Cultural Identity Studies (MLitt) 2018 entry

The MLitt in Cultural Identity Studies offers students the opportunity to gain a theoretical grasp of different dimensions of cultural identity and explore the ways such dimensions are represented in one or more of the cultural traditions of the Arabic- and Persian-speaking world, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Latin America and Russia.

Applications for 2018 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

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 Cultural Identity 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 relevant discipline. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

One language taught at the School of Modern Languages (Arabic, French, Italian, German, Persian, Russian, Spanish) to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 7, Common European Framework Level B1, or equivalent.

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

Applications are accepted until shortly before teaching starts in September. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

  • CV
  • personal statement (optional)
  • sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
  • two original signed academic references
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

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Course information

The MLitt in Cultural Identity Studies is a one-year taught programme run by the Cultural Identity Studies Institute (CISI), part of the School of Modern Languages. The programme explores the contemporary problem of collective identities as modelled by and expressed in national culture.

Highlights

  • The programme draws on the literary and linguistic expertise of the School of Modern Languages as well as on perspectives of related academic disciplines of critical theory.
  • Students may choose to specialise in Arabic, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Russian.
  • Students receive training in traditional and new research techniques and have the opportunity to broaden their language portfolios.

Teaching format

The taught portion of the course consists of four compulsory modules and a range of optional modules held over two semesters. Classes are delivered through a mixture of lectures (with around 20 students) and seminars (which vary from individual one-to-one teaching up to ten students). Modules are assessed through coursework; there are no final exams for this programme.

You will spend the summer months focusing on researching and writing a final dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

  • 1.5 to 2-hour weekly seminars and lectures
  • 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 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.

  • Literary and Cultural Theory 1: explores a range of literary and cultural theories through which texts of all sorts may be conceptualised, criticised and analysed.
  • Problems of Culture and Identity 1: aims to introduce major aspects and dimensions of the question of cultural identity.
  • Problems of Culture and Identity 2: aims to explore further major aspects and dimensions of cultural identity.
  • Research and Professional Skills: introduces students to a range of skills which are essential to advanced researchers and key to many other non-academic workplaces.

This is a sample of the optional modules available for Cultural Identity Studies. Optional modules are subject to change each year, and some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

  • Apples and Oranges: Issues in Comparative Literature
  • The Contemporary Canon: Why Books Sell
  • Europe and America: Dialogues and Identity Formation in Text, Film and Theory
  • French Literary Revolutions
  • German Literary and Cultural Contexts
  • Italian Literary and Cultural Contexts
  • Literary and Cultural Theory 2
  • Middle Eastern Literary Cultural Contexts
  • Patterns in Hispanic Literature and Film
  • Research and Professional Skills
  • Specialised Research in Middle Eastern Literatures and Cultures, French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Russian Studies or Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on an agreed topic 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 are exit awards available that allow 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 a 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.

Conferences and events

The Cultural Identity Studies Institute (CISI) is a centre for the study of collective identities represented, expressed and modelled in the national cultures of the countries of continental Europe. It provides a forum for high-level research into cultural identity along with international conferences.

The School of Modern Languages hosts an annual seminar programme which promotes integration across the language departments. In addition, the School hosts a number of conferences and events, including guest speakers and workshops for the discussion of ideas and issues in a thought-provoking but relaxed and supportive environment. 

Find out more about current postgraduate seminars. 

Funding

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.

AHRC
The Arts and Humanities Research Council offers scholarships which cover fees and stipend at RCUK rates for students applying for research degrees in the Arts and Humanities in Scotland.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships. 

After the MLitt

Research degrees

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Cultural Identity Studies. 

Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. 

PhD in Modern Languages

Careers

The MLitt in Cultural Identity Studies prepares students to take on a variety of roles in careers such as:

  • social and educational administration
  • broadcasting
  • journalism
  • parliamentary research within a Scottish, UK and international framework. 

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 information

School of Modern Languages
University of St Andrews
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3670
Email: pgmodlangs@st-andrews.ac.uk

Modern Languages 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).