Philosophy and English Literature MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Philosophy

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

VQ53

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

This joint programme gives you in-depth knowledge of Philosophy and English Literature.

In Years 1 and 2, you will take courses that introduce you to each subject area, and choose options from a range of disciplines.

At honours level (Years 3 and 4), you will select courses based on your interests so you can specialise in particular topics.

Combining literature with philosophy shows an openness to different ideas and perspectives which is valuable in many careers and the wider world.

Philosophy

Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. It is central to our understanding of the world and our interaction with it. 

Philosophy gives you the skills to think about great philosophical questions in a clear and systematic way.

While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, the study of philosophy focuses on: 

  • argument
  • critical enquiry
  • rigour in reasoning
  • clarity of expression, including making important distinctions

Find out what we study in Philosophy in this video.

English Literature

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 and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts from around the world and a variety of approaches to reading.

You will explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present, and many different topics and genres. 

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

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme rankings

  • In the UK's top 5 universities and 22nd in the world for philosophy in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
  • 3rd in the UK for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
  • 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

Rankings from QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583. Edinburgh was the centre of the Scottish Enlightenment and has a distinguished place in the history of philosophy.
  • You will learn at the heart of a UNESCO World City of Literature in the oldest department of literature in the UK, one of the world's longest established.
  • You will have a choice of more than 40 option courses in Years 3 and 4 in all the main branches of philosophy and in English literature.
  • Our world-leading academics are especially strong in:
    • philosophy of mind and cognition, language and science
    • ethics
    • epistemology
    • history of philosophy
  • The University has a strong historic connection to philosophy, with Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton among its former students.
  • Edinburgh has one of the UK’s largest philosophy departments and the Philosophy Society attracts high-profile speakers.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

There will likely be additional costs if you choose to study abroad in Year 3.

Accommodation and living costs

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

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Philosophy

In Years 1 and 2, you will take courses that introduce you to the main areas of philosophy. Year 1 courses will include topics in the following areas:

  • ethics
  • history of philosophy (Western and non-Western traditions)
  • logic
  • philosophy of science
English Literature 

You will take two Literary Studies courses which will introduce you to the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of the following core literary genres:

  • poetry
  • drama
  • prose

You will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and explore ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study. 

Option courses

You will complete your Year 1 studies with an option course chosen from a wide range of courses.

You can, for example, opt to study a language in its cultural context. This includes reading literature written in that language, starting with short texts.

We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university, and the majority are suitable for complete beginners.

Other options include, but are not limited to, courses in:

  • business, economics and informatics
  • politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
  • art and architectural history
  • history, classics and archaeology
  • Celtic and Scottish ethnology
  • linguistics and English language
  • philosophy, divinity and law
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Philosophy

You will take courses in areas such as:

  • Epistemology 
  • Metaphysics 
  • Philosophy of Language 
  • Philosophy of Mind
English Literature

You will study English literature in its cultural and historical contexts through a survey of literature from the late Medieval period to the mid-Twentieth Century.

These courses will explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures.

Option courses

You can choose to take courses in other subjects, such as sociology and politics, that cover topics related to philosophy or literature.

Alternatively, you can choose to learn or continue with a language. If you are interested in philosophy from a particular country or region, this will help you engage with primary sources in your honours years.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Philosophy

You will start to specialise. You can choose from a range of courses linked to our areas of expertise. 

In philosophy, these include topics related to areas of the subject, such as: 

  • language, cognition and science 
  • morality and value 
  • knowledge and reality 
  • history of philosophy 
English Literature

You will choose honours-level courses based on your interests and our expertise that explore:

  • different literary periods
  • various topics and genres within literature

Skills development options include two courses in Reading Theory.

These will introduce you to key issues, concepts, and 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.

The Reading Theory courses are particularly useful if you intend to write your dissertation in English Literature in Year 4.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will choose another four to six courses from a wide variety of honours-level courses. 

You will also complete either:

  • an independent dissertation on a philosophy or English literature topic of your choice
  • a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy
Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through international exchange programmes.

Depending on availability, you would take courses in philosophy at your host institution. If this is not possible, you would take an online course that covers major themes in philosophical methodology. This course will help you critically analyse and explore literature by key philosophers and present your arguments in essays and short assignments.

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Courses are taught through a mix of:
•    lectures
•    seminars
•    tutorials

In Year 1 and 2, philosophy courses are taught through lectures and tutorials.

In Year 3 and 4, philosophy courses are taught through seminars and tutorials.

You will also need to read a lot to support your studies.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a mix of:

  • coursework
  • exams
  • final assessments

Coursework is completed during the year.

Exams and assessments take place at the end of a teaching block. 

In Year 4, you will also complete either:

  • an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice in either philosophy or English literature
  • a coursework dissertation through two extended essays

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.

Support for your studies

Where you will study

Study location

When you are on campus, you can expect to spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area:

  • in class
  • in the library
  • in one of our many social and support spaces

The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.

Academic facilities

Libraries and collections

The University holds many literary treasures in its extensive collections. These include an extensive collection of:

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

Modern literature and poetry are well-represented, with the W.H. Auden collection and the libraries of:

  • Lewis Grassic Gibbon
  • Hugh MacDiarmid
  • Norman MacCaig

Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583. Our collections and library holdings in the subject are extensive.

Centres for research, teaching and outreach

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

The School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) is home to the Scottish Writing in the Nineteenth Century (SWINC) project and network. SWINC promotes awareness of the richness and diversity of Scottish writing and culture in the 19th century. 

Together with the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, LLC has been developing strengths in the Digital Humanities. For example, it has led both phases of LitLong, a digital transformation project to interactively map how Edinburgh has been used as a literary setting over five centuries.

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the University’s Central Area and explore our facilities on the Virtual Visit site. 

Take a virtual tour of the Central Area

Career paths

Skills and experience

Through this programme, you will gain literary, analytical and critical thinking skills. Graduating with a four-year master of arts degree from our University also shows intellectual resilience and flexibility.

As a graduate, you can show employers that you are able to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • meet deadlines on different types of projects, both independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

During your time with us, you will study a range of subjects, with the option to take courses in languages and other areas of the humanities and social sciences.

As you progress through your honours years (Years 3 and 4), you will specialise in:

  • different literary topics, periods or genres
  • different aspects of philosophy

This broad education gives you the foundations to excel in a range of career sectors, especially those that value transferable humanities skills.

Our alumni have gone on to careers, sometimes through graduate training schemes, in the following sectors:

  • private
  • public
  • not-for-profit
  • for-benefit

Industries graduates have worked in include:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • creative writing, publishing, culture, heritage, and the arts
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration

Careers Service

We have an excellent Careers Service. During your time with us, we will encourage you to improve your employability skills through peer initiatives where you can gain inspiration from our graduates.

The University 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

Further study

The research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, especially in your honours years, are valuable if you want to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer:

  • taught and research-led MSc degrees in English Literature and Philosophy
  • MSc degrees in Playwriting, Creative Writing and Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
  • interdisciplinary MSc programmes in Comparative Literature and Intermediality

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

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. It also promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

Founded in 1871, Edinburgh PhilSoc is the University's oldest continuously-running student society and is the largest and most active philosophy society in the UK.

Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) also supports LitPALS, the Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme for English Literature, where students across year groups help each other with study skills and topics.

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

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

We also have a fantastic Writer-in-Residence who organises talks and workshops by visiting writers and runs our annual writing prizes. 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

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World City of Literature, Edinburgh's resources for studying literature are exceptional.

For example, Edinburgh has a fantastic range of:

  • publishing houses
  • bookshops
  • theatres
  • cinemas

Many of these resources are located close to the University's Central Area, making them easy to access between classes. You will also study near the:

  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Edinburgh Central Library
  • Scottish Poetry Library
  • Scottish Storytelling Centre
  • Writers’ Museum

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

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 adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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