MA Celtic and English Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in Celtic and English Literature, a English Literature and Celtic degree examining the literatures, languages, and cultures of the Celtic world alongside English-speaking texts. The four-year programme features study options in Scottish Gaelic and pathways covering Celtic civilisation. The first year introduces foundational elements through courses such as Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars and Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance, alongside a Scottish Gaelic language pathway and a Celtic civilisation pathway. Year 2 explores medieval Welsh and Irish material in Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas, as well as texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland in Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals. Year 3 involves advanced study through options including Haunted Imaginations: Scotland and the Supernatural, Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry, Celtic Revivals: Writing on the Periphery, 1890-1939, Joyce and style, and Poetry and Northern Ireland.
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Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: English Literature or combined English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 50%: 5 offers from 10 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 98 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 190 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 91%
- Gained a higher qualification: 1%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 435 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 32%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 215 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 3%
Modules
- Scottish Gaelic language pathway
- Celtic civilisation pathway
- Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars
- Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and English language
- European languages and cultures
- Asian studies
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material
- Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland
- Haunted Imaginations: Scotland and the Supernatural
- Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry
- Celtic Revivals: Writing on the Periphery, 1890-1939
- Joyce and style
- Poetry and Northern Ireland
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £44,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 181 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
50% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 5 offers from 10 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Celtic and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.