MA English and Philosophy
About this course
MA in English and Philosophy, exploring literature alongside fundamental questions of human existence and reasoning. Core topics include Research Methods and Communication & Writing. Students complete an independent dissertation in either subject area in their final year.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in English is also required. SQA Highers: BBBB. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in related subjects. Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.) GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes. Irish Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Higher at H3.
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 99%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 15%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 65%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- Academic Writing for Divinity, History & Philosophy
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Acts of Reading
- Experience, Knowledge and Reality
- Controversial Questions
- How Should One Live?
- Logic and Argument
- Controversial Classics
- Rethinking Reading
- Encounters with Shakespeare
- The Tragedy of Knowledge
- Page and Stage: Renaissance Writings 1500 - 1640 (EL30CP)
- Knights, Virgins and Viragos: Chaucer and Medieval Writing (EL35DQ)
- Modernism: Make IT New (EL30FF)
- American Voices: Self and Society, 1850 - 1930 (EL30RD)
- Creative Writing: Creativity and Craft (EL30YB)
- Fallen Women and Self - Made Men (EL30VC)
- Art and Atrocity: Representations of Violence and Trauma (EL30UT)
- Haunted Texts (EL35KN)
- Art and Atrocity: Representations of Violence and Trauma (EL35UT)
- Bildungsroman to Alien Invasion (EL35VB)
- Images Adequate to Our Predicament: Art for the Anthropocene (EL35ZF)
- Celtic Encounters: the Gaelic World in Irish and Scottish Literature
- English Dissertation
- Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £33,000. The £28,500 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for English studies.
What do graduates of MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen?
99% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Does MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA English and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.