Mediaeval History and Social Anthropology

Medieval history and social anthropology is a combination that places the study of a specific and richly documented historical period in dialogue with a discipline that uses comparative method and ethnographic thinking to understand human societies. Medieval history engages with sophisticated modes of thought and expression across medieval Europe and the Middle East, grappling with complex issues of religion, politics, culture, and economy to build a clear understanding of the historical background that underlies the present day. Social anthropology extends this comparative horizon, asking how human societies anywhere organise themselves, construct meaning, and manage power.

At the University of St Andrews, this MA (Hons) programme develops your historical research skills alongside the theoretical and methodological frameworks of social anthropology. You will learn to read medieval primary sources with care and to situate them in their broader historical contexts, while also engaging with anthropological theory and ethnographic approaches that open comparative perspectives on social life across different cultures and periods. The programme includes a year abroad and runs over four years full-time.

Graduates of medieval history and social anthropology programmes pursue careers in academia, education, heritage, international development, journalism, the civil service, and cultural institutions. The combination of historical depth, textual analytical skill, and anthropological breadth prepares graduates for roles that require genuine understanding of cultural difference and social complexity. Many go on to postgraduate research in medieval studies, anthropology, or interdisciplinary area studies, where the unusual combination of their undergraduate training is a distinctive academic advantage.