MLitt Global Social and Political Thought

A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
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.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

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.

Compulsory

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.

Project

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.