MLitt Medieval English

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.

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

• Supplementary application to School of English (Word)
  CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• Sample of your own, single-authored academic writing relevant to Medieval English (approximately 2,000 words)
• Two original signed academic references (on university headed paper) from your most recent degree-awarding institution.
  Academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

The MLitt in Medieval English is an intensive one-year taught programme run by the School of English. The course covers the medieval literature of England and Scotland from the first appearance of written English to the start of the Renaissance.  

Highlights

• The programme develops the various intellectual and practical skills necessary for research in the field of medieval literature. 
• Students will extend and deepen their knowledge of English and Scottish literature from the earliest Old English writings through to the close of the Middle Ages. 
• In addition to being a member of the School’s own Medieval and Renaissance Research Group, you will also become a member of the St Andrews Institute of Medieval Studies.  
• Expert palaeography classes are offered within the School, and students have access to unique manuscript materials provided by the University’s Special Collections. 

Compulsory

• Reading the Medieval Text: provides specific skills and areas of knowledge necessary for undertaking research in medieval literature, including palaeography and codicology, and scholarly editing.
• Old English: teaches essential skills for the study of Old English language and literature. Students may substitute another module for this, for example, another medieval language offered by the St Andrews Institute of Medieval Studies.
• Medieval Literature in Context I and Medieval Literature in Context 2:  teaches some central Old English, Middle English, and Older Scots texts in their wider cultural and temporal contexts.

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 specified date 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 (PGDip). 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.