MA Scottish Literature and Scottish History
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scottish Literature and Scottish History, a joint honours degree centred on English Literature and History exploring national texts and past events. Core topics include Historical Research. The course is taught across four years with foundational study in Edinburgh. The first year covers the foundations through poetry, drama, prose, a course on the history of Edinburgh from the Iron Age to the present day, a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history, 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 continues with historiography and a wide-ranging overview of the history of Scotland from the early modern period to the 20th century.
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: ABB (required: English Literature or combined English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 144 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 265 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
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 285 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 82%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 7%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- a course on the history of Edinburgh from the Iron Age to the present day
- a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history
- 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
- historiography
- a wide-ranging overview of the history of Scotland from the early modern period to the 20th century
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Scottish Literature and Scottish 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 Scottish Literature and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Scottish Literature and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 188 UCAS points.
Does MA Scottish Literature and Scottish 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 Scottish Literature and Scottish History at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.