English Literature: Literature and Society: Enlightenment, Romantic and Victorian MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: English

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

Our MSc in Literature and Society: Enlightenment, Romantic and Victorian gives you the opportunity to engage with a range of topics in literary study, centred on the literary history of England, Scotland and Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This taught masters programme includes two core seminar courses in literature, one per semester. These examine how literary genres in prose and verse developed alongside significant shifts in intellectual, social and political contexts from the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 to the end of the Victorian era.

In this time period, key developments include:

  • the Enlightenment, the invention and elaboration of modern ‘liberal’ ideas of society
  • Romantic conceptions of nationality and national history
  • the challenge to these ideas presented by industrial society and a global imperial polity

Our core courses in literary studies will cover the ways in which novels and poems mediated, reflected and resisted these and other developments.

Alongside these courses, you will also take one option course in both semesters, choosing from a range of options. 

You will also study research skills and methods in both semesters to help prepare you for your masters dissertation, an independent piece of research of 15,000 words. For your dissertation, you will pick a topic that aligns with your own interests and typically complete the writing between April and August. 

Why Edinburgh

Literature has been taught at our university for over 250 years, making us the home of the oldest department of English Literature in the world.

We are a community of writers and readers, and there are lots of opportunities to write and share your own work across the University, such as ‘The Student,’ the UK’s oldest student newspaper (founded in 1887 by Robert Louis Stevenson) and annual student writing prizes.

The University also hosts the prestigious James Tait Black Awards, established in 1919, and recognised as one of the oldest literary prizes in Britain.

As a UNESCO World City of Literature, Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study prose, poetry and drama. The city offers exceptional resources for literary study, from the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland and Scottish Poetry Library.

Study options

There are two study options for this programme, both starting in September of the academic year. 

Full time

If you take the full-time study option, you will complete the programme in one academic year. 

You will take one core course in literary studies in Semester 1 (September to December) and one in Semester 2 (January to May). Each semester, you will also take a course in research skills and methods, and choose an optional course from a wide range.

You will submit your dissertation (15,000 words) around 10 weeks after Semester 2 ends. 

Part time

If you take the part-time study option, you will complete the programme in two academic years. 

In your first year, you will typically take two core courses in literary studies as well as two courses in research skills and methods across Semester 1 and 2. 

In your second year, you will choose two optional courses (one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2) and submit your dissertation (15,000 words).

What's the best type of masters programme for you?

Programme rankings

  • 3rd in the UK for English Language and Literature
  • 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts and Humanities

Rankings from QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Join the oldest department of English Literature in the world
  • Learn in the heart of Scotland's capital - a UNESCO World City of Literature
  • Develop a thorough understanding of 18th and 19th century literary writing in Britain and Ireland
  • Explore fantastic libraries and collections
  • Gain transferable skills in writing, communication, project management and text analysis

Moving to Scotland to pursue an MSc in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh was one of the best decisions I ever made. Beyond the abundant resources provided by numerous libraries and archives, including the National Library of Scotland, as well as academic events, conferences, and a vibrant student community, this is mainly thanks to my excellent lecturers, courses, and the University’s staff, who fostered a stimulating academic environment for my development.

Julia Voigt MSc Literature and Society, 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in English literature or a relevant discipline.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The programme will be taught in seminars over two semesters, after which you will write an independently researched dissertation.

You will complete:

  • 2 core courses, each worth 20 credits
  • 2 compulsory courses in research skills and methods, each worth 20 credits
  • 2 option courses, each worth 20 credits

Dissertation

The final element of the programme is your dissertation, a piece of independent research - 15,000 words (worth 60 credits) - written with the advice and support of a designated supervisor.

Compulsory courses

The core courses in literary studies will cover the periods 1688 to 1815 and 1815 to 1900 respectively.

You can find out more about these courses, and browse indicative reading lists for them, on our Course Catalogue. The catalogue is for the current academic year, and may be subject to change.

