Central and Eastern European Studies (MLitt) 2018 entry

The MLitt in Central and Eastern European Studies offers an interdisciplinary study of the eastern half of the European Union, combining the fields of history, politics, international relations, languages and literature, film studies and art to study this culturally rich and diverse region.

This course is no longer running in September 2018. You may be interested in the full list of programmes that are running in 2018. 

Course type

Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)

Course dates

  • Start date: 10 September 2018
  • End date: 30 September 2019

If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Central and Eastern European Studies page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

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: £8,500
Overseas: £17,600

Application deadline

This course is not running in September 2018.

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.

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Course information

The MLitt in Central and Eastern European Studies is an interdisciplinary programme run by the School of History in collaboration with the Schools of International Relations, Modern Languages, Art History, and the Department of Film Studies.

Highlights

  • Modules are wide-ranging and cover areas of international relations, history, art history and film studies, as well as Russian language and literature.
  • The School of History has a competitive Language Bursary Scheme in which students may apply to spend the summer preceding the taught element acquiring an appropriate Eastern European language.
  • Students have the option of taking a Directed Reading module (tailored individual course of study) in order to engage with a research field of specific individual interest with the support of a specialist member of staff.

Teaching format

Over the course of two semesters, students will take four modules. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures 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 which is for the 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.

You will take one of the following modules as your compulsory module.

  • History in the Making: Theories, Approaches and Practice (1 and 2): examines the development of history-writing and historical research since the Enlightenment, and the emergence of fields, trends and new approaches in current historiography
  • Masterclass in Central and East European Studies (1 and 2): provides a basic grounding in the history of modern and contemporary Central and Eastern Europe (including Russia).

Optional modules will be chosen in consultation with staff at the beginning of the programme. Typically, students choose two modules from the following:

  • Central and Eastern Europe since 1945: traces the pattern of Soviet domination of Eastern Europe from the end of the Second World War through an examination of both the common and individual responses to this in the nations concerned.
  • Conflicts, Security and Democracy in the Greater Caucasus: examines one of the world’s most fascinating yet least understood regions, with particular attention to the many wars in the Caucasus.
  • Directed Reading in Modern History 1 and 2: encourages the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student.
  • Generations in Russian Literature and Culture (proficiency in Russian required): investigates issues in Russian culture and history through the lens of genealogy.
  • German Literary and Cultural Contexts: Turning Points (proficiency in German required): advanced knowledge of contexts that have shaped literature and culture in the German-speaking lands from the Middle Ages to the present day.
  • History in the Making: Theories, Approaches and Practice (whole year): examines the development of history-writing and historical research since the Enlightenment, and the emergence of fields, trends and new approaches in current historiography.
  • History of Imperial Russia, 1815-1917: examines the last one hundred years of Imperial rule from political, social, economic and cultural perspectives.
  • Perceptions of Central and Eastern Europe: an advanced historical study of the transformations in the perception of Central and Eastern Europe since the emergence of modern nationalism in the mid-nineteenth century.
  • The Soviet Union (1917-1991): studies the interlinked political, ideological, social, economic and cultural themes of the Soviet Union as well as its role on the international stage.
  • Themes in Russian 19th- and 20th-Century Intellectual History: examines developments in intellectual history through the lens of Russia's relations with Western Europe.

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 Certificate or 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 PGCert or PGDip instead of an MLitt.


The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

 

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Conferences and events

The School of History hosts the Early Modern and Modern History (EMMH) Postgraduate Forum, which provides a space for postgraduates at all stages to present ideas, discuss research issues and find out about what their fellow historians are up to. 

The Centre for Russian, Soviet, Central and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews hosts a year-long seminar series featuring guest speakers from around the world in a variety of different positions related to Eastern European studies.  

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.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships. 

After the MLitt

Research degrees

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Central and Eastern European 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% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Arts and Humanities Research Council studentships
The AHRC offers studentships at Research Councils UK rates for PhD research in a range of subjects including history.

PhD in 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 in building their employability skills.

Contact information

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

History website

Policies

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).