MA Medieval History
About this course
MA (Honours) in Medieval History, a history degree exploring political, cultural and social developments across medieval Europe and the Middle East. The first year introduces the period through The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000) and The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707. The second year builds on this foundation with modules including Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.), History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts, Introduction to Middle Eastern History, Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000), and Narratives of antiquity. Optional study in later stages allows students to examine specific topics such as Death and the Afterlife in Later Medieval Europe, Holy Lives in Late Antiquity, Queens and Queenship in Early Medieval Europe, Sex and Gender in Medieval Europe, and The Mamluks and the Mamluk Sultanate.
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Entry requirements
A level: AAA, including A in History. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in History.
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What students say
Based on about 60 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 40 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 59%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 16%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 34%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 140 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Modules
- Death and the Afterlife in Later Medieval Europe
- Holy Lives in Late Antiquity
- Queens and Queenship in Early Medieval Europe
- Sex and Gender in Medieval Europe
- The Mamluks and the Mamluk Sultanate
- The Fall of Rome and the Origins of Europe (400-1000) : Examines how political, cultural and social life changed in the Byzantine, British and 'barbarian' worlds in response to major upheavals
- The Kingdom of the Scots, c.900-1707 : Explores Scotland's long history as an independent kingdom between the tenth and the early eighteenth century. It places particular emphasis on the use of museum collections and built heritage as historical evidence
- Medieval Europe (11th - 15th c.) : examines key themes that helped to shape continental Western Europe from the aftermath of the Carolingian Empire and beginning of the Crusades to the Black Death and the Hundred Years War
- History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts : provides an introduction to key theoretical and methodological approaches which have characterised the emergence of history as a discipline since medieval times
- Introduction to Middle Eastern History : provides an introduction to Middle Eastern history from the dramatic reconfiguration of the Middle East in late antiquity to its contested and contentious recent past
- Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000) : provides an introduction to how and why the British nation state evolved from the separate kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland and how and why it has survived over the last three centuries
- Narratives of antiquity : examines influential narratives from the ancient world and their reinterpretations in later periods, from the nineteenth century to the present day, and how they continue to shape the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves for better or for worse
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £29,500 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,000. The £36,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for African and modern Middle Eastern studies.
What do graduates of MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 205 UCAS points.
Does MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Medieval History at University of St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.