Master in Legal and Constitutional Studies

The PGDip/MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies is an interdisciplinary programme in which students can construct an individually tailored degree with a primary focus in legal history or international law, or they can pursue an integrated, interdisciplinary, degree.

The PGDip and MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies are interdisciplinary programmes run jointly by the Schools of History and International Relations.

Highlights

• Students have the opportunity to work on an individual and small-group basis with internationally leading scholars in the fields of legal, constitutional and historical research.
• 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.
• The compulsory modules equip students with knowledge of different theoretical approaches to law, legal history and constitutionalism, using the past to interrogate and investigate current issues and controversies.

Teaching format

Over two semesters, students take six modules taught through a range of group seminars, workshops, one-to-one discussions and supervised independent research projects. The specialist modules are designed to be flexible enough to enable students to choose their own areas of in-depth study and include individually tailored research training and guidance. Module assessment comprises coursework; there are no final exams for this programme.

MLitt students will research and write a 15,000-word dissertation as their final assessment piece.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment.

Semester 1

In the first semester, you will take the following compulsory module:

• The Idea of Law: introduces fundamental concepts, questions and analytical frameworks relevant to legal, historical and constitutional research.

You will also choose two additional modules from the lists below. These modules may be subject to a maximum number of participants (students will be asked to indicate their first and second choices).

You will choose one of the following:

• Approaches to Legal History: a grounding in particularly influential authors and works on the history of law.
• Approaches to International Law: underlying philosophical issues arising from the nature and practice of international law.

and one of:

• Special Topic in Legal and Constitutional Studies 1 (tailored individual course of study): detailed research and tuition within a specialised field of choice.
• Sources and Source Criticism: an introduction to mediaeval sources, suitable for those intending to work on medieval legal history.

The structure and modules of Semester 1 may be subject to change for 2019 entry.

Semester 2

In the second semester, you will take the following compulsory module:

• Comparative Studies in Legal and Constitutional Research: a forum for students to develop, present and write on a particular field or topic, drawing on methodological ideas from Semester 1 modules.
• Special Topic in Legal and Constitutional Studies 2: provides students with the opportunity for detailed research and tuition within a specialised field of their choice.

You will also choose one additional module from the list below. These modules may be subject to a maximum number of participants (students will be asked to indicate their first and second choices).

You will choose one of the following:

• Comparative Studies in Legal History: a forum for students to develop, present and write on a particular field or topic.
• Global Constitutionalism: fundamental training for students specialising in constitutionalism.

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. Students may apply to undertake the PGDip instead of the MLitt from the outset of their application.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2019 entry.

Careers

Legal and Constitutional Studies is designed to prepare students for work beyond the MLitt: doctoral research within the field; study for a law degree; and employment in areas more broadly related to law, legal history, global constitutionalism and international relations.

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

ILCR MLitt scholarship

The Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research (ILCR) intends to offer MLitt scholarships on the basis of academic merit for students applying for the MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies.

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.