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Scottish Historical Studies (MLitt) 2020 entry

The MLitt in Scottish Historical Studies offers students the opportunity to explore Scotland's long-term development over time and to focus on more specific topics of interest under the guidance of renowned experts in the field.

Applications for 2020 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: 7 September 2020
  • End date: 30 September 2021

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

One year full time

Entry requirements

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: £9,450
Overseas: £19,400

Application deadline

Wednesday 12 August 2020. 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.

Course information

The MLitt in Scottish Historical Studies is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History.

Highlights

  • Modules explore the history of historical writing in Scotland and the relationship between the Scottish past and the Scottish present.
  • Focused attention upon one of three time periods develops the understanding and skills required to pursue independent research.
  • Students have the opportunity to pursue more intensive study of the literature of a topic of their choice under the guidance of an expert supervisor.

Teaching format

Over two semesters, students complete two compulsory modules and two optional modules on a range of themes and topics in Scottish history. The compulsory modules offer a unique insight into the development of historical writing in Scotland from the Middle Ages to the present and explore the complex relationships between interpretations of the Scottish past and their uses in the present.

Teaching is primarily by seminars of six to eight students and one-to-one tutorials. 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 2019–2020 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2020 entry.

  • Directed Reading in Scottish History: designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student.
  • Scotland’s Pasts: Writing Scotland from the Middle Ages to the Present (1 and 2): gives students a thorough grounding in the history of historical writing in Scotland.

Students choose two optional modules. Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

  • Building Britain: The Construction and Deconstruction of Britishness since 1707: explores the concept of 'Britishness' and its construction and deconstruction, from 1707 to 2000.
  • Historical Sources and Skills (various modules): gives students a chance to focus on two technical skills from the following: bibliography; palaeography; language training; archaeology; archive studies; quantitative and computing skills for historians.
  • Living with the Lion: Themes in the Study of Medieval Scotland: explores key themes and texts in the study of medieval Scotland, particularly concerning elite culture and the power structures of the kingdom.
  • Religion and Identity in Early Modern Britain: explores the significance of the Reformation in reshaping the ways in which Scots and Englishmen perceived themselves as members of distinct Protestant churches and communities in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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).

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.


The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2020 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Conferences and events

The Institute of Scottish Historical Research hosts a research seminar series and annual reading weekend. 

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

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. 

After the MLitt

Research degrees

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

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

PhD in History

Careers

History postgraduates go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including:

  • journalism
  • publishing
  • think tanks
  • government
  • law
  • 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

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).

Study at St Andrews

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