MA English and Scottish Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in English and Scottish Literature, an English Literature degree centred on texts written in English from the late Middle Ages onward alongside all major periods of Scottish literature. At honours level, students specialise in specific topics, periods or genres. Edinburgh houses the oldest department of literature in the UK, providing access to extensive university and city resources. The first year covers core literary forms through poetry, drama and prose, alongside cultural studies courses such as Conceptualising Scotland and Creating Scotland, while also allowing studies in external subjects including philosophy, divinity and law. The second year provides opportunities to learn a language, take classes in English Language, Linguistics or Scottish Ethnology, or pursue alternative subjects. The third year examines Enlightenment ideas about history, society and literature, Scotland’s political incorporation into Britain, and Scotland’s participation in Britain’s global empire. The final year focuses on advanced literary study through Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry and Contemporary Scottish Fiction.
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: from A*A*A* to A*AA (required: English Literature or combined English at B) IB: from 39 points with 666 at HL to 36 points with 665 at HL
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 33%: 15 offers from 46 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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- Conceptualising Scotland - an introduction to the study of culture, society and tradition in Scotland. You will explore competing conceptions and images of the nation as expressed in literature, folklore, song, the media and more.
- Creating Scotland - an exploration of Scotland's topographical, social and cultural features, how they are expressed in different cultural forms, and their influence on each other over time.
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- linguistics and English language
- philosophy, divinity and law
- learn (or continue to learn) a language
- take classes in English Language, Linguistics or Scottish Ethnology
- do something completely different
- Enlightenment ideas about history, society and literature
- Scotland’s political incorporation into Britain
- Scotland’s participation in Britain’s global empire
- Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry
- Contemporary Scottish Fiction
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA English and Scottish 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 English and Scottish 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 English and Scottish Literature at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 39 points in the IB. The average entrant had 200 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA English and Scottish Literature at University of Edinburgh?
33% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 15 offers from 46 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA English and Scottish 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 English and Scottish Literature at University of Edinburgh?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.