Application deadline
Thursday 7 August 2025
Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
“The interdisciplinary Global Social and Political Thought programme has allowed me to consider global politics from various perspectives. The sense of community is exceptional – within the first week, I was already running into people I had met before and having stimulating conversations.”
- Seattle, USA
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The MLitt in Global Social and Political Thought welcomes applicants from a range of disciplinary backgrounds including, but not limited to:
- classics
- cultural studies
- divinity
- economics
- history
- international relations
- management
- media studies
- politics
- philosophy.
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
- A CV which should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
- A personal statement explaining:
- why you have applied for this course
- how it relates to your personal or professional ambitions
- how your academic and professional background show you have the skills needed to work effectively at postgraduate level
- A sample of your own, single-authored academic written work such as an extract from a previous project, essay, or undergraduate dissertation.
- Two original signed academic references on headed paper.
- 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
Global intellectual history – the transnational and comparative approach to the history of ideas – is a developing field of academic study. Studying for the MLitt in Global Social and Political Thought, you will explore social and political ideas from around the world, the connections that link global thought traditions, and the ways in which those traditions continue to influence our world.
Highlights
- Introduces key topics in global thought, providing a broad overview of the field.
- Transnational and comparative approach gives this programme a remarkable richness and depth compared with conventional intellectual history degrees.
- Interdisciplinary character helps you to develop a more rounded understanding of the questions and concepts of global thought.
- Prepares students for further academic study and research.
The MLitt in Global Social and Political Thought is an interdisciplinary degree with a global approach: it gives you an opportunity to study social and political thought, not just from Europe as is common in other universities, but also from societies across Asia, Africa and the Americas.
You will discover the key concepts in social and political thought from different regions of the world and learn to discuss how these regions have imagined and re-imagined themselves throughout history. This MLitt compares social and political thought that originated in different regions at various points in history, but you will also consider what connects these traditions and how different intellectual lineages form a shared commons for all of us.
You will develop your understanding of global intellectual history while being encouraged to question its sometimes arbitrary categories. You will also learn to look at theory beyond Eurocentric lenses. In doing so you will think critically about how an awareness of multiple theoretical traditions can help us to respond to global issues such as social injustice, economic exploitation, ideological conflicts, and environmental degradation.
Your learning will include key debates in contemporary global politics – from issues of democracy and rights within states to questions of international law and global justice between states. You will be trained to critically interpret political discussions through the optics of race, ethnicity, class, and gender. The MLitt asks how we can think in common with diverse societies and cultures to create a more democratic and equal world. You will be encouraged to consider the perspectives of the marginalised – the impoverished, the minority, or the refugee – and to think, in terms of practical solutions on the level of policy and research, about ways to democratise and subalternise global politics.
The MLitt is distinctively interdisciplinary. On this MLitt subject, experts from across the University provide their own disciplinary perspectives on key topics. Through research-led teaching from scholars working in subjects including history, international relations, classics, literary-cultural studies, and biology you will learn to analyse contemporary debates and compare how these are approached from anthropological, historical, environmental, and philosophical perspectives.
You will be encouraged to develop a more rounded, interdisciplinary understanding of global thought traditions and learn how to critically discuss these traditions from multiple disciplinary perspectives. You will also demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems by critical understanding, analysis, and synthesis.
The MLitt will be of particular interest if you intend to continue to doctoral research as it provides a broad-based programme of study culminating in a supervised research project.
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.
The MLitt is structured around four compulsory taught modules (one compulsory module per semester and a choice between two optional modules per semester):
Semester 1
- Global Concepts: introduces key concepts of political and social thought stemming from different world-regions and discusses how these regions have imagined and re-imagined themselves throughout history.
- Global Politics: encourages you to think, in terms of practical solutions on the level of policy and research, about how to democratise and subalternise global politics.
Semester 2
- Global Theory: considers how an awareness of multiple theoretical traditions can help us to respond to global issues such as social injustice, economic exploitation, ideological conflicts, and environmental degradation.
- Special Topic in Interdisciplinary Learning: allows you to advance your learning by undertaking a research project on an agreed topic and provides preparation for the end of degree project.
- Interdisciplinary Research Methods: provides an opportunity to apply interdisciplinary research methods to specific projects involving external partners and colleagues from across the University.
The final part of the MLitt is the end-of-degree project. This takes the form of a period of supervised research where you will explore a global thought topic in depth.
Through the project, you will show your ability to undertake sustained critical analysis, develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work that demonstrates a high level of understanding of your area of study.
You can choose to present your end-of-degree project in one of the following ways:
- a policy report that emphasises your ability to critically assess policy and make convincing recommendations for policy changes
- a multi-media portfolio that emphasises your ability to present global thought concepts in exciting and engaging ways
- a written dissertation that emphasises your ability to plan and execute academically rigorous research
If students choose not to complete the project 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.
Teaching
The taught modules are taken over two semesters – September to December (Semester 1) and January to May (Semester 2). The period from June to August is used to complete the end-of-degree project.
Each taught module will use teaching and learning methods appropriate to its aims. These may include seminars, workshops, lectures, tutorials, and independent study.
Assessment methods used may include essays, reports, presentations, practical exercises, reflective exercises, and examinations.
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.
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.
After your degree
Careers
The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The MLitt in Global Social and Political Thought provides subject knowledge and applied skills relevant to a range of career paths; it will be of particular interest if you intend to continue to doctoral research.
In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including:
- critical thinking and creativity
- analysis and appraisal
- problem solving and decision making
- personal leadership and project management
- interpersonal communication and team working.
The University also offers two awards for all students known as the Saints Skills Awards. You can develop a range of skills through the Skills Builder Award or learn how to best articulate them through the Skills Spotlight Award. These skills are highly valued by employers and the awards are a good addition to your CV.
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
St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment. One of the great strengths of a St Andrews research degree is the collegiate atmosphere which enables access to expertise beyond your formal supervisors and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.
Research students are supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies and are assessed by means of a substantial thesis of original research.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2032
- gradschool@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- Graduate School