Degree finder

UCAS code: VQ35

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Edinburgh College of Art

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA History of Art and Scottish Literature

This programme offers you the chance to study history of art and Scottish literature in equal depth.

History of art will introduce you to art from different periods and world cultures. You will learn how, and for whom, works of art were made, as well as situating artworks within visual and material culture more broadly.

You will explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpreted. In Years 3 and 4 you will have the opportunity to specialise in particular aspects of the field, as well as developing independent research projects and a dissertation.

Scottish literature 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. By enhancing your literary and critical faculties the programme prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important.

You will acquire an understanding of the cultural contexts of all major periods of Scottish literature from the late Middle Ages to the present, and a detailed knowledge of a specific topic or set of texts within each period. You will also study a set of specific research-led subjects offered by staff and selected on the basis of your own interests.

You will find that this programme’s subjects are complementary, since many ideas and movements are shared across the visual arts and literature, in particular historical periods. Both subjects benefit from shared methodologies and historical contexts.

What you will study

Year 1

You will study History of Art 1, which covers the period from the fall of the Roman Empire until the end of the Counter-Reformation. This will include non-Western material. You will also study Scottish Literature 1, an introduction to the study of literature, in particular questions of genre, form and interpretation. You will also choose an option course from another subject area.

Year 2

You will study History of Art 2, which begins with the 18th century and continues to the present day. You will study Scottish Literature 2, the study of a range of literature written between 1700 and 1950. A further option course will again be selected.

Year 3

You will choose from a selection of history of art and Scottish literature courses, and must also write a history of art independent project. There are also Critical Practice options. Study abroad is possible in Year 3.

Year 4

You will select courses that build on your subject choices in Year 3. You will also write a dissertation in either history of art 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 (2018/19)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Most teaching takes place in the University's Central Area or within Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

You will have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities and can take advantage of Edinburgh's galleries and museums, many of which are located near the University.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Europe and North America, via Erasmus and other international exchange schemes. For details see the information available at ‘Student Exchanges’ on the Edinburgh Global webpage.

Student Exchanges

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, individual supervisions and museum and gallery visits.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by coursework and exams. In Years 3 and 4, you will complete at least one independent project and a longer dissertation.

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 (2019/20)

Career opportunities

Studying History of Art & Scottish Literature at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a range of career fields such as curatorships in galleries and museums, art journalism, art dealing, tourism, graphics, advertising, heritage management, auctioneering, publishing and media.

Some graduates use their skills and experience for careers in management or teaching, while some choose to go on to further study.

Entry requirements

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB.
A Levels: AAB - ABB.
IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

SQA Highers: ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. Higher English required. National 5: Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
A Levels: ABB including English Literature or combined English. GCSEs: Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects including English. SL: Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

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 provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

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

Unistats data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA History of Art and Scottish Literature

Additional costs

You will bear the costs of printing your work, for example, the final year dissertation, which must be submitted on paper. In addition, there may be small costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions, but these are usually limited to c£10-£20 per visit.