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Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
English Literature and History
University of Edinburgh
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the English Literature and History course at University of Edinburgh.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A*,A*,A*
A*A*A* - A*AA. Required subjects: A levels: English Literature or combined English at B.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £29,600 per year |
| International | £29,600 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: QVH1
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its English Literature and History course.
Through the critical reading of texts of all kinds, our joint honours programme in English Literature and History helps you understand today's world while shedding light on the past.
English 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.
You will explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from all over the world, from the late Middle Ages to the present.
History
History at Edinburgh is distinctive for its range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas. You can choose from courses covering:
-
the early Middle Ages to the most recent past
-
Britain and Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Further, our courses offer a rich variety of approaches to the past, including:
-
political history
-
cultural history
-
social history
-
economic history
-
intellectual history
-
gender history
-
global and transnational history
Why Edinburgh
The historic city of Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature. For centuries, it has been the home and muse of many great writers.
History has been taught at the University of Edinburgh since its foundation in 1583. We are the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, and one of the longest-established in the world.
From the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland, the city's resources for studying literature and history are exceptional.
Our programme 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, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.
How long it takes to complete this degree programme
This programme is studied over 4 years. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.
Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of subjects and disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.
Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in specific topics, periods, genres or approaches to English Literature and History.
Programme benefits
-
Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility.
-
Try out different subjects in your first two years.
-
Learn in the heart of a UNESCO World City of Literature.
-
Join societies related to what you are studying.
-
Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.
-
Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.
Source: University of Edinburgh
Course details
Qualification
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Department
School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures
Location
Central area campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• History
• English literature
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Edinburgh reviews
Showing 108 reviews
1st year student
I love our student union, I think it is a great space and a good bar, however the student union club could do with a bit of work, making it more accessible and having a range of music. The drinks are a good price, and food deals are welcomed!
1 year ago
1st year student
Campus is sociable and vibrant during the day and in the evening. There is lots to do throughout the week, but I do feel that this dies down quickly. I think overall it is very good, but that there could be better communication in showing students what is out there. rn
1 year ago
1st year student
I haven't been made aware of financial support offered, but I know there is it out there, so potentially it could be advertised more. I would say that the university is adding to rising prices of 1st year student accommodation- not helping living in a city where renting student flats is already very...
1 year ago
1st year student
I have had good communication with my student advisor, and have no complaints. However, I feel I have not needed to communicate lots with academic support, so maybe I am not the best representative. The same goes for welfare services.
1 year ago
1st year student
These are great! The main library could be slightly larger or have more seating areas, just as it is often difficult to find a seat. But I love all the other libraries available, and the fact that our main one is 24/7.
1 year ago
1st year student
I personally enjoy my course, but feel as if first year has been very broad. I understand all things need to be covered, but potentially there could be an evaluation of things everyone has learnt across Higher Scottish exams, A-level and international qualifications, to limit going over unnecessary ...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The English Literature and History course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
87%
low
Teaching on my course
87%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
76%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
92%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
88%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
90%
med
Learning opportunities
68%
low
Learning opportunities
68%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
77%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
71%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
71%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
74%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
46%
low
Assessment and feedback
65%
low
Assessment and feedback
65%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
78%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
76%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
63%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
59%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
52%
low
Academic support
87%
low
Academic support
87%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
81%
low
Organisation and management
68%
low
Organisation and management
68%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
73%
low
How well organised is your course?
63%
low
Learning resources
85%
low
Learning resources
85%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
81%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
91%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
83%
low
Student voice
61%
low
Student voice
61%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
39%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
78%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
66%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
55%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
75%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
43%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
88%
low
Teaching on my course
88%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
80%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
88%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
73%
low
Learning opportunities
73%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
78%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
74%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
71%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
88%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
53%
low
Assessment and feedback
62%
low
Assessment and feedback
62%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
74%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
74%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
60%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
50%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
88%
low
Academic support
88%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
92%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
85%
low
Organisation and management
76%
low
Organisation and management
76%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
77%
med
How well organised is your course?
76%
low
Learning resources
86%
low
Learning resources
86%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
79%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
93%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
86%
low
Student voice
64%
low
Student voice
64%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
43%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
78%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
70%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
52%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
75%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
53%
low
Student information
The English Literature and History course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | A* | |||||
| English Literature | A* | |||||
| Mathematics | A | |||||
| Government and Politics | A* | |||||
| Economics | A* | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| English Literature | A* | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| Religious Studies | A* | |||||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | A* | |||||
| Psychology | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took English Literature and History at University of Edinburgh.
Earnings after graduation
The English Literature and History course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Edinburgh graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£23k
First year after graduation
£28.5k
Third year after graduation
£30.7k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£24.8k
First year after graduation
£31k
Third year after graduation
£35.4k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to English Literature and History.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
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Discussions
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