MA (Honours) English Language

Introduction

No prior knowledge of the linguistics of English is assumed at the beginning of the course, although if you have such knowledge, it will certainly stand you in good stead. The aim of the department is to produce graduates of the highest calibre who have had the opportunity to study a range of disciplines in depth, covering both the structure of the modern language and its historical development.

Degrees Available

As in all the ancient Scottish universities, the standard Edinburgh undergraduate degree course is a four-year course leading to the degree of MA (Honours). We feel that this offers students an excellent opportunity to study their chosen subjects in real depth, and offers a much fuller undergraduate student experience than the three-year degree of most universities in England. You could choose to study English Language as a subsidiary part of most Edinburgh degrees, or, you could choose to graduate in either: MA Single Honours in English Language or MA Joint Honours in English Language and another subject (see Degree Finder)

Degree structure

In all Honours degrees, English Language is studied for 4 years. In a Joint Honours degree the other subject is also usually studied for 4 years. In a Single Honours degree, a subsidiary subject (from a wide range of options) is followed in the first 2 years and then all Honours work in years 3 and 4 concentrates on English Language.

How to apply

Applications are made through UCAS. Details of the UCAS handbook and forms can be obtained from UK schools and colleges. Applications from candidates who are not based in the UK are very welcome, too. More information on the admissions procedure for international students can be obtained from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (the department is part of this College and the College is responsible for all admissions - click on the link to go to the College's website). If you have any queries about admissions, please contact the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (the College's website has lots more information about admissions and contact details).

Typical offers for undergraduate courses are: SCE Higher BBBB (at one sitting, or BBBBB or ABBB on more than one sitting),GCE A Level BBB in any combination of subjects (joint degrees may have requirements as to specific subjects), or equivalent grades in other qualifications (International Baccalaureate, school-leaving certificates from other countries, etc.). For those applicants who are taking or who have GCE A Levels, we welcome candidates with an A level in English Language, but this is by no means a formal requirement.

For more information about our courses and the University, you could also consult the undergraduate prospectus.

After Graduation

Graduates in English Language pursue a wide range of careers, including the traditional careers for Arts graduates, such as the Civil Service, management, teaching (at all levels at home and abroad - where further qualifications may be necessary), speech and language therapy, librarianship, lexicography, finance and banking, industry, management and computing. An increasing number of students go on to postgraduate study in English Language and related linguistic fields, either at Edinburgh or elsewhere (for students with very good undergraduate degrees, research studentships and scholarships are often available, both in the UK and abroad). Please see opportunities for postgraduate study

Visiting the University

EL1 (first year)

The first year course considers the shape of present day English (and we also consider Scots), including regional and social variation and the description of the sounds and structure of the language. English is also covered from a historical perspective, where we consider what we can discover about what English and Scots were like at earlier stages. Course requirements are 2 assignments, 1 class exam, 1 