Scottish History MA (Hons)
2017 entry

The MA (Hons) in Scottish History is an ideal introduction to understanding Scotland’s unique historical development and place in the wider world. By studying Scottish History, you will get a grounding in the history of the country, adding breadth and depth to your experience living, studying and working in Scotland.

In your studies, you will cover a wide chronological range of periods from the Dark Ages to Modern Scotland. You will be exposed to issues of nation building, loss of sovereignty, the tensions between core and periphery, and the reclamation of nationhood.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

V212

Course type

Master of Arts (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB, normally including History.
GCE A-Levels AAA, normally including History.
IB points 38, including HL6 in History.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No prior knowledge of Scottish History is necessary, but experience in studying general History to advanced secondary school level is normally expected.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Arts minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.  

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty.

Find out more about Faculty of Arts entry requirements.

Course information

The MA (Hons) in Scottish History is a four-year course run by the School of History. During your studies, you will learn to approach Scottish History from a number of different angles, exploring issues such as invasions, rivalries, lordship, tyranny, Enlightenment, social problems and culture, past and present.

In the first two years, you will have the opportunity to study from a broad chronological span, from antiquity to the present day. You will study how economic, social and political issues and events have fundamentally shaped modern Scottish society, and gain valuable insight into ongoing tensions within the Union and the nature of modern Scottish identity.

The skills you gain in analysing original and secondary source materials will prepare you to dive deeper into specialist topics during your third and fourth years.

Breadth of knowledge and perspective are highly encouraged, and all students are expected to take some modules in other subject areas, for example English, Art History or Geography.  

Graduates in Scottish History from St Andrews can expect to have developed an appreciation for this country’s history, and be able to make connections across different time periods and between different cultures.

Find out more about studying History at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Scottish History alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take one Scottish History module per semester during your first two years, and two modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year module:

Students will also choose one module from the following:

Students will take the following compulsory second-year module:

  • Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1500-2000): provides an introduction to how and why the British nation state evolved from the separate kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland and how and why it has survived over the last three centuries.

Students will also choose one module from the following:

If you decide to take Scottish History in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules ranging from the Picts and Vikings to modern Scottish politics and society.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

  • Mediaeval St Andrews
  • Kingship and Tyranny: Scotland in the Age of Reform 1513-1603
  • Culture and Society in Renaissance Scotland
  • End of the Middle Ages? Scotland and England in the Fifteenth Century
  • The Scottish Enlightenment
  • Work and Politics in Modern Scotland.

Some modules at Honours level are intended to build your portfolio and provide you with career experience. For example, the Recording the Past modules allow you to submit a multimedia historical project in the form of a radio programme, video documentary, website or other appropriate medium.

In fourth year, students also undertake a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.

The modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. A full list of all modules currently available can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

Teaching at sub-honours level is delivered primarily through lectures (100 to 200 students) and small group tutorials (5 to 7 students). Lectures are given by all members of the School, enabling students to hear active researchers in each field talk about their specialism. Tutorials are an opportunity for students to discuss and develop their thinking in a small and friendly atmosphere, guided by a professional expert. 

Teaching at Honours level moves away from large group lecturing. Students meet in groups of about 5 to 15 students for longer classes in which they are expected to participate fully. 

In addition to lectures and tutorials, students are expected to undertake substantial independent, but guided, work outside of the classroom.

Assessment

Almost all of the modules in Scottish History are assessed by a balanced combination of coursework and examination. Coursework includes:

  • research essays
  • class presentations
  • source analysis.

Classroom examinations often incorporate essays and source exercises. In addition, most modules include a written examination held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2017 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £20,570

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation in 2017.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Faculty of Arts scholarships

The Dr Lawrence M Wodehouse Scholarship provides financial assistance for students studying in the Faculty of Arts who are academically gifted but would otherwise struggle with the cost of studying at St Andrews.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take Scottish History as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects:

  • Classical Studies
  • English
  • Film Studies
  • Geography
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Russian
  • Social Anthropology
  • Spanish

Your future

Careers

History students at St Andrews have traditionally moved into a very wide range of careers after graduating. Some continue their academic careers via a postgraduate training degree to doctoral study either in St Andrews or at another university. Other students have often progressed to postgraduate qualifications in teaching, law or accountancy.

Recent Scottish History graduates have found careers in:

  • financial services
  • social work
  • education
  • museums and galleries
  • libraries
  • Scottish politics.

A degree in Scottish History will provide you with transferable skills that will equip you for a future career in many sectors. These skills include:

  • time management
  • project planning
  • group work
  • oral and written expression
  • focused research and presentation.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Scottish History may be interested in joining the following student societies:

  • Celtic Society embraces all things Scottish and specialises in trips to the Highlands, pub socials, traditional Burns suppers, and ceilidhs.
  • Archaeological Society is for those interested in anything from ancient weaponry to Indiana Jones. The society organises bi-weekly meetings (featuring guest speakers), social events, movie nights, and day trips to archaeological sites.
  • History Society hosts talks with guest speakers on a variety of topics as well as social events including pub nights, garden parties and trips abroad.

The School of History occupies three sites all within a few minutes’ walk of each other at the heart of the historic town of St Andrews. Students will attend tutorials, seminars and individual meetings with tutors in these buildings, while larger lectures are located in nearby buildings. The School of History sites are:

  • St Katharine’s Lodge, a 19th-century former school near the seafront
  • New Arts Building, a modern building with lecture classrooms and study spaces
  • St John’s House, located on South Street.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland. Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of History
University of St Andrews
St Katharine’s Lodge
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9BA

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2914
Email: scothist@st-andrews.ac.uk

History website