Philosophy and English Literature, MA (Hons)

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 perspective which is valuable in many careers and the wider world.PhilosophyPhilosophy 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

Philosophy at EdinburghThe University has a strong historic connection to the subject, counting 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.English LiteratureBased in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK and one of the longest-established in the world. Through this programme you will gain literary and linguistic skills and develop your creativity and critical thinking for close reading of literature. You will explore a range of texts from around the world and different approaches to reading them. Our courses cover a wide range of literary topics, periods and genres.

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