Masters Degree and Diploma
Early Modern Studies
For further information and an application form contact:
Dr Karen Friedrich
CEMS
Department of History
Crombie Annexe 207
Meston Walk
Aberdeen AB24 3FX
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 273928
Fax: +44 (0) 1224 273750
Email: k.friedrich@abdn.ac.uk / enlpgapp@abdn.ac.uk
The application form is also available at:
www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/postgraduate/apply.shtml
Introduction
The University of Aberdeen is one of Scotland 's ancient universities and the fifth oldest in the UK , with more than five hundred years' experience of delivering excellence in teaching and research. The MLitt in Early Modern Studies is designed around the large number of academic staff actively researching in Divinity; History, Cultural History and History of Art; and Language and Literature for the period c.1450 to 1800. It offers expert research training and provides a unique environment for developing interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies. Students receive individualised tuition suited to their particular interests and future research requirements. Students choose from a range of skills-based and thematic courses taught by academic staff who are prominent in their fields. There is also ample opportunity for students to attend seminars and conferences, and to become integrated into the large and diverse early modern community that is based in the University.
Course Structure
Students are required to undertake one compulsory interdisciplinary course. 'Approaching the early modern', which introduces different kinds of research and writing currently being practised by scholars of the early modern period. Students intending to write a dissertation will also have to take 'Dissertation in early modern studies I: sources and source criticism', which provides the specific advice and training required for their particular research project. Students must also achieve the requisite number of credits (see below). Part One and Two courses are skills-based and range from 'Introductions' to research in History, Language and Literature, and History of Art, to training in Latin, palaeography, or computing. Part Three (Elective) courses are thematic and cover a range of issues and disciplines - from cities and civil societies, to language and identity, to visual and emblematic culture, to early modern Catholicism (see below). MLitt students are required to write a dissertation of 15-20,000 words in English over the summer.
Course Menu
A full list of courses will appears on the website: www.abdn.ac.uk/cems
Who will take this degree?
The MLitt will appeal to any student with an interest in European history and culture between the later fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. While particular disciplinary requirements are carefully catered for, the programme as a whole will be especially appealing to (and rewarding for) those who wish to gain a more interdisciplinary approach to the period. It will also appeal to anyone looking for a thorough grounding in the research skills needed to experience the past at first hand.
Students can take this programme as a diploma; a stand-alone one-year or two-year part-time Master's degree (though immigration regulations prevent an overseas student from studying part-time); or as a first step towards a MPhil or PhD (subject to admission to a further degree programme either at Aberdeen or elsewhere). Hence it is likely to appeal to those who wish to create a solid foundation on which to build a PhD research proposal or teach in the humanities. It will also appeal to those interested in pursuing postgraduate study in order to further their interest in culture and life-long learning.
Entrance Requirements
The standard entrance requirement is a good first degree in English, normally at a 2.1 level or a level deemed equivalent by the Head of School. Foreign-language students need to have a minimum of IELTS at 6, or TOEFL at 550. The Head of School will also consider applicants with non-standard qualifications.
Cost
Up-to-date details of the costs involved in Postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/postgraduate/howmuch.shtml
What if I do not want to write a dissertation?
Student who attend and satisfactorily complete all compulsory and optional courses, but who do not write a dissertation, will be awarded a Diploma in Early Modern Studies.
For international students, all postgraduate taught programmes, beginning in September 2008, have a deadline of the 1 st of July 2008. Any application received after this date, will not be considered for September 2008, but instead will be considered for the next available intake, either January 2009 or September 2009. For more information on the intakes for each programme please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/prospectus/pgrad/ Please note this deadline is to ensure students have sufficient time to complete the application process and apply for their visa, and arrive in Aberdeen in time of the start of their programme.
There is no programme deadline for those students classed as UK/EU for tuition fee purposes.