Postgraduate student experiences
MLitt Students
Being in St Andrews was not only beneficial because of the fantastic academic learning opportunities I had, but also because of the incredible experiences and friends I have made in the international group of the Post Graduates. I was pleasantly surprised by the energetic student involvement in academic matters and policy, which gives students a voice and a strong sense of community. Moreover, the lively pub- and coffeehouse culture in St Andrews makes it easy to find and foster friendships.
Eva Czarniecki
MLitt Romantic/Victorian Studies 2009-10
My year studying poetry on the Creative Writing MLitt at St Andrews gave me the space I wanted to concentrate on my own writing – and the chance to get feedback on what I’d written from some of the UK’s top contemporary poets. I found the tutors friendly, genuine and inspirational. Learning from them was a lot of fun and really developed my poetic technique as well as my wider understanding of poetry; I enjoyed the balance of technical and academic elements in the course. All in all, I feel it’s moved my writing on to the next level and, as a bonus, I got to live in a beautiful place and made some great new friends. Who could ask for more?
Helen Evans
MLitt Creative Writing (Poetry) 2009-10
My MLitt at St. Andrews was a year I won't forget! Where else in the world can you learn from the best in Fiction while looking out over the North Sea, in the town that Golf calls home? I loved every minute of my time in St. Andrews, from reading by Castle Sands to having a Pimm's at The Westport with friends!
Jackie Kalb
MLitt CW (fiction) 2009-10
Within one year, the Women, Writing and Gender programme covered over 400 years of women's writing. We were introduced to unfamiliar names and reunited with old favourites. More than 10 ‘big name’ lecturers took the reins and their passion for their respective topics ignited our own enthusiasm and allowed for engaging class discussions. All of this occured within the welcoming bubble of the English Postgraduate community; I found myself involved in intense academic debates and forming support networks with other MLitt students as well as PhD candidates. And, of course, it didn't hurt that we celebrated each submitted essay with cupcakes and a bottle of champagne!
Sarah Kniesler
MLitt in Women, Writing and Gender 2009-10
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At St Andrews, you get access to the time, insight and feedback of the tremendous writers who teach here, and they are generous with it. You will discuss your own work and the work of published writers. You'll take it apart and see how it works, and that will help you improve your own writing. But it's not only that which makes St Andrews a wonderful place to study. It's the respect for writing -- and awe in the face of what it can accomplish -- that is felt by every member of the English Department. They make you feel like writing matters, and in a world where money seems to matter more and more and the arts matter less and less, that is crucially important. You won't be coddled. If something isn't working, they'll tell you. But that's how you get better. (And they'll tell you nicely, which doesn't hurt, either.) In short, you'll be treated like a real writer. Isn't that the best thing in the world?
Christian Livermore
MLitt Creative Writing (Prose) 2011-12
You know you are in St Andrews when your professor leaves for the week to meet the Queen.
Devon Moody
MLitt Creative Writing (Poetry) 2009-10
The Mlitt in Creative Writing at St. Andrews has been a great experience. It’s given me the opportunity to dedicate a year of my life to writing stories. I’ve been introduced to writers I’ve never read before, who I would never have known of, were it not for my tutors. These writers have given inspiration, and set standards for our class. Looking back over past work I can already see the positive impact that the course has had on my writing. The School of English is a warm environment where you feel you can always ask for help. The Mlitt has given me clear and structured guidance that I will carry with me forever.
Anna Stewart
MLitt Creative Writing (Fiction) 2009-10
I was more than a little nervous about starting my MLitt, as I'd been away from education for 8 years. The English department at St Andrews, however, is a lovely place to be studying. In a year I feel that my writing has improved, I've met some brilliant people, and read poets I might never have found otherwise. Perhaps most importantly, the MLitt gave me the space and time to think, and it made me write.
It will go too fast. Soak it up.
Sarah Stewart
MLitt Creative Writing (Fiction) 2010-11
Coming to St. Andrews University has been an excellent choice. Being part of the School of English has given me the chance to work with so-called ‘big names’ in a close, familiar manner. The Renaissance group (I did an M.Litt. in Shakespeare Studies) is made up of world-class scholars who somehow find time to be excellent teachers as well. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, it was a real joy being surrounded by fellow post-grad students with such passion for their several subjects.
