Program Overview

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History of Photography (MLitt) 2025 entry

Overview

Discover the origins of photography, contemporary practices and debates, modernist art photography, documentary approaches, photographic collections, and technological advances up to the digital era.

Application Deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Starts

September 2025

Duration

One year full time

School

School of Art History

Fees

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

Why Study This Course?

The MLitt offers a unique opportunity to study the history of photography as a specialised field of research.

Highlights

• This innovative degree is inspired by the important role played by St Andrews in the early history of the most influential visual medium of the modern era.
• Students are introduced to the theoretical and methodological challenges and debates that photography’s multiple functions and contexts have provoked since its invention.
• Classes make full use of the outstanding photographic collections of Special Collections, University Library and associated photographic archives.
• Small class sizes prioritise discussion with peers and interaction with the tutor.
• Students may apply to take part in exchange programmes at our partner institutions.

Flexible Study

Learn full-time (two semesters) or part-time (four semesters).

Class Sizes

Groups range from 4 to 8 students.

Dissertation

A 15,000-word project with regular support.

Assessment

Coursework including book reviews, critical bibliographies, visual analysis and object analysis essays, reading journals, and research papers.

Modules

History of Photography students choose three postgraduate-level course modules. One of the three modules may be selected from the undergraduate-level Honours programme, from the MLitt programme in Art History or from reading and bibliography modules on advisement.

Compulsory

• Issues in Photographic Criticism: provides an introduction to key writings and debates in the history of photographic criticism from the 1830s to the present day.

Optional

• Object Lessons in Photography
• The Documentary Impulse
• The 'New Vision' in Twentieth-Century European Photography

Dissertation

The final three months of your course will be focused on writing the final assessment piece, a 15,000-word dissertation. Across the two semesters, students participate in a series of skills workshops designed in part to help prepare for the dissertation element. 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 must be submitted by a date specified in August.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

Recent postgraduates in History of Photography are employed in:

• universities
• archives
• museums
• galleries
• auction houses
• web design
• publishing houses and magazines.

Further Study

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Art History Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option.

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

Why St Andrews?

The School organises postgraduate research seminars and occasional symposia. Each year they invite a number of artists and scholars to give lectures.

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. A degree in art history is recommended but is not an essential requirement. 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 or résumé
• personal statement (500 words)
• 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:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Art history scholarships