Mediaeval History and Philosophy

Medieval history and philosophy is a combination that makes particular intellectual sense, because the medieval period was one in which philosophy, theology, and history were deeply intertwined. Medieval thinkers from Augustine and Anselm to Aquinas and Ockham grappled with questions about God, reason, knowledge, justice, and the good life in ways that shaped the entire Western philosophical tradition. And the history of medieval Europe and the Middle East, encompassing the rise of Islam, the Crusades, the Black Death, the emergence of universities, and the slow dissolution of feudal society, is both fascinating in its own right and essential for understanding the world that followed.

At the University of St Andrews, this MA (Hons) programme teaches you to engage with sophisticated modes of thought and expression across medieval Europe and the Middle East. You will grapple with complex historical and philosophical issues, developing a clear understanding of the historical background that underlies the present day. You will learn to read and analyse primary sources in their original languages, to construct arguments from evidence, and to engage with both the formal rigour of philosophical argument and the contextual sensitivity of historical interpretation.

The programme includes a year abroad and runs over four years full-time.

Graduates of medieval history and philosophy programmes pursue careers in academia, education, publishing, the heritage sector, law, the civil service, and journalism. The combination of historical depth, philosophical rigour, and critical analytical skill that the degree develops is valued across a wide range of professions. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in medieval studies, philosophy, history, or theology, where the breadth and rigour of their undergraduate preparation opens a range of specialised research pathways.