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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 25,900
Per course
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
1 years
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
History
Area of study
Humanities
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 25,900
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


The Book. History and Techniques of Analysis (MLitt) 2025 entry

Overview

Discover an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the book world from the inception of the printed book in the 15th century to the invention of the mechanised press in the 19th century.


Application Deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025


Starts

September 2025


Duration

One year full time


School

School of History


Fees

  • UK: £12,030
  • Rest of the world: £25,900

Why Study This Course?

  • You will acquire the technical skills required for rare book scholarship and curatorship.
  • The programme provides a deep understanding of key issues and methods in book history and familiarises you with the invention, development, spread and transformation of printing.
  • Circumstances allowing, you will be introduced to a range of libraries and rare book collections, members of the antiquarian book trade and digital techniques.
  • You will take part in our annual international book history conference, now in its 16th year.
  • You can undertake skills training in palaeography and either Latin or a modern foreign language.

Teaching

Delivered through fortnightly seminars and practical classes.


Class Sizes

Range from individual supervision up to eight students.


Dissertation

A 15,000-word project with regular support.


Assessment

Coursework only with no final exam.


Modules

Each module typically comprises of seminars held every two weeks or weekly two-hour seminars. Students can choose either four optional modules or two optional modules along with the Directed Reading module.


Compulsory

  • The Book in Early Modern Europe 1 and 2: provide students with a good understanding of key issues and methods in book history from 1445 to 1830.
  • Material Bibliography 1 and 2: cover the use of the book as historical evidence, and practical aspects of cataloguing and Special Collections work.

Optional

  • Directed Reading in Modern History: designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student prior to the dissertation.
  • Early Modern Documents and Sources: provides a wide-ranging introduction to the types of source material which researchers on the early modern period may encounter.
  • Latin for Early Modern History 1: provides three tiers of Latin teaching (beginners, intermediate, and advanced) for students with earlier or no experience.
  • Cataloguing Project: offers an independent book cataloguing project designed to encourage the development of skills related to bibliographical data gathering and analysis.
  • Paleography and Manuscript Studies: provides a wide-ranging introduction to reading and handling original source material of all types which researchers of the early modern period may encounter. The course will trace the development of mainstream European handwriting styles from the late 15th to the 18th centuries.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

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


  • librarianship
  • rare book trade
  • journalism
  • publishing
  • think tanks
  • government
  • law
  • teaching

Further Study

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


Why St Andrews?

Those taking this MLitt will automatically be enrolled in the St Andrews annual international book history conference.


The School of History also hosts an early modern history seminar which meets regularly throughout the teaching period from September to April. Papers are given by both St Andrews historians and invited guests.


Alumni

When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.


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.


Application Requirements

  • CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
  • Personal statement (optional)
  • Sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
  • Two original signed academic references
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.


Fees and Funding

  • UK: £12,030
  • Rest of the world: £25,900

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.


Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:


  • School of History MLitt Awards
  • Snowdon Trust Masters Scholarship
  • GREAT Scholarship
  • St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
  • St Leonard's funding opportunities
  • Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

History scholarships


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University of St. Andrews


Overview:

The University of St. Andrews is Scotland's first university, established in 1413. It is renowned for its academic excellence, particularly in postgraduate studies, and consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK.


Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services for students, including:

    MySaint:

    A student portal for accessing various resources and information.

    Moodle:

    An online learning platform for course materials and communication.

    Library:

    A well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

    MMS:

    A student support system for managing academic and personal matters.

    Accommodation:

    On-campus housing options for students.

    Fees and Funding:

    Information on tuition fees and financial aid opportunities.

    Scholarships:

    Various scholarships available for eligible students.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience, characterized by:

    Close-knit community:

    A strong sense of belonging fostered by the small town setting.

    Academically stimulating environment:

    Opportunities for intellectual growth and engagement.

    Active research:

    Involvement in cutting-edge research projects.

    International community:

    A diverse student body from around the world.

    Numerous extracurricular activities:

    Opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Key Reasons to Study There:

    Top-ranked university:

    Consistently ranked among the best in the UK.

    World-leading research:

    Access to cutting-edge research facilities and resources.

    Excellent postgraduate programs:

    A wide range of taught Masters degrees and online courses.

    Strong academic reputation:

    A prestigious institution with a long history of academic excellence.

    Supportive and welcoming community:

    A close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging.

Academic Programs:

The university offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:

    Arts and Divinity:

    Philosophy, History, English Literature, Theology, etc.

    Science:

    Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, etc.

    Social Sciences:

    Economics, Politics, Sociology, etc.

    Medicine:

    Medicine, Nursing, etc.

    Management:

    Business, Finance, Marketing, etc.

Other:

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