Peter van Dolen
MLitt in Shakespeare Studies 2009-10
PhD Students
A poet's hope: to be
like some valley cheese,
local, but prized elsewhere.
(Auden)
Robert Boyle
Current PhD student and a graduate of the MLitt in Creative Writing
Studying in a foreign country can be difficult and challenging. New faces accompany new sounds, new foods, and new experiences. But, the School of English here at St Andrews has a special sense of community that can offer the international student a place to anchor in while discovering his or her new Scottish home. The collegial feeling among the postgraduate English community will help you find everything from the perfect cup of coffee in town to listening ears for conference papers. I wouldn’t choose to be a postgraduate student anywhere else.
Katherine Cooper
Current PhD student
English education at St Andrews has everything: quality resources, a more than comfortable learning environment, and first-rate faculty and staff keen to challenge and encourage. The city itself is the most beautiful place one could hope to live and study.
Jessica De Santa
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt in Women, Writing and Gender
Although it was extremely hard work I felt thoroughly supported by the course tutors. The course was very well structured and covered a vast range of writers. Doing the MLitt has given me a perfect background from which to launch myself into a PhD.
Take advantage of North Point happy hours to ease the early mornings in the office...
Alexandra Drayton
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt in Romantic Studies
English at St Andrews is fantastic and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time within the School over the last eight years, both as a student and a teaching assistant.
Victoria Fairclough
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt in Romantic Studies
I’ve loved studying at the University of St Andrews. Academics are top-notch, professors are friendly and willing to help, and the scenery cannot be beaten.
Will Gray
Current PhD student
As an early modernist, one could not hope for an environment providing a better calibre and community of staff and students in which to explore and develop one’s interests. Having completed the Shakespeare Studies MLitt here, despite not being a Shakespearean as such, the decision to stay on for my PhD to work with Professors Hutson and Rhodes was not only the most obvious, but also the most advantageous. I certainly do not regret it.
Rachel Holmes
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt in Shakespeare Studies 2008-09
I’ve benefited greatly from studying at St Andrews – the supervision is excellent and both the university and the School of English are incredibly user-friendly.
Paul Johnston
Current PhD student
Studying for the MLitt in Medieval English was challenging and stimulating. I had tutorials with fellow students from Mediaeval History and benefited from the expertise of academics from the School of English, Art History, Mediaeval History and the Library's Special Collections department.
The collegiate atmosphere among the School of English postgraduates has been the biggest surprise and the biggest pleasure of the year. The School's postgrad facilities at 66 North St are a wonderful asset.
Studying here provides an opportunity to live in a beautiful corner of Scotland. All year round we love the Fife landscape, and count it a privilege to have lived here after being in the middle of a city for the last few years.
Rebecca Kerry
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt Medieval English 2009-10
I cannot say enough good things about the School of English at St Andrews. I feel truly fortunate to be here.
Greg Levey
Current PhD CW student
I have been a part-time student from the commencement of my studies and my experience has been wonderful. Everyone has been very supportive and has made it possible for me to study for a PhD.
Erin Louttit
Current part-time PhD student
Coming back to study after a huge gap is always daunting, but St Andrews is definitely the place to do this. Everyone is extremely supportive and they have given me the confidence to move from the part-time Evening Degree, through an MLitt to the PhD. The help and encouragement that I have received from the staff of the School of English is one of the main reasons I am approaching the completion of my PhD – I do not think I could have done this anywhere else.
I have delighted in the mixture of young and ‘older’ students which enrich both the academic atmosphere and the social life. Oh, and not forgetting the importance of the North Point coffee, scones and carrot cake to many ‘academic’ get-togethers there.
Morna Ramday
Current PhD student
To be able to spend 3 or 4 years on the subject you love is a blessing. To be able to do that in St Andrews is, for me, the ultimate joy in life. I simply love it here.
Verita Sriratana
Current PhD student
I have found that the University more than lives up to its reputation as a centre for excellence, providing its postgraduate community with all the support and facilities possible. I have been so impressed that I have decided to stay here to complete my PhD.
Gail Toms
Current PhD student and graduate of the MLitt in Women, Writing and Gender