British Studies MLitt

Course code R930

What is special about this course?

The MLitt British Studies is the only interdisciplinary masters course in British Studies in the UK. It brings together four key disciplines from across the humanities – history, literature, philosophy and archaeology. It allows students to develop their interest in any aspect of British identities, across disciplines and centuries, and offers an excellent foundation for independent research.

You will explore the shifting meanings of Britishness, from the Roman era to the present day, with experts who are highly research active. You will examine a variety of representations and articulations of Britishness, exploring how British mentalities and identities have been experienced by people from all backgrounds - both in the UK and abroad - and questioning the idea of Britishness.

You will be trained in interdisciplinary approaches to the study of identities and in a range of research skills and methodologies, equipping you to pursue doctoral research in a selection of disciplines.

Special features

  • Interdisciplinary postgraduate training in the Humanities
  • Available in the Highlands and Islands or online from anywhere in the world
  • Ideal for students who have undertaken a joint-honours or liberal arts undergraduate degree, but designed in a way that also supports students who are new to interdisciplinary research or the individual disciplines that form part of this course
  • Opportunity to undertake a substantial interdisciplinary research project
  • Opportunities to study additional modules from across the Humanities

Entry requirements

  • 2:1 Honours degree or above (or international equivalent) in history, archaeology, literature, philosophy, or a related subject from elsewhere in the arts and humanities

*Funding support notice*

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scotland-domiciled students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland-domiciled students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

Access routes

An honours degree in History, Archaeology, Literature, Philosophy or a related subject in the arts and humanities.

PgCert

There are four core modules on this programme:

  • British identities
  • Global Scots: Re-imagining the nation
  • Philosophy and British identity: Adam Smith and the virtues of modernity
  • Britain begins: the archaeology of British identity

You must complete at least two of the core modules to exit with a PgCert. You may also choose an option module from those listed in the PgDip. 

PgDip

You will choose the remaining core module from those listed in the PgCert, plus two option modules which may include:

  • Arguments and alternatives in history
  • Introduction to palaeography and languages in North Atlantic history
  • Primary sources in history (MLitt History) 
  • Voices from the past: understanding and using oral history
  • an elective from History or other subject area

MLitt

  • To achieve the award of MLitt British Studies you must complete an interdisciplinary research dissertation

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will study this course through weekly interactive video conference seminars, and online via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • You can study this programme from anywhere in the world via distance learning and will access lectures and video conference tutorial sessions online, in real time or through recordings

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year @ 35 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 17.5 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): 6 years

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in seminars (where relevant) and online class discussion, as well as your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • UHI Centre for History

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £584 £584
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,752 £1,752
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,504 £3,504
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,256 £5,256

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), studying this course on-campus or online from their home, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25 (on-campus) 2024-25 (online)
Per module (20 credits) £720 £792 £780
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £2,160 £2,376 £2,340
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £4,320 £4,752 £4,680
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £6,480 £7,128 £7,020

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

2024-25 On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) With scholarship Online study (from home country) With scholarship
Per module (20 credits) £1,666 £1,250 £1,110 £833
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £4,998 £3,750 £3,330 £2,499
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £9,996 £7,500 £6,660 £4,998
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £14,994 £11,250 £9,990 £7,497

 

2023-24 On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) With scholarship Online study (from home country) With scholarship
Per module (20 credits) £1,600 £1,120 £1,080 £810
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £4,800 £3,360 £3,240 £2,430
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £9,600 £7,200 £6,480 £4,860
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £14,400 £10,080 £9,720 £7,290

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus or online, the following fees apply:

Qualification On-campus study (term-time address in Scotland) Online study (from home country)
  2023-24 2024-25 2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £1,600 £1,666 £1,080 £1,110
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £4,800 £4,998 £3,240 £3,330
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £9,600 £9,996 £6,480 £6,660
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £14,400 £14,994 £9,720 £9,990

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. 

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS.  You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.

What can I do on completion of my course?

The highly developed critical, analytical and communication skills you will acquire through your studies will make you a strong candidate for a wide variety of careers. In addition, your hands-on digital skills will make you an attractive candidate to global enterprises. You may choose a career in:

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Media
  • Journalism
  • Community or adult education
  • Museums and libraries
  • Heritage
  • Politics and NGOs
  • Charity sector

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to consider further study such as a PhD or MRes at UHI or another institution.

Is there more information available online?

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I’ve been able to improve my knowledge of Highland history through the university’s Scottish History degree and the MLitt British Studies. The more I’ve learned and explored, the more beneficial it has been for my business – so I’m going to keep on learning for as long as I can.

John Macdonald combines running his own guided tours business, The Hebridean Explorer, while studying part time for a PhD with the UHI Centre for History. 

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We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.