Intellectual History (MLitt) 2017 entry
The MLitt in Intellectual History is an interdisciplinary programme which provides students with a broad knowledge of the latest intellectual-historical research, encompassing politics, religion, philosophy, science, international relations, economics and literature.
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 a subject-related area. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £7,500
Overseas: £17,090
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 started this programme in 2016, you can find information about 2016 entry on the 2016 Intellectual History MLitt page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
The MLitt in Intellectual History is an interdisciplinary taught postgraduate programme. The course offers three compulsory modules exploring major historical, historiographical, and methodological aspects of intellectual history alongside an individually-tailored programme of directed reading.
Highlights
- This interdisciplinary programme brings together experts from across the University with a common interest in researching and contextualising key ideas in their subject areas.
- Students learn to treat past ideas as historical phenomena, as well as assess the meanings of these ideas as intended by their authors, and in contexts beyond those their authors may have foreseen.
- The course covers the different kinds of intellectual history being practised today, and the relationship between intellectual history and philosophy, literature and literary studies, international relations, law, politics, economics and theology.
Teaching format
The modules are taught through seminars and fortnightly tutorials, with class sizes ranging 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
Each module typically comprises:
- seminars ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours per week
- fortnightly tutorial sessions for directed reading
- 100% coursework assessment
For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2016–2017 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.
Compulsory modules
- Turning Points in the History of Ideas: investigates a series of historical moments of intellectual change by directly engaging with the major political, philosophical, and scientific writings of different eras.
- Theory and Practices of Intellectual History: provides a methodological introduction to intellectual history by surveying how it has been practised in the last half century.
- Current Controversies in Intellectual History: enables students to scrutinise central historiographical disputes that continue to determine the nature and practice of intellectual history.
- Directed Reading (Masterclass in Intellectual History): offers a directed reading project designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student.
The modules listed ran in the academic year 2016–2017 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2017 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 St Andrews Institute of Intellectual History hosts an ever-widening series of lectures, seminars and conferences, all of which are open to the public.
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 Intellectual 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).