Scottish Literature and Scottish History (MA)

Introducing MA Scottish Literature and Scottish History

Uncover Scotland's past and help shape its future.

On our joint honours programme in Scottish Literature and Scottish History, you will engage in critical reading of texts of all kinds. This will help you understand the political, socio-economic and cultural forces that have shaped the Scotland of today.

Scottish Literature

Our programme 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.

After an introduction to the essential skills needed for critical close reading, you will specialise in Scottish Literature as you move through the literary side of your studies.

You will explore the cultural contexts of all major periods of Scottish literature from the late Middle Ages to the present.

In your honours years, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or genres of Scottish Literature.

Scottish History

With a particular emphasis on the history of Scotland, the Edinburgh experience is distinctive. You will engage with a range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas, and study using a rich variety of approaches to the past.

Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a fantastic historic and literary city which many greats of Scottish literature have called home. From the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland, the city's resources for studying literature and history are exceptional.

We are the oldest department of English and Scottish Literature in the UK, and one of the longest-established in the world. Our Writers-in-Residence have included:

• Jenni Fagan
• Liz Lochhead
• Sorley Maclean
• Norman MacCaig
• Michael Pedersen
• Alan Warner

This programme is very flexible. In your pre-honours years (Years 1 and 2), you will choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of Scottish Literature and Scottish History.

In your honours years (Year 3 and 4), you will select courses on the basis of your own literary and historical interests, developing a detailed knowledge of a topic or set of texts.

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.)

Skills and experience

Whether you were born in Scotland, or are new to the country and its culture, studying Scottish Literature and Scottish History shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

On this programme, you will engage with a broad range of texts and a variety of approaches to reading. Beyond the literary, critical thinking and creative skills you will gain, graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

• understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
• manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
• work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

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

As you progress through your honours years (Years 3 and 4), you will specialise in selected literary and historical topics, periods, themes or genres.

This breadth of 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 in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, sometimes through graduate training schemes where the ability to communicate well is essential in securing a competitive place.

Typical sectors 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

The knowledge I have gained about the history and tradition of Scottish Literature has been the single most important tool in establishing the press.

• Patrick, Scottish Literature graduate and co-founder of Taproot Press

Read our 2020 interview with Patrick and Taproot Press' co-founder Dani (also a Scottish Literature student)

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer:

• taught and research-led MSc degrees in literature and Scottish history
• MSc programmes in Playwriting and Creative Writing
• interdisciplinary MSc programmes in Comparative Literature and Intermediality

These programmes are a good foundation for a PhD, but are equally of value as stand-alone qualifications.

Beyond literature, history and associated fields, your degree will prepare you for further study in almost any humanities and social science discipline.

Careers advice

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

LLC has a dedicated Careers Consultant within the University's excellent Careers Service.

Through our careers service, you can:

• book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
• access a range of online resources
• attend themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival

Popular peer support includes Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from our recent graduates.

Be inspired by our alumni