Medieval History MLitt

Program Overview

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Medieval History (MLitt) 2025 entry

Overview

Gain a deep understanding of a variety of topics across the medieval worlds, from Central Asia to the Atlantic and from Iceland to Egypt.

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?

• The course benefits from an immense range of expertise from medieval 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

Delivered through lectures, discussions and individual tutorials.

Class Sizes

Ranging from individual supervision up to 12 students.

Assessment

A mix of classwork participation and essays.

Modules

Students will take all compulsory modules and choose one optional module.

Compulsory

• Sources and Source Criticism (1 and 2): which address the interpretation and criticism of medieval sources.

Optional

You will also choose one of the following:

• An Introduction to Palaeography with Codicological and Manuscript Studies (1 and 2): equip students to tackle the reading, transcription and editing of manuscripts up to c.1500.
• Historical Sources and Skills (4 and 5): give 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.
• Special Topic in Medieval History (1 and 2): a detailed study of a medieval topic of the student's own choice which will include tutorials with a designated tutor.
• With permission from the programme convenor, students may take 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.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

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

• journalism
• publishing
• think tanks
• government
• law
• teaching.

Further Study

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

Why St Andrews?

The St Andrews Institute of Medieval Studies (SAIMS) hosts a postgraduate seminar series which is intended to provide a space for postgraduates at all stages to present ideas, discuss research issues and get some practical presentation experience.

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 or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• a personal statement
• a 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)

Whenever it is relevant to your programme and possible, the School makes available competitive language bursaries for training prior to the start of an MLitt programme. To find out more, please contact as early as possible.

History scholarships