Scottish Historical Studies (MLitt) 2016 entry
The MLitt in Scottish Historical Studies offers students the opportunity to explore Scotland's long term development over time and to focus on more specific topics of interest under the guidance of renowned experts in the field.
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 Scottish History. 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
- a 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 Scottish Historical Studies MLitt page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
Course highlights
- Focused attention upon one of three time periods develops the understanding and skills required to pursue independent research.
- Supplementary (not for credit) classes are available in palaeography and languages.
- Students have the opportunity to pursue more intensive study of the literature of a topic of their choice under the guidance of an expert supervisor.
Teaching format
The MLitt in Scottish Historical Studies is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History. Over two semesters, students complete three compulsory modules and one optional module.
Teaching methods include seminars 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
- Scotland’s Pasts: Writing Scotland from the Middle Ages to the Present (1 and 2): gives students a thorough grounding in the history of historical writing in Scotland.
- Directed Reading in Scottish History: designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student.
Optional modules
Students choose one optional module. Optional modules are subject to change each year, and attendance may be limited (see the University’s position on curriculum development).
- Historical Sources and Skills: gives students a chance to focus on two technical skills from the following: bibliography; palaeography; language training; archaeology; archive studies; quantitative and computing skills for historians.
- Living with the Lion: Themes in the Study of Mediaeval Scotland: explores key themes and texts in the study of mediaeval Scotland, particularly concerning elite culture and the power structures of the kingdom.
- Religion and Identity in Early Modern Britain: explores the significance of the Reformation in reshaping the ways in which Scots and Englishmen perceived themselves in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
- Building Britain: The Construction and Deconstruction of Britishness, 1707-2000: explores the concept of 'Britishness', its construction and deconstruction, from 1707 to 2000.
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 Institute of Scottish Historical Research (ISHR) hosts a research seminar series.
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 Scottish Historical Studies.
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).