Medieval History (MLitt) 2022 entry
The MLitt in Medieval History allows students to study a variety of topics in depth from across the medieval worlds, from Central Asia to the Atlantic and from Iceland to Egypt. This broad-ranging programme is designed to cater for students of differing career ambitions, areas of specialisation and previous training.
Key information
Course type
Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)
Course dates
- Start date: 5 September 2022
- End date: 30 September 2023
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
- A 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
Home: £10,395
Overseas: £21,390
Application deadline
Thursday 11 August 2022. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
- a personal statement
- a sample of your own, single-authored 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 Medieval History is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History.
Highlights
- The course benefits from an immense range of expertise from medieval scholars.
- 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.
- Study fosters fundamental research skills, including bibliography and source criticism.
- Develops writing skills for the presentation of extended research projects, including as training for doctoral study.
Teaching format
The programme comprises two semesters of taught modules followed by a three-month focused period for writing a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words.
The taught component comprises lectures, discussions and individual tutorials, with class sizes ranging from individual supervision up to 12 students. Assessment methods include classwork participation and essays.
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 2021–2022 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2022 entry.
Students must take the following compulsory modules:
- An Introduction to Palaeography with Codicological and Manuscript Studies (1 and 2): equips students to tackle the reading, transcription and editing of manuscripts up to c.1500.
- Sources and Source Criticism (1 and 2) addresses the interpretation and criticism of medieval sources.
- Special Topic in Medieval History (1 and 2): a detailed study of a medieval topic of the student's own choice which will include tutorials with a designated tutor.
You will also choose one of the following:
- Historical Sources and Skills (4 and 5): gives students a chance to acquire a technical skill crucial for their research plans. This will normally involve a one semester introduction to reading Latin for historians; training in other languages can also be arranged.
- An Arabic, French, German, Italian or Spanish language module at the level appropriate to the student's proficiency.
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 2022 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Conferences and events
The St Andrews Institute of Medieval Studies (SAIMS) hosts a postgraduate seminar series which is intended to provide a space for postgraduates at all stages to present ideas, discuss research issues and get some practical presentation experience.
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
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
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 2900
Email: pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
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.
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.