Philosophy and English Literature (MA)

Introducing MA Philosophy and English Literature

This joint programme gives you in-depth knowledge of Philosophy and English Literature.

In Years 1 and 2, you will take courses that introduce you to each subject area, and choose options from a range of disciplines.

At honours level (Years 3 and 4), you will select courses based on your interests so you can specialise in particular topics.

Combining literature with philosophy shows an openness to different ideas and perspective which is valuable in many careers and the wider world.

Philosophy

Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. It is central to our understanding of the world and our interaction with it.

Philosophy gives you the skills to think about great philosophical questions in a clear and systematic way.

While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, the study of philosophy focuses on:

• argument
• critical enquiry
• rigour in reasoning
• clarity of expression, including making important distinctions

Philosophy at Edinburgh

The University has a strong historic connection to the subject, counting Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton among its former students.

Edinburgh has one of the UK’s largest philosophy departments and the Philosophy Society attracts high-profile speakers.

English Literature

Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK and one of the longest-established in the world.

Through this programme you will gain literary and linguistic skills and develop your creativity and critical thinking for close reading of literature.

You will explore a range of texts from around the world and different approaches to reading them.

Our courses cover a wide range of literary topics, periods and genres.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA.
• IB: 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

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

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
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at 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: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

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

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Skills and experience

Through this programme you will gain literary, analytical and critical thinking skills. Also, graduating with a four-year master of arts degree from our University shows intellectual resilience and flexibility.

As a graduate, you can show employers that you are able to:

• understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
• meet deadlines on different types of project, both independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

During your time with us, you will study a range of subjects, with the option to take courses in languages and other areas of the humanities and social sciences.

As you progress through your honours years (Years 3 and 4), you will specialise in:

• literary topics
• periods or genres
• different aspects of the English language

This broad education gives you the foundations to excel in a range of career sectors, especially those that value transferable humanities skills.

Our alumni have gone on to careers, sometimes through graduate training schemes, in the following sectors:

• private
• public
• not-for-profit
• for-benefit

Industries graduates have worked in include:

• business, finance and commerce
• communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
• creative writing, publishing, culture, heritage, and the arts
• education, outreach, advocacy and training
• journalism, broadcasting and media
• leisure, tourism and travel
• politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
• research, development and venture acceleration

Further study

The research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, especially in your Honours years, are valuable if you want to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we usually offer:

• taught and research-led MSc degrees in English Literature and Philosophy
• MSc degrees in Playwriting, Creative Writing and Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
• interdisciplinary MSc programmes in Comparative Literature and Intermediality

Careers advice

We have an excellent Careers Service. During your time with us, we will encourage you to improve your employability skills through peer initiatives where you can gain inspiration from our graduates.