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UCAS code: QQ38

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

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Introducing MA English Literature and Classics

Many of the basic concepts underlying Western society found expression for the first time in ancient Greek or Latin, and - together with English - they are the language of many highly influential literary works.

Studying English Literature and Classics helps us understand the world in which we live now, as well as shedding light on the past, and prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important.

This programme aims to develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts and a variety of approaches to reading. You will explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present, and the highly influential scholarship and literature of the classical world.

You can opt to take a Greek, Latin or non-language pathway through Classics study. In your honours years (Years 3 and 4), you will study research-led courses selected on the basis of your own interests in both English Literature and Classics, developing a detailed knowledge of a topic or set of texts within each period.

We are the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world. Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a fantastic literary city which many greats of English and Scottish literature have called home.

What you will study

One of the most attractive characteristics of this programme is its flexibility.

This means that in Years 1 and 2, you’ll choose option courses drawn from a broad list of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of English Literature and Classics.

This may enable you to change the focus of your programme in your honours years (Years 3 and 4).

Year 1

You will take two ‘Literary Studies’ courses which will introduce you to the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of the core literary genres of poetry, drama and prose.

You will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.

You will select two courses from Classics, studying either the Greek and/or Roman World, or Greek, or Latin. These will influence the courses you can take in further years, placing you on a Greek, Latin or non-language pathway for Classics.

You will also choose from a wide range of option courses offered by the University of Edinburgh.

Year 2

You will be introduced to the study of English literature in its cultural and historical contexts, focusing on a selection of major periods. These courses will explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures.

You will study two Classics courses, following your pathway in Greek or Latin, or choosing from non-language options such as ancient history, classical art and archaeology, and classical literature in translation.

As in Year 1, you will also choose from a wide range of option courses offered by the University of Edinburgh.

Year 3

You can start to specialise and choose courses according to your areas of interest, including courses in critical practice.

Year 4

You will choose further courses according to your areas of interest and write an independent dissertation.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2020/21)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around the University of Edinburgh's central area in a world-leading festival city, the first UNESCO World City of Literature and home of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Outstanding libraries, collections and literary venues range from the National Library of Scotland to the Scottish Poetry Library, Writers’ Museum and Scottish Storytelling Centre.

The University itself has excellent computing and audiovisual resources, support services and social spaces, including many in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and School of History, Classics and Archaeology. We are the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world.

With multiple student societies for literature, drama and classics enthusiasts, our large community has lots to offer, including:

reading and writers’ groups
poetry slams
creative writing magazines
guest seminars
a thriving literature Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (LitPALS)
a fantastic Writer-in-Residence

Annual student writing prizes include awards for prose and verse.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programme.

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars. You will be required to undertake substantial reading each week in preparation for English Literature classes.

How will I be assessed?

Your progress will be assessed through close reading exercises, essays, assignments and exams, and you will receive prompt feedback on all your coursework to help you improve as you progress.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2020/21)

Career opportunities

The skills you’ll develop on our programmes, including the ability to think critically and work independently and to deadline, are essential in many careers.

We have great links with the Careers Service, and throughout your time with us, we’ll encourage you to identify and hone your skills, including through initiatives such as Life After Lit, which allow you to draw inspiration from our graduates.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work in publishing, advertising, arts and events management, the creative industries, teaching, and the media. Some have used their transferable skills to pursue careers in finance and business, while others have moved into creative writing, which we teach as an option throughout the undergraduate years, supported by our Writer-in-Residence.

There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level, with the honours years in particular developing the research skills you’ll need if you choose this path.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: AAAA-AABB by the end of S5 or AAAA-AAAB by the end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.(Revised 09/04/2020 from AAAA-AAAB and to include alternate grades to be achieved by end of S6.)
A Levels: AAA - ABB.
IB: 43 points with 776 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

SQA: Highers: English at B.
A Levels: English Literature or combined English at B.
IB: HL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 at C
SQA Standard Grade at 3
SQA Intermediate 1 at A
SQA Intermediate 2 at C
GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
Level 2 Certificate Grade C
IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)