Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

“I love studying Medieval English in St Andrews. St Andrews' professors are some of the best researchers in their field and working with them has been truly amazing. My cohort is quite small, but I really enjoy the intimate atmosphere as this leads to fascinating, in-depth discussions which might not be possible in larger groups. My supervisors go to great lengths in their supervision, sharing their time to discuss the things I am interested in and offering their support; not only for my current research but also for future plans, such as PhD applications.”

Sophie
- Aachen, Germany

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

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.

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.

Course details

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.

Find out more about studying this course

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

Compulsory
Dissertation

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.

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.

Over two semesters, students will take taught modules that are conducted as seminars with some didactic classes and hands-on practical sessions.

Class sizes typically range from three to ten students.

During the course of the year, but with particular focus during the last four months, students will research and write a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choosing.

Assessment is conducted through coursework essays, assessed exercises and the final dissertation.

The School of English prides itself on its support of student work through detailed feedback and commentary.

Events

The School of English hosts research events through its four research groups:

The School of English normally also hosts an annual colloquium. Recent themes have been:

Reimagining Andrew Marvell: The Poet at 400
The English Legal Imaginary, 1500-1700
Bannockburn, 1914: Anniversary culture, war and national identity in Scotland
Opera and Fiction
World Literature and Dissent
(Un)Civil War?
John Keats and Romantic Scotland
Libraries in Literature
Devouring Men: Food, Masculinity and Power

The Postgraduate Forum offers postgraduates the opportunity to present research in progress to a group of their peers. 

Fees

Home
£12,030

Overseas
£25,900

Application fee

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.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The Scholarships and Funding area of the portal includes an online catalogue through which you can apply for available relevant awards. 

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

Graduates of the course go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, administration, management, publishing and teaching.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

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

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

Postgraduate research

What to do next

Information sessions

Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.

Contact us

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2668
Email: pgeng@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address: School of English
Castle House
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AL

School of English website

Medieval English (MLitt) 2025 entry