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Image from Scottish Literature
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Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature
Image from Scottish Literature

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

Scottish Literature

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Scottish Literature 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 (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: Q531

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

Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature. For centuries, it has been the home and muse of many great writers.

On this programme, you will 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 your studies.

Studying 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, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

Why Edinburgh

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

We are the oldest department of literature in the UK, one of the longest-established in the world.

Our Writers in Residence have included some of Scottish literature's most significant contemporary authors.

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

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 literary study, including works of literature written in English from around the world. You will have the chance to choose from classes in a wide variety of other subjects and disciplines. This may enable you to change or widen your focus by, for example, moving onto a joint honours programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. They will be tailored to your interests in specific topics, periods or genres of literature from Scotland.

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 Scotland's capital, 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

• Scottish literature

Start date

14 September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

University of Edinburgh student 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 at University of Edinburgh

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from University of Edinburgh students who took the Scottish Literature course - or another course in the same subject area.

Literature in English

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

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

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

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

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

93%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

81%

low

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

73%

low

How well organised is your course?

63%

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

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

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

Student information

See who's studying at University of Edinburgh. These students are taking Scottish Literature or another course from the same subject area.

Scottish literature
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female71%Male26%Other3%
Where students come from
International14%UK86%
Number of students35
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
English LiteratureB
HistoryB
BiologyB
Drama and Theatre StudiesA
Film StudiesA
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

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

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from University of Edinburgh graduates who took Scottish Literature - or another course in the same subject area.

English studies

Earnings

£23k

First year after graduation

£28.5k

Third year after graduation

£30.7k

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.

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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