MA English
About this course
MA (Honours) in English, a psychology and italian degree centred on the critical study of literature, language, and culture across multiple historical periods. Students examine texts ranging from early medieval works to contemporary fiction, analyzing theatrical performances, historical contexts, and literary theory. The course spans four years full time, beginning with foundational studies in literature from the seventeenth century onwards before progressing to drama and older language forms. The first year covers nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature alongside texts addressing slavery, empire, and revolution through Culture and Conflict: An Introduction to Nineteenth-encephalitis- and Twentieth-Century Literature and Empires and Revolutions: Literature 1680-1830. The second year focuses on performance contexts and early language forms through Drama: Reading and Performance and Medieval and Renaissance Texts. Subsequent years offer a range of specialized subjects including Creative writing, Literary theory, Shakespeare, and Old English. Optional studies allow further exploration into topics such as Romantic Gothic, Postcolonial Literature and Theory, and American Fiction: Self and Nation 1865 to 1939, alongside advanced 3000-level and 4000-level English modules.
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: AAA, Including A in English or English Literature. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), Including HL6 in English.
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What students say
Based on about 36 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 2%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Caring personal services: 15%
- Therapy professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 36%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 6%
- Scotland: 34%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modules
- Contemporary fiction
- Creative writing
- Literary theory
- Old English
- Playwriting
- Renaissance literature
- Romanticism
- Shakespeare
- The Victorian novel
- American Fiction: Self and Nation 1865 to 1939
- Old English Poetry: Lordship and Landscapes
- 'Loose Baggy Monsters': The Rise and Fall of the Victorian Novel
- Postcolonial Literature and Theory
- Reading Popular Music
- Romantic Gothic
- The Country and the City in Scottish Literature
- Shakespeare and Race
- Writing the Pacific
- 3000-level English modules
- 4000-level English modules
- Culture and Conflict: An Introduction to Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Literature
- Empires and Revolutions: Literature 1680-1830
- Drama: Reading and Performance
- Medieval and Renaissance Texts
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA English at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £45,500. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of MA English at University of St Andrews do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA English at University of St Andrews?
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 at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 204 UCAS points.
Is MA English at University of St Andrews accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does MA English at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA English at University of St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.