MA Philosophy and English Literature

Year 1

Philosophy

You will study:

• Greats: From Plato to the Enlightenment

• Morality and Value

• Logic 1

These courses introduce you to key topics in:

• the history of philosophy

• morality and ethics

• the nature of argument

English Literature

In English 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

• 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.

Option courses

You can also choose to take Philosophy of Science 1, which looks at philosophical problems and assumptions around science.

Year 2

Philosophy

In philosophy, you will take two courses:

• Mind, Matter and Language

• Knowledge and Reality

English Literature

In your second year English Literature courses, 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.

Option courses

You can also choose to take courses in other subjects, such as sociology and politics, that cover topics related to philosophy or literature.

Year 3

You will start to specialise. You will choose courses from a range linked to our areas of expertise.

Philosophy

In philosophy, these include topics linked to the major areas of the subject, and could include:

• Philosophy of Religion
• Metaphysics
• Political Philosophy
• Philosophy of Language
• Ancient Philosophy

English Literature

For English Literature, you can choose courses that explore different periods, topics and approaches according to your area of interest.

These courses will help you prepare if you choose to do your dissertation in English Literature in Year 4.

Year 4

You will choose another four to six courses from a wide variety available.

You will also complete either an independent dissertation on a philosophy or English Literature topic of your choice, or a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy.

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)

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around the University of Edinburgh's Central Area.

This area has excellent computing and audiovisual resources, support services and social spaces, including many in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences and neighbouring School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

There’s lots going on in our subject areas, including:

• multiple student societies for philosophy, literature and drama enthusiasts

• reading and writers’ groups

• poetry slams

• creative writing magazines

• guest seminars

  English Literature's Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme - LitPALS - is one of the University's largest.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through international exchange programmes.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials.

You will be expected to undertake substantial reading each week in preparation for English Literature classes.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams.

In Year 4, you will also complete either an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice or a coursework dissertation through two extended essays.

The philosophy and English Literature courses you study throughout your programme provide you with the analytical and critical-thinking skills that are highly valued in the workplace.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in:

• education

• commerce

• journalism

• finance

• law

• computing

Some graduates also choose to continue with their studies and pursue a research or academic career.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB-ABBB by end of S5 or AAAA-AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAB - ABB.
• IB: 36 points with 665 HL - 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

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

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 Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Philosophy and English Literature

Additional costs

None.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk