MA Modern History
About this course
MA (Honours) in Modern History, a history and theology and religion degree examining historical developments over the past five centuries. Students complete a dissertation or final-year project alongside taught classes spanning multiple geographical regions and chronological periods. The first year covers continental Europe and thematic social and political developments through The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770) and Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001). The second year introduces disciplinary methods and British state formation via History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts and Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000). Optional modules allow students to explore specialized subjects across various regions, including British Cinema History (1920 - 1960), Imperial Russia 1815 - 1917, and Gender and Sexuality in South Asia (1800s-2000s).
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
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 19 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 99%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 94%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 35%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 20%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- British Cinema History (1920 - 1960)
- Curiosity, Empire, and Science in Eighteenth-Century Europe
- From Cradle to Grave: Living and Dying in Early Modern England (c.1500 - c.1800)
- Gender and Sexuality in South Asia (1800s-2000s)
- Imperial Russia 1815 - 1917
- Making Economic History Count: Economic Analysis from a Historical Perspective
- Stalinism, Nazism and Central Europe (1912 - 1941)
- The Decline and Fall of the French Old Regime (1715-1789)
- The Power of Persuasion: Propaganda in Renaissance and Reformation Scotland
- Twentieth-century Germany: A sense of place
- Women and Men in Europe (1500 – 1800)
- The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770)
- Themes in Late Modern History (c. 1776 - 2001)
- History as a Discipline: Development and Key Concepts
- Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1700 - 2000)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Modern History at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £31,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £38,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of MA Modern History at University of St Andrews do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Modern History at University of St Andrews?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Modern History at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 198 UCAS points.
Does MA Modern 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 Modern History at University of St Andrews?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.