Scottish Literature, MA (Hons)

Edinburgh stands as the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a vibrant hub that has inspired numerous luminaries in Scottish, English, and global literature.This programme fosters critical, analytical, linguistic, and creative abilities through engagement with diverse texts and interpretive methods. Beginning with foundational skills in close reading, students specialise in Scottish Literature, examining its cultural contexts from the late Middle Ages to the present. Participants select honours courses based on personal interests in specific themes, eras, or genres. Studying literature equips individuals to engage meaningfully in society, promoting openness to diverse ideas—vital for various careers and a global market.Edinburgh offers an exceptional environment for literary pursuits, as the UK's oldest department of English and Scottish Literature. Notable Writers-in-Residence have included Jenni Fagan, Liz Lochhead, Sorley Maclean, Norman MacCaig, Michael Pedersen, and Alan Warner. With access to resources like the University's Special Collections and the National Library of Scotland, the programme is highly flexible, encompassing global English literature, optional language learning, and interdisciplinary electives.