History of Art and English Literature

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

The history of art and English 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 option courses from a broad list of disciplines, then specialise as you progress through your honours years.

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

• develop a dissertation

• study abroad (Year 3)

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, 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 the late Middle Ages to the present, and many different topics and genres.

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, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

Programme benefits

• We are the oldest department of English literature in the UK and one of the oldest in the world.

• 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.

• You will work alongside leading academics, many of whom are involved in curating at major international art institutions.

• Our range of teaching specialisms is one of the broadest in the UK, including Asian, Islamic, Mesoamerican, and European premodern and contemporary art, and the global art market. In English Literature, we have expertise in many different genres and periods of literature written in English from around the world.

• You will have the opportunity to study abroad.