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Additional required documents

Please note that the School of English cannot process applications until all additional documents have been received:

For MLitt applicants only:

A fully automated online application system is now in place.  To speed up response times, we would encourage prospective students to have the additional documents available for upload in either doc or pdf format at point of application. It is not possible to upload missing documents at a later time and these must instead be sent by email or in hard copy to Postgraduate Admissions, University of St Andrews, St Katherine's West, The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX.

Please be aware that posting hard-copy documents to accompany an on-line application will slow down the speed at which it is processed. It is best to upload all necessary documents at once if at all possible.

An automated reference request system is now in place and is triggered once your application has been submitted. You should therefore ensure that you correctly list your referees' email addresses in full in each application section and obtain permission in advance from your referees to include their email addresses in your application, advising them that they should upload references directly to us via the web link included within the automated email request.

The writing sample provided within your application is incredibly important in the assessment process. Ideally, this should be a piece of distinction-grade writing which you have recently completed at Honours level or equivalent, and must be on a theme related to your programme intention. To show applicants what consitutes a suitable essay submission, you may view a MLitt Applicant Critical Writing Sample (PDF, 5,024 KB)  which has very kindly been provided by a 2010-11 MLitt in Romantic/Victorian Studies student, Yi Wen Hon, as a guide. You may not use any part of this essay for any other purpose.

Please note that applicants should not provide personal statements. The Statement of Purpose Form, available as a download below, instead lays out the specific information required by the School of English in an easy to follow format.

  • CV/resume
  • PG Supplementary Application (Word, 38 KB) 
  • A critical writing sample using both primary and secondary sources (with footnotes and bibliography) of approximately 2,000 words which must be relevant to the proposed course of study.
    NOTE: Applicants for the MLitt in Creative Writing must also enclose a typed portfolio of original verse or prose (approximately 10 poems or around 10-15 pages of prose) and should state clearly within their personal statement which option classes they would be most interested in attending
  • Academic transcripts from previous university degrees (scanned certified copies including module grades; please do not send originals as they cannot be returned. Hard copies will be checked prior to admission if accepted.)
  • IELTS/CPE/TOEFL certificate (if applicable)
  • 2 academic references (directly from referees)
  • English Studies Module Selection Form 12-13 (Word, 142 KB) (English Studies applicants only)

 

For research applicants only:

Applications may be submitted either online via Prospects or in hard copy.  Requirements are different to those for MLitt applicants. The following additional documents should be posted to the Postgraduate Secretary, School of English, University of St Andrews, Castle House, The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AR, Scotland, UK

The writing sample provided within your application is incredibly important in the assessment process. Ideally, this should be a piece of distinction-grade writing which you have recently completed at Masters level or equivalent, and must be on a theme related to your programme intention.

Please note that applicants should not provide personal statements. The Statement of Purpose Form, available as a download below, instead lays out the specific information required by the School of English in an easy to follow format.

  • CV/resume
  • PG Supplementary Application (Word, 38 KB) 
  • 2 original signed references (hard copy, original signed references on headed paper are required)
  • A critical writing sample of approximately 2,000-5,000 words which must be relevant to the proposed course of study. Creative Writing applicants should also include a second sample of original writing (approx 10 poems or around 10-15 pages of prose)
  • Academic transcripts/degree certificates (certified copies only; please do not send originals as they cannot be returned)
  • PhD/MPhil research proposal (comprising title and 500-1,000 word proposal, including chapter outlines if preferred)
  • IELTS/CPE/TOEFL certificate (if applicable)

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