Spanish and English Literature (MA)
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    Spanish and English Literature (MA)

    The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Edinburgh
    University Rank:#27
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 37,206 / year(s)
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    Spanish and English Literature (MA)

    About

    Introducing MA Spanish and English Literature

    Spanish is the official language in 20 countries and is widely spoken in four more territories, including the United States. For centuries, alongside English-speaking cultures, these countries have had a profound international influence on literature.

    This joint honours programme aims to develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills. As well as language learning, you will engage with a broad range of texts in both English and Spanish, and a variety of approaches to reading.

    Spanish

    Spanish at Edinburgh celebrated its centenary in 2019, and our wide-ranging courses are taught by leading experts in their field, inviting you to explore the diverse and rich cultures of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean.

    Intensive language training, including a year abroad, gives you the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading and translating skills in Spanish.

    You will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, poetry and theatre from around the world, explored in its historical context.

    You will learn how to discern different varieties and registers of Spanish, and gain crucial intercultural competencies.

    English Literature

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

    You will gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose and explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present.

    At honours level, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres.

    Combining literature with a language shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

    Why Edinburgh

    We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

    Our programme is also flexible. In Years 1 and 2, as well as your core courses, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years, the first of which is spent abroad.

    You can choose to take option courses in other schools, or broaden your linguistic portfolio with another language such as Portuguese, Basque or Catalan.

    When you graduate, you will have the combination of a broad cultural education and the specialist knowledge which employers worldwide value.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Standard entry requirement

    The standard entry requirement is:

    • SQA Highers: AAAA (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 - 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 and a language other than English at B.
    • A Levels: a language other than English at B, and either English Literature or combined English at B.
    • IB: HL: English at 5 and a language other than English at 5.

    Additional requirements

    Language requirement

    For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

    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 Program Requirements

    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.)

    Career

    Skills and experience

    Combining a language with literature to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.

    Beyond the linguistic, literary and critical skills you will develop, you will also gain a nuanced understanding of diverse cultures and societies.

    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

    Graduates who have studied a combination of language and literature can be found in every kind of career, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

    Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

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

    Local and global opportunities

    With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

    Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another world language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

    If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that Spanish is one of the five most widely spoken languages in the world. In addition to having over 400 million native speakers, it is spoken as a second language by around nine million people, globally.

    The language is your gateway to a great many countries and cultures, including a large number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and a growing community of speakers in the United States.

    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:

    • Masters by Research degrees in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and in English Literature
    • Taught MSc programmes in Playwriting, Creative Writing and different periods of English Literature
    • MSc programmes in Comparative Literature, Intermediality and Translation Studies

    Each of these programmes is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

    Beyond literature, cultural study 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

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    37,206 / year(s)

    Spanish and English Literature (MA)

    The University of Edinburgh

    The University of Edinburgh

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Edinburgh

    Go to Official Website