MA English Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in English Literature, an English Literature degree exploring the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present. The department is the oldest of its kind in the UK, drawing upon archival resources from both university collections and the National Library of Scotland. The first year covers a wide foundational range through poetry, drama and prose, alongside options in 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. The second year allows students to study Scottish Literature in a selection of major periods, learn (or continue to learn) a language, take classes in English Language and Linguistics, or do something completely different.
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 40 points with 766 at HL to 37 points with 666 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 30%: 343 offers from 1,147 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 50 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 110 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
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 115 students who started
- A levels: 92%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- 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
- study Scottish Literature in a selection of major periods
- learn (or continue to learn) a language
- take classes in English Language and Linguistics
- do something completely different
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA 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 English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
87% 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 at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 40 points in the IB. The average entrant had 182 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
30% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 343 offers from 1,147 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA 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 English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.