Legal and Constitutional Studies (PGDip/MLitt) 2017 entry
The PGDip/MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies is an interdisciplinary programme in which students can construct an individually tailored degree with a primary focus in legal history or international law, or they can pursue an integrated, interdisciplinary, degree.
Course type
Postgraduate; leading to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or a Master of Letters (MLitt)
Course duration
Nine months full time (PGDip); one year full time or two years part time (MLitt)
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 Legal and Constitutional Studies MLitt page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
The PGDip/MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies is an interdisciplinary programme run jointly by the Schools of History and International Relations.
Highlights
- Students have the opportunity to work on an individual and small-group basis with internationally leading scholars in the fields of legal, constitutional and historical research.
- The flexible nature of the programme makes it suitable both for those wishing to go on to doctoral research and for those wishing only to take a year’s specialist study.
- The compulsory modules equip students with knowledge of different theoretical approaches to law, legal history and constitutionalism, using the past to interrogate and investigate current issues and controversies.
Teaching format
Over two semesters, students take six modules taught through a range of group seminars, workshops, one-to-one discussion and supervised independent research projects. The specialist modules are designed to be flexible enough to enable students to choose their own areas of in-depth study and include individually tailored research training and guidance. Module assessment comprises coursework; there are no final exams for this programme.
MLitt students will research and write a 15,000-word dissertation as their final assessment piece.
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 which is for the 2016–2017 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.
Semester 1 modules
- The Idea of Law: introduces fundamental concepts, questions and analytical frameworks relevant to legal, historical and constitutional research.
one of:
- Approaches to Legal History: a grounding in particularly influential authors and works on the history of law.
- Approaches to International Law: underlying philosophical issues arising from the nature and practice of international law.
and one of:
- Special Topic in Legal and Constitutional Studies 1: detailed research and tuition within a specialised field of choice.
- Latin for Mediaeval Studies: an introduction to Latin language for the study of the Middle Ages.
- Sources and Source Criticism: an introduction to mediaeval sources, suitable for those intending to work on medieval legal history.
Semester 2 modules
- Comparative Studies in Legal and Constitutional Research: a forum for students to develop, present and write on a particular field or topic, drawing on methodological ideas from Semester 1 modules.
- Special Topic in Legal and Constitutional Studies 2: provides students with the opportunity for detailed research and tuition within a specialised field of their choice.
and one of:
- Comparative Studies in Legal History: a forum for students to develop, present and write on a particular field or topic.
- Global Constitutionalism: fundamental training for students specialising in constitutionalism.
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. Students may apply to undertake the PGDip instead of the MLitt from the outset of their application.
Conferences and events
The Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research at St Andrews hosts a number of reading groups, seminars and lectures, including visiting speakers and cross-discipline presentations, on legal and constitutional research and ideas.
Funding
ILCR MLitt scholarship
The Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research (ILCR) is offering £5,000 scholarships on the basis of academic merit for students applying for the MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies.
After the MLitt
Research degrees
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.
The University of St Andrews’ Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship worth £20,000 per annum, tenable for up to three years.
Careers
Legal and Constitutional Studies is designed to prepare students for work beyond the MLitt: doctoral research within the field; study for a law degree; and employment in areas more broadly related to law, legal history, global constitutionalism and international relations.
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).