Option courses

There is a broad range of option courses to choose from every year. Typically, they include (but are not limited to):

  • The Reign of Terror: Fear and Loathing in Romantic Literature
  • Modern Love: Victorian Poetry and Prose
  • Fairy Tales
  • Digital Humanities for Literary Studies
  • Green Thoughts: Landscape, Environment and Literature
  • The Long Summer: Edwardian Texts and Contexts 1900–1910
  • The Novel in the Romantic Period: Gender, Gothic, and the Nation
  • Great Victorian Novel
  • Illness Narratives through History

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Learning outcomes

When you complete our programme, you will have gained: 

  • knowledge and understanding of 18th and 19th century literary writing in Britain and Ireland in relation to its social, political and intellectual contexts
  • practice in reading literary texts in relation to a range of theoretical and philosophical ideas
  • a grounding in the research methods of literary studies

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Where you will study

Academic facilities

The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films and other media.

It is also the home of the University's Centre for Research Collections which brings together:

  • more than 400,000 rare books
  • six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
  • thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects

The Centre's literary treasures include:

  • an exceptional collection of early Shakespeare quartos and other early modern printed plays
  • the Corson Collection of works by and about Sir Walter Scott

Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre and Computing Labs in LLC.

Centres for research, teaching and outreach

We are home to the SWINC (Scottish Writing in the Nineteenth Century) 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 Digital Humanities research in the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Career opportunities

Studying English Literature shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

As you gain transferable skills in communication, project management, critical thinking, independent research and analysis, our MSc in Literature and Society is an ideal primer for a range of careers. 

Many of our graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, including: 

  • communications, marketing, advertising, and public relations
  • journalism, broadcasting, and media
  • creative writing, publishing, culture, heritage, and the arts
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, and civil service
  • education, teaching, outreach, advocacy, and training

Our programme will also help you to refine your research skills and identify possible topics for advanced research in English Literature, potentially leading to an academic career.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Find out more about our PhD in English Literature

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.

Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we will make as many offers as possible to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.

We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding or a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.

Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Selection deadlines

RoundApply byReceive decision by
1Monday 15 December 2025Thursday 19 March 2026
2Monday 4 May 2026Tuesday 30 June 2026

After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open. As this is not guaranteed, however, you are advised to apply by the application deadlines above.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

Living in Edinburgh while studying for my MSc in English Literature has been a truly enriching experience: not only because of the city’s historical and aesthetic importance, cultural events, and proximity to nature, but specifically due to the traces of Scotland’s great writers and literary heritage you can find around every corner in monuments, landmarks, museums, libraries, archives, bookshops, and literary festivals. 

Julia Voigt MSc Literature and Society graduate, 2025

Julia, who provided us with this quote about her experience of living and studying in Edinburgh, is originally from Germany. While studying with us, she was the Postgraduate Taught School Representative for the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC). 

Together with Programme Representatives, Postgraduate Representatives are your voice in the university - sharing your feedback to continually improve the student experience for everyone. Their roles are voluntary, and supported by the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA).

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs, and promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

Across the University, there are lots of opportunities to get involved in:

  • reading and writers' groups
  • poetry slams
  • creative writing and publishing
  • student theatre

We also have a fantastic Writer in Residence. They organise our annual writing prizes for students.

Throughout the year, their drop-in sessions give you the chance to:

  • share your work
  • get feedback
  • meet other student writers
  • get inspiration and prompts for new work

They also regularly host talks and workshops, many of which feature guest writers.

Over the years, our Writers in Residence have included some of Scottish literature's most significant contemporary authors, such as:

  • Jenni Fagan
  • Liz Lochhead
  • Sorley Maclean
  • Norman MacCaig
  • Michael Pedersen
  • Alan Warner

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

A UNESCO World City of Literature, Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study, write, publish, discuss and perform prose, poetry and drama.

Our buildings are close to the National Library of Scotland, one of only six copyright libraries in the UK and Ireland. Its collections include the John Murray Archive, a treasure trove of over 200 years of the John Murray publishing history crucial for studies in Romanticism, book history, bibliography and archives.

We are also near:

  • Edinburgh Central Library
  • Scottish Poetry Library
  • Scottish Storytelling Centre
  • Writers’ Museum
  • a fantastic range of publishing houses, bookshops, and theatres

We have strong links with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which annually welcomes around 1,000 authors to our literary city.

Find out more about living and studying in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

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