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UCAS code: VQ35

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Edinburgh College of Art

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

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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.

Studying Scottish Literature will further develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills. Engaging with a broad range of texts and a variety of approaches to reading, you will acquire an understanding of the cultural contexts of all major periods of Scottish literature from the late middle-ages to the present.

We are the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world, and proud to be based in the heart of the first UNESCO World City of Literature. From Arthur Conan Doyle to Muriel Spark, many of Scotland's greatest writers have called the city home.

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.

In Scottish Literature, 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 also choose from a wide range of option courses offered by the University of Edinburgh.

Year 2

You will study History of Art 2, which begins with the 18th century and continues to the present day.

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

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

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 in English Literature. 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 (2020/21)

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 international exchange schemes. For details see the information available at ‘Student Exchanges’ on the Edinburgh Global webpage.

Student Exchanges

What are my options for going 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 (2020/21)

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

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: AAB - 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.)

Discover Uni data

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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 Discover Uni 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. In addition, there may be small costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions, but these are usually limited to c£10-£20 per visit.