Global Digital Humanities (PGCert, PGDip, MSc) – online January and March 2025

Global Digital Humanities offers creative and data-driven methods to study and curate human culture. Through a combination of theory, case studies and project-based learning taught by the Schools of Modern Languages and Computer Science, you will acquire the research skills and computational methods necessary to deepen your understanding of languages, literatures and cultures in the digital age.

You will also explore the capabilities, limitations and risks of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and their impact on the arts and industry.

Key information

  • PGCert, PGDip, and MSc options available for self-paced study
  • Learn sought-after creative and data-driven methods to study and curate human culture

Masters scholarships

Successful entrants starting online studies at Masters level in January 2025 can apply for scholarships of up to £6000 towards the course fees.

Start date
January 2025
End date
Flexible
Duration
PGCert (up to one year), PGDip (one to two years), MSc (one to three years)
School
School of Modern Languages

Register your interest Book an information session

January 2025 entry

Application deadline: Friday 3 January 2025

Apply for PGCert Apply for PGDip Apply for MSc

March 2025 entry

Application deadline: Friday 14 February 2025

Apply for PGCert Apply for PGDip Apply for MSc

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. 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.

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

  • CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
  • personal statement (500 words)
  • sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2000 words)
  • two original signed academic references
  • 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 Global Digital Humanities course is an online self-paced programme, with options to study for a PGCert, PGDip, or MSc. 

Highlights

  • Delivered jointly by the School of Modern Languages and the School of Computer Science.
  • Understand the development of language technologies and their implications for Modern Languages and related industries.
  • Identify and discuss current challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Modern Languages and broader society globally.
  • Apply computational methods to the study of languages and literary texts.  
  • Acquire theoretical and applied knowledge about publishing texts digitally and creating accessible digital books.  
  • Flexible and fully online degree programme.

Modules

Students studying for a PGCert take three modules in Digital Humanities and one module in Computer Science from the following.

Those studying for a PGDip take five modules in Digital Humanities and three modules in Computer Science from the following.

Those studying for an MSc take five modules in Digital Humanities and three modules in Computer Science from the following, and will complete a dissertation or final project.

  • Digital Humanities Principles and Methods: introduces contemporary debates on the future of the humanities in our digital age; you will learn about digital tools, methods and themes, and identify interdisciplinary research questions relating to Digital Humanities.  
  • Programming in Python: introduces and revises modelling, design and implementation in Python.
  • Research methods in data science: introduces the skills necessary for the planning, data gathering, data analysis and dissemination stages of data science research.
  • Digital Global Literatures: enables students to enhance the analysis and presentation of literary texts with advanced digital and computational techniques.
  • Digital Modern Languages: examines the capabilities, limitations, and impact of these technologies on Modern Language and related industries.
  • Memory and Storytelling in the Digital Age: delves into storytelling as a cultural practice, examining the storyteller’s role and narrative techniques for crafting memory in a digital world.
  • Data and information visualisation: focuses on the question of how to utilise visual representations to make information accessible for exploration and analysis.
  • End-to-End Machine Learning: focuses on using Python packages to perform end-to-end data-driven analyses.

Dissertation in Digital Humanities or applied research project

Following the successful completion of the coursework, MSc students undertake a dissertation module of 60 credits (15,000 words) or an applied research project accompanied by a report (8,000 words). The dissertation should demonstrate an element of independent thinking or originality of thought in the establishment of the argument and be based upon clearly founded research, analysis and interpretation. It should demonstrate how to address the challenges relating to conducting and completing a research thesis and, likewise, the applied research project should demonstrate how to reflect and manage the execution of a digital humanities project from requirements to results.  

The topic of the dissertation or the applied research project must be agreed before the start of the project with an academic supervisor. These modules involve regular one-to-one contact with the supervisor.

Teaching

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical work. A self-led approach is taken, with students accessing modules and components at a pace and on a timetable that suits their work and study environment.

Most modules are assessed through coursework exercises, presentations and tests.

Fees

  • £18,000 for the MSc
  • £12,000 for the PGDip
  • £6,000 for the PGCert

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.

Taught postgraduate scholarships    Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

Alumni of the School of Modern Languages have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, technological and research institutions.

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 of the School of Modern Languages continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2961
Email
admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
School of Modern Languages
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

School of Modern Languages website