The MLitt in Modern History offers students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of key issues in the discipline by pursuing their studies at a conceptually advanced level. Postgraduate historians work intensively in a variety of subject areas while achieving a steady progression in core fields such as historiography and methodology.
The MLitt in Modern History is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History.
Highlights
The course provides an introduction to history and historiography for students interested in all branches of historical study.
The programme is designed to maximise student choice. Students can either specialise in a particular area (e.g. French History, German History, Transnational History, American History) or gain a broader introduction to the study of history at postgraduate level.
Students will explore the literature on a topic of individual interest under the guidance of an expert.
Teaching format
Teaching methods include seminars 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.
Modules
Each module typically comprises:
1.5 to 2-hour weekly seminars,
fortnightly tutorials for Directed Reading in Modern History,
100% coursework assessment.
Compulsory
Directed Reading in Modern History: designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through the concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student prior to the dissertation.
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.
Optional
Students choose one optional module. Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students.
Building Britain: The Construction and Deconstruction of Britishness since 1707: combines the study of topics such as the growth and decline of Britain's Empire, the two World Wars and the Welfare State with the more conceptual notion of the construction of British national identity.
Crossing Borders: European History in Transnational Perspective: focuses on late-modern European history and its historiography as well as the interconnection between Europe and non-European areas.
History of Modern Science: introduces students to core themes in the history of science from the scientific revolution onwards.
Key Issues in German Historiography: engages with some of the most hotly disputed issues in German history.
Perceptions of Central and Eastern Europe: examines perceptions of Central and Eastern Europe which have undergone significant transformation since the emergence of modern nationalism in the mid-19th century.
Themes in American History: exposes students to several key debates in American historiography by focusing on a series of issues that have especially preoccupied scholars in the field.
Themes and Debates in Modern French History: explores key themes in French history and introduces students to some important historiographical and methodological issues.
Dissertation
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 2019 entry.
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.
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.
The qualifications listed are indicative of 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.
Application requirements
CV,
personal statement (optional),
a 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).
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.
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.
