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk
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).