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Image from Scottish Literature and Classics
Image from Scottish Literature and Classics
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Image from Scottish Literature and Classics

Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

Scottish Literature and Classics

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Scottish Literature and Classics course at University of Edinburgh.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

A,B,B

ABB. Required subjects: A levels: English Literature or combined English at B.

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,535 per year
Scotland£1,820 per year
Wales£9,535 per year
Northern Ireland£9,535 per year
Channel Islands£9,535 per year
Republic of Ireland£9,535 per year
EU£28,000 per year
International£28,000 per year

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: QQH8

Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its Scottish Literature and Classics course.

Many of the basic concepts underlying Western society found expression for the first time in ancient Greek or Latin. Together with English and Scots, they are the languages of many highly influential literary works.

Our joint honours programme explores the cultural contexts of Scottish Literature from the late Middle Ages to the present, and the highly influential scholarship and literature of the classical world.

Studying a combination of literature and classics helps us understand the world in which we live now, as well as shedding light on the past. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than our own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

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.

Classics

Classics will introduce you to the history, cultures, languages, and literatures of some of the world's most important civilisations.

You can choose to take a Greek, Latin or non-language pathway through this side of the programme.

Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study, write, publish, discuss and perform prose, poetry and drama.

We are the oldest department of English and Scottish Literature in the UK, 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

From the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland, the city's resources for studying literature and classics are exceptional.

This programme is very flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to studying Scottish Literature and Classics, you will choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years.

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

• Classical studies

• Scottish literature

Start date

September 8, 2025

Application deadline

January 29, 2025

University of Edinburgh reviews

(4)
Based on 115 reviews from University of Edinburgh's students and alumni
5 star
30%
4 star
46%
3 star
16%
2 star
8%
1 star
0%
All 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!

(4)

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

(4)

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...

(3)

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.

(5)

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.

(5)

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 ...

(4)

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 Scottish Literature and Classics 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

Literature in English
Classics

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

59%

low

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

89%

low

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

79%

low

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

83%

low

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

70%

low

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

60%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

55%

low

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

70%

low

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

29%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

69%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

64%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

47%

low

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

31%

low

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

40%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

79%

low

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

76%

low

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

55%

low

How well organised is your course?

48%

low

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

76%

low

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

92%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

83%

low

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

32%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

69%

low

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

53%

low

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

43%

low

Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.

50%

low

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

35%

low

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

81%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

92%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

83%

low

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

91%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

75%

low

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

78%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

72%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

85%

low

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

61%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

69%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

72%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

61%

low

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

42%

low

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

51%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

93%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

77%

low

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

73%

med

How well organised is your course?

67%

low

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

73%

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?

89%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

38%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

85%

med

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

72%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

53%

low

Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.

67%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

72%

med

Student information

The Scottish Literature and Classics 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.

Classical studies
Scottish literature
Mode of study
Full-time99%Part-time1%
Gender ratio
Female60%Male40%
Where students come from
International12%UK88%
Student performance
2:1 or above94%
First year dropout rate8%
Number of students475
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
HistoryA
Classical CivilisationA
English LiteratureA
LatinA
MathematicsA
Mode of study
Full-time95%Part-time5%
Gender ratio
Female67%Male30%Other2%
Where students come from
International12%UK88%
Number of students45
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
English LiteratureA
HistoryB
SpanishA*
Classical CivilisationA
GeographyA
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

We have no information about graduates who took Scottish Literature and Classics at University of Edinburgh.

Earnings after graduation

The Scottish Literature and Classics 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.

English studies
History and archaeology

Earnings

£20.1k

First year after graduation

£27k

Third year after graduation

£28.3k

Fifth year after graduation

Earnings

£21.9k

First year after graduation

£29.2k

Third year after graduation

£31.8k

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 Scottish Literature and Classics.

Source: LEO

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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