MA Scottish Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in Scottish Literature, an English Literature degree exploring national writing from historical texts to contemporary works. The first year introduces poetry, drama, prose, alongside choices from Celtic and Scottish ethnology, philosophy, divinity and law, and history, classics and archaeology. Second year studies involve learning a language, taking courses in Scottish Ethnology, and studying external subjects. The third year focuses on Enlightenment ideas about history, society and literature, Scotland’s political incorporation into Britain, and Scotland’s participation in Britain’s global empire. The fourth and final year advances to modules in 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: 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 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
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- 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 courses in 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 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 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 Scottish 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.
Does MA 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 Scottish Literature at University of Edinburgh?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.