Master in Mediaeval History

The MLitt in Mediaeval History allows students to study a variety of topics in depth from across the mediaeval worlds, both East and West, from Late Antiquity through to the Later Middle Ages. This broad-ranging programme is designed to cater for students of differing career ambitions, areas of specialisation and previous training.

The MLitt in Mediaeval History is a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of History.

Highlights

• The course benefits from an immense range of expertise from mediaeval 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.

Compulsory

Students must take the following compulsory modules:

• An Introduction to Paleography 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): interpretation and criticism of mediaeval sources.
• Special Topic in Mediaeval History (1 and 2): a detailed study of a mediaeval topic of the student's own choice which will include tutorials with a designated tutor.

and you will choose either:

• Historical Sources and Skills (1 and 2): 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, or
• An Arabic, French, German, Italian or Spanish language module at the level appropriate to the student's proficiency.

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.