Why study this course?
- Gain an excellent foundation for further research on women writers and the relationship between gender and literature.
- Consider broader historical and contemporary debates in feminism and gender studies, and examine the diversity of women’s literary practices across a range of centuries and genres.
- Participate in the School of English's wider research culture through the School's period-based research groups, colloquia and postgraduate forum.
Find out about studying this course.
Teaching
Delivered through weekly classes and seminars, of two hours each.
Class sizes
Maximum class size of 15 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with regular support.
Assessment
A mix of written essays and a short oral presentation.
Modules
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
What it will lead to
Careers
Graduates of the course go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching.
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
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 Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Women, Writing and Gender.
Why St Andrews?
Alumni
As a graduate of St Andrews, you become part of a prestigious and globally connected alumni community. This lifelong membership offers access to career services, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources. Engaging with the University's worldwide alumni network ensures you remain connected to St Andrews, no matter where your career takes you.
Events
The School of English hosts research events through its four research groups:
- Creative Writing
- 18th Century, Romantic and Victorian
- Medieval and Renaissance
- Modern and Contemporary
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.
“After working at a non-profit for a few years, I came to the Women, Writing and Gender programme hoping to find a pathway back into academia and the time to explore my abiding interests in English literature and feminist theory. My studies in the English Department met and far exceeded these expectations. While working through four centuries of women’s writing in one year is no minor task, the care and close attention of a world-class faculty and the support of a small student cohort ensured that every challenge I faced yielded, in time, great rewards.”
- Minnesota, USA
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If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
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 of approximately 2,000 words on a relevant literature topic
- 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.
Fees and funding
- UK: £12,030
- Rest of the world: £25,900
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.
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:
Contact us
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 14 March 2025
