Direct answer
The University of Aberdeen’s MLitt Medieval and Early Modern Studies requires a UK Honours degree at 2:2 or equivalent in an appropriate discipline. The official programme page does not list a separate qualification table for China; it provides a country selector and states that the information is a guide only and does not guarantee entry. For the 2026/27 academic year, the published international tuition fee is £22,000, reduced to £14,000 for self-funded students who receive the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship.
What the MLitt programme covers
The MLitt explores historical and cultural connections between North-East Scotland, Pre-Modern Europe, and the global world. Students examine the Medieval and Early Modern periods through specialisms in art history, Celtic culture, church history and theology, languages, legal history, philosophy, Scottish and Irish studies, and Scandinavian studies. Depending on course combinations, you can graduate with a degree in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, or follow a specialist pathway in Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies or Modern History.
Entry qualifications stated on the official page
The programme page states: “You must normally have an Honours degree to at least 2:2 standard in an appropriate discipline or equivalent qualifications and experience.” The page includes a country selector that lists China, but no China-specific qualification equivalences are displayed in the supplied evidence. The university notes that the information is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry.
Degree structure and credit requirements
To obtain the MLitt, you must acquire 180 credit points over the duration of the programme. This is made up of 120 credits from taught courses and 60 credits from the dissertation. Courses usually total 45–60 credit points in each half-session. Assessment is based on written work and moderated according to university standards.
Compulsory and optional courses
The programme has two compulsory elements. The first is PD5006 Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen, an online course that takes approximately 2–3 hours and covers orientation, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity. Successful completion is recorded on your transcript as ‘Achieved’. The second is HI5917 Dissertation in Historical Studies, a 60-credit individually supervised project with a 15,000-word dissertation.
Optional courses include Old Norse 1, Viking Archaeology, Independent Reading In Historical Studies, Special Subject, Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Renaissance, Directed Reading in History, Latin 1 and Latin 2, Approaching Archives, History and the Media, and Research Preparation in Historical Studies. The university states it will endeavour to make all course options available, but these may be subject to change.
Fees and the Aberdeen Global Scholarship
For the 2026/27 academic year, the published EU/International tuition fee is £22,000. Self-funded international students receive an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, reducing the fee to £14,000. The page states that all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive this scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply, and the university directs readers to its Funding Database for the full range of scholarships.
Learning methods and research access
Learning methods include e-learning, field trips, group projects, individual projects, lectures, research, seminars, tutorials, and workshops. Students have access to the Museum and Special Archives Collections dating back to the 15th century, including the MacBean Stuart and Jacobite Collection, the UNESCO UK recognised Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, the Scottish Catholic Archives, and private estate papers from the early modern period in North-East Scotland. The programme also hosts an annual postgraduate training weekend at The Burn, an 18th-century estate in the Scottish countryside.
What still requires live rechecking
The official page does not display China-specific qualification equivalences in the supplied evidence. Anyone preparing an application should use the country selector on the live page to confirm the current published entry requirements for China. The page also notes that in exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, such as field trips. Course availability is subject to change, and applicants should check the live Student Terms and Conditions page before applying.
FAQ
What is the minimum degree classification required for this MLitt?
The programme page states you must normally have an Honours degree to at least 2:2 standard in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent qualifications and experience.
Does the official page show specific entry requirements for Chinese applicants?
The supplied evidence includes a country selector that lists China, but no China-specific qualification table is displayed. The page states the information is a guide only and does not guarantee entry.
What is the total tuition fee for international students in 2026/27?
The published international tuition fee is £22,000. Self-funded international students receive an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, reducing the fee to £14,000.
How many credits do I need to complete the MLitt?
You must acquire 180 credit points: 120 from taught courses and 60 from the dissertation.
Can I study this programme part-time?
Yes. The programme is offered full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months, with a September start.
What specialist pathways are available within this degree?
Depending on the combination of courses taken, you can graduate with a degree in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, or a specialist pathway in Viking and Medieval Nordic Studies or Modern History.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn entirely from the University of Aberdeen’s official postgraduate degree programme page for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, available at abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/183/medieval-and-early-modern-studies/. For broader context on studying in the UK, see our related article on UK study abroad rankings and recommendations. If you are preparing English language qualifications, you may also find our guide on the Duolingo English Test useful. For those comparing study destinations, we have information on German student visa requirements. Readers in China can also refer to our Xiamen study abroad agency recommendations for 2026.