MA History of Art and Scottish Literature

UCAS code: VQ35

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Edinburgh College of Art

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA History of Art and Scottish Literature

You will study history of art and Scottish literature in equal depth with this joint honours programme.

History of art

History of art will introduce you to art from different periods and world cultures.

You will:

learn how, and for whom, works of art were made
situate artworks within visual and material culture more broadly
explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpreted

In Years 3 and 4 you will have the opportunity to:

specialise in particular aspects of the field
develop independent research projects
complete a dissertation

In Year 3 you will have the opportunity to study abroad.

Scottish literature

Studying Scottish literature will develop your:

critical skills
analytic skills
linguistic skills
creative skills

You will study a broad range of texts and different approaches to reading. Through poetry, drama and prose, you will gain an understanding of the cultural contexts of all major periods of Scottish literature, from the late Middle ages to the present.

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, which is an essential attribute in many careers and the global marketplace.

Why Edinburgh?

We are the oldest department of literature in the UK and one of the longest-established in the world. We are proud to be based in the heart of the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a city that many of Scotland's greatest writers have called home. 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 and Galleries of Scotland, the city's resources for studying art and literature are exceptional.

The history of art and Scottish literature complement each other well. Both subjects benefit from shared methodologies and historical contexts, and many ideas and movements are shared across the visual arts and literature.

Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to your core subjects, you will choose optional courses from a broad list of disciplines, then specialise as you progress through your honours years.

What you will study

Year 1

In Year 1 you will study History of Art 1, covering the period from the fall of the Roman Empire until the end of the Counter-Reformation, including non-Western material.

You will take two literary studies courses exploring the nature and purpose of literary study. You will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and develop the skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose.

Optional courses

You will also choose from a wide range of optional courses offered by the University of Edinburgh.

For example, you can choose to learn a language that complements the art and literature you are most interested in. We offer one of the widest range of languages of any UK university - the majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.

Year 2

In Year 2 you will study History of Art 2, which covers the 18th century to the present day.

You will be introduced to the study of Scottish literature in its cultural and historical contexts, focusing on a selection of major periods. These courses explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures.

Optional courses

You will also choose optional courses from a wide range offered by the University.

You can opt to continue studying a subject you took in Year 1, or choose to do something completely different.

Year 3

In Year 3 you will:

choose from a selection of honours-level history of art and Scottish literature courses
complete a history of art independent project

Skills development options include two courses in reading theory, which will help you prepare if you choose to do your dissertation in Scottish literature in Year 4. Between them, the courses will introduce you to:

key issues
concepts
developments in literary theory and criticism

You will be encouraged to reflect on the critical reading skills you have gained in your pre-honours years, and given the concepts and vocabulary to develop these further.

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3.

Year 4

In Year 4 you will select courses that build on your subject choices of Year 3.

You will also write a dissertation in either history of art or Scottish literature.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Most teaching takes place in the University's Central Area or within the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

Based around the Main Library, the Central Area has excellent:

computing and audiovisual resources
support services
social spaces
collections

Literary treasures in the University's collections include:

the Corson Collection of works by and about Sir Walter Scott
the libraries of Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Hugh MacDiarmid and Norman MacCaig

Many of the University's special collections are digitised and available online from our excellent resource centre, computing labs and dedicated study spaces in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

Museums and literary venues

You will be able to take advantage of Edinburgh's galleries, museums and literary venues, including:

the four National Galleries of Scotland
Scottish Poetry Library
Writers' Museum
Scottish Storytelling Centre
National Library of Scotland

Centres for research, teaching and outreach

We are home to the SWINC project and network, which promotes awareness of the richness and diversity of Scottish writing and culture in the 19th century.

We are the Scottish base of The Collected Letters of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle, Duke-Edinburgh edition, one of the major editorial projects in Victorian studies of the last half-century.

We are collaborators in the Edinburgh Environmental Humanities Network and have developing strengths in the digital humanities. For example, we have led both phases of LitLong, a digital transformation project to interactively map how Edinburgh has been used as a literary setting over five centuries.

Creative arts community

We have multiple student societies for art, literature and drama enthusiasts.

Our large creative arts community has lots to offer, including:

reading and writers' groups
poetry slams
publishing opportunities
peer-assisted learning
a fantastic Writer-in-Residence

Annual student writing prizes include awards for prose and verse in Lowland Scots vernacular.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Study abroad

You can apply to study in Europe and North America through international exchange schemes.

See the student exchanges section of the Edinburgh Global website for details.

Student Exchanges

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

You will be taught through:

lectures
seminars
individual supervisions
museum and gallery visits

In addition to classes, and to get the most out of your courses, you will need to read widely.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through:

coursework
exams
final assessments

Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams and assessments take place at the end of a teaching block.

In Years 3 and 4 you will complete at least one independent project and a longer dissertation.

Career opportunities

This programme prepares you for a range of careers, including:

curatorships in galleries and museums
art journalism
art dealing
tourism
graphics
advertising
heritage management
auctioneering
publishing and media

Some graduates use their skills and experience for:

careers in management or teaching
further study

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAAB by S5, or AAAA by S6.)
A Levels: AAB. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAA.)
IB: 36 points with 665 at HL. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from 37 (666).)

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 at B.
A Levels: English Literature or combined English at B.
IB: HL: English at 5.

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 language 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.)