Religious Studies and English Literature (MA)

Introducing MA Religious Studies and English Literature

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

Religious studies

Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field 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
• cover historical and contemporary material

We take as much interest in the groups and people who practise religion as their gods, deities, ancestors and spirits.

Examining literature

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

You will:

• gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose
• read works of literature written in English from around the world
• encounter different ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study
• use a range of methods to examine where religious ideas illuminate literature and where religion is mediated in texts
• study texts ranging from canonical writings, such as Buddhist sutras and the Hebrew Bible, to classic and modern fiction

Why Edinburgh

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

Home of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, it is 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

Programme benefits

Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2 you will study your core subjects and will also choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines. You will specialise as you progress through your honours years.

Studying religion and literature prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, which is an essential attribute in many careers and the global marketplace.

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

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.)

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

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