MA English Literature and History
About this course
MA (Hons) in English Literature and History, an English Literature and History degree examining historical themes and texts from various periods. Students engage with a broad range of cultural contexts and chronological eras ranging from the medieval period to the present day. The first year covers introductory material through poetry, drama, and prose. Students also select from options covering the medieval period, the early modern period, business, economics and informatics, politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations, art and architectural history, history, classics and archaeology, Celtic and Scottish ethnology, linguistics and English language, and philosophy, divinity and law.
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
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 29%: 71 offers from 244 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 60%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 68%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 52%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 305 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 36%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 38%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 70%
- Baccalaureate: 15%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history
- one of two courses, covering either: the medieval period the early modern period
- the medieval period
- the early modern period
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and English language
- philosophy, divinity and law
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA English Literature and History at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £45,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA English Literature and History at University of Edinburgh?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA English Literature and History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 39 points in the IB. The average entrant had 196 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA English Literature and History at University of Edinburgh?
29% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 71 offers from 244 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA English Literature and History 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 Literature and History at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.