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Edinburgh
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Philosophy and English Literature
- MA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 14/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Central area campus
Course summary
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:
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argument
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critical enquiry
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rigour in reasoning
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clarity of expression, including making important distinctions
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.
Programme benefits
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Our world-leading academics are especially strong in:
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philosophy of mind and cognition, language and science
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ethics
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epistemology
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history of philosophy
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The University has a strong historic connection to philosophy, with Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton among its former students.
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Edinburgh has one of the UK’s largest philosophy departments and the Philosophy Society attracts high-profile speakers.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU has vacancies
- does not have vacancies
- does not have vacancies
- International has vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- Northern Ireland does not have vacancies
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
Apply by
14 January
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.
Application codes
- Course code:
- VQ53
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - A*A*A - AAB
A*A*A - AAB. Required subjects: A levels: English Literature or combined English at B.
Scottish Higher - AAAA
AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: English at B.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 - 34 points
from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: English at 5.
Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - ABB
ABB. Required subjects: A levels: English Literature or combined English at B.
Scottish Higher - ABBB
ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: English at B.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: English at 5.
Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | 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) | 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. |
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C;
GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £29600 | Year 1 |
| International | £29600 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2026, the tuition fees will be £9,790. This is subject to Parliamentary approval and is an increase of £255 on the fee rate for academic year 2025-2026.
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
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
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Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Have a question about undergraduate study?
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 1000
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