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UCAS code: V6Q3

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Divinity

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

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Introducing MA Religious Studies and Scottish Literature

This joint honours programme combines vibrant study of religions with the excitement of Scottish literature.

Religious studies

Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on religious beliefs and practices and their relationships with the wider world.

You will study the concepts and emotions which underpin religious belief and practice, and their role and function in culture and society.

You will cover historical and contemporary material. We take as much interest in the groups and people who practice religion as their gods, deities, ancestors and spirits.

Examining literature

You will use a range of methods to examine where religious ideas illuminate literature and where religion is mediated in texts.

You will study texts ranging from canonical writings, such as Buddhist sutras and the Hebrew Bible, to classic and modern fiction

Reading and writing are key practices in religion and Scottish literature. This programme introduces you to major texts and gives you the tools and critical skills to understand and interpret them.

What you will study

Year 1

You will study two compulsory religion courses, covering a range of religious traditions and approaches.

In Scottish Literature, you will take two Literary Studies courses. These 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 can also choose courses from other university subject areas.

Year 2

You will study two compulsory religion courses, covering a range of religious traditions and approaches.

You will be introduced to the study of Scottish 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 can also choose courses from other university subject areas.

Year 3

You will continue to study one or more religious traditions in international and cross-cultural contexts and will take literature courses at an advanced level.

Some of these courses may focus on further development of your critical skills, and help you prepare for the independent dissertation that you will write in Year 4.

Year 4

You will choose further advanced courses and will complete a dissertation with academic guidance on a subject in either religious traditions or Scottish Literature.

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 (2021/22)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Your teaching will mostly be at New College in the centre of Edinburgh. This city landmark has its own historic library, study space, hall and garden.

Many other study and student support facilities are only a short walk away in George Square. These include the University Main Library.

The University of Edinburgh has the oldest department of English and Scottish Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world.

Why Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh contains many museums, galleries and cultural sites, which broaden and deepen student learning.

We are proud to be based in the heart of the first UNESCO World City of Literature.

The city's literary highlights include:

the Scottish Poetry Library
the Writers' Museum
the Scottish Storytelling Centre
outstanding holdings in the National Library of Scotland

Study abroad

You will have a range of opportunities to spend time abroad. For shorter periods, these include summer programmes and working abroad.

During Year 3, you will have the chance to study abroad on exchange for up to a year at a wide selection of leading global universities. These include two institutions the School of Divinity has ongoing relationships with:

Radboud University Nijmegen
Dartmouth College

Going abroad expands your horizons and is great fun. It also brings you academic and career benefits.

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a mix of:

lectures
tutorials
seminars
digital learning

You will also be required to undertake substantial reading each week in preparation for classes, particularly in Scottish Literature.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including examinations, coursework, participation in seminars, presentation of your work and an honours dissertation.

Career opportunities

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers in a variety of settings, including:

the creative arts
non-governmental organisations
finance
teaching
management
administration
government
counselling
the voluntary sector

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points with 655 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