Why study this course?
- Work with a significant number of scholars of early modern history who can provide a high level of specialised supervision and advanced training in the history of the politics, society and culture of the early modern European and Atlantic worlds.
- For those choosing to specialise in Reformation history, the course instils a wide contextual awareness of all of the European Reformations, while also offering the chance to pursue detailed study of a particular theological, geographical or methodological area.
- Benefit from broad and deep preparation, offering you the chance to explore and critically evaluate both historiography and primary sources.
- Pursue high-level skills training to build up to your MLitt dissertation.
- Preparation for students who are interested in subsequent doctoral research.
The early modern cohort is typically close-knit and friendly, but comprises a diverse, international group with a range of intellectual interests. Students work closely with each other, with early modern research staff, and also with students in parallel MLitt degrees such as Intellectual History and Book History.
Teaching
Delivered through fortnightly seminars, practical classes and tutorials.
Class sizes
Groups range from individual supervision up to 12 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with weekly support.
Assessment
Coursework only, no exams.
Modules
The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.
If you choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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- Themes and Debates in Early Modern History 1: introduces students to a variety of key debates in early modern history through studying different scholars’ approaches to the period.
You will then choose between one of the following:
- Themes and Debates in Early Modern History 2: allows students to continue exploring different scholarly approaches to early modern politics, society, and culture.
- Aspects of Reformation: explains selected themes in reformation studies and encourages students to develop a sense of the historiography of the period.
You will also choose to take two of the following modules:
- Early Modern Documents and Sources: provides a wide-ranging introduction to the types of source material which researchers on the early modern period may encounter.
- Latin for Early Modern History 1: provides three tiers of Latin teaching (beginners, intermediate, and advanced) for students with earlier or no experience.
- Material Bibliography 1: covers the use of the book as historical evidence and practical aspects of technical bibliographical description, as well as a detailed exploration of digital book history.
- Paleography and Manuscript Studies: provides a wide-ranging introduction to reading and handling original source material of all types which researchers of the early modern period may encounter. The course will trace the development of mainstream European handwriting styles from the late 15th to the 18th centuries.
Plus the following two modules:
- Latin for Early Modern History 2: develops the skills students will have developed in Latin for Early Modern History 1.
- Material Bibliography 2: covers themes and skills such as Book Illustrations, Provenance Analysis, Special Collections Cataloguing, and Material Bibliography in an Age of Digitisation.
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Students choose one optional module.
Students may also choose a Directed Reading topic, which is designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study. Depending upon other module choices, this may be taken across one or both semesters. The Directed Reading topics offered will vary slightly each year depending on staff availability.
The Directed Reading topics offered will vary slightly each year depending on staff availability. Popular categories include the below, though others will be available.
- The Renaissance in Italy and Northern Europe
- The European Reformations, the English and Scottish Reformations
- Gender and Politics in Early Modern Europe
- War, State and Society in Early Modern Europe
- Political Thought and Intellectual History
The topic will usually provide the foundation for the work of the dissertation, which is completed over the summer.
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Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
What it will lead to
Careers
History postgraduates go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including:
- journalism
- publishing
- think tanks
- government
- law
- 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 of the programme continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
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 History hosts the Early Modern and Modern History Postgraduate Forum, which provides a space for postgraduates at all stages to present ideas, discuss research issues and find out about what their fellow historians are up to.
The Reformation Studies Institute at St Andrews hosts a seminar programme, holding numerous talks and lectures each semester.
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.
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 or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
- a personal statement
- a sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- one original signed academic reference
- 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: £12,630
- Rest of the world: £27,200
The School of History is pleased to be able to offer a number of competitive scholarship which contribute to the fees and maintenance for postgraduate study.
Offer the cash equivalent of one year's home fees and cannot be held in conjunction with other awards offering full fees and maintenance.
Whenever it is relevant to your programme and possible, the School makes available competitive language bursaries for training prior to the start of an MLitt programme. To find out more, please contact pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk as early as possible. Note that, when available, the application deadline is normally in the early Spring.
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
- Postgraduate online information events
- The School can help with course content, teaching and other topics: ask the School
- Ask University Admissions about how to apply, fees, scholarships and other topics
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: 20 November 2025