The University of Edinburgh
English Literature and History MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of English Literature and History MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Literature in English.

Overall student satisfaction
82 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Literature in English

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Literature in English at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24000 £23500 £27500
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £28000 £18500 - £29000 £22500 - £36000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Literature in English

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24192 £22529 £27200
25-75 percentile range £20437 - £27682 £17371 - £28059 £20570 - £34869

Course Description

Through the critical reading of texts of all kinds, our joint honours programme in English Literature and History helps you understand the world in which we live now 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

The Edinburgh experience 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

Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a fantastic historic and literary city which many greats of literature have called home.

We are the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, and one of the longest-established in the world.

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 English Literature and 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.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of English Literature and History MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

25% Business and public service associate professionals
25% Elementary occupations
25% Finance Professionals
15% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15% Managers, directors and senior officials

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study English Literature and History, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees English Literature and History MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Languages & Literature

    • #2 
    • #9 
    English
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 40 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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