MA Spanish and English Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in Spanish and English Literature, an English Literature and Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies degree focusing on literary analysis, cultural contexts, and language acquisition. The four-year programme includes a full academic year spent studying or working abroad. The first year covers poetry, drama, prose, linguistics and English language, alongside options in areas such as business, economics and informatics; politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations; art and architectural history; history, classics and archaeology; Celtic and Scottish ethnology; and philosophy, divinity and law. Year 2 explores thematic courses including Cultural Responses to War, Migration, Exile, Diaspora, Crime and Detection in Literature, Gender and Culture, The Coming-of-Age Narrative, Introduction to European Cinema, Dynamics of Language and Power, and Languages Beyond University. Year 3 involves studying or working in one or two destinations, which may include spending two semesters at a single institution, splitting one semester at two different institutions, arranging a work or volunteer placement with a private company or charity, or applying to an established scheme like the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme.
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*AA to AAA (required: a language other than English at B, English Literature or combined English at B) IB: from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 37%: 25 offers from 68 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 39 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 66%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 58%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 41%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 23%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- linguistics and English language
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- arrange to work or volunteer with a private company or charity
- apply to an established placement scheme, such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £55,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 185 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
37% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 25 offers from 68 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Spanish and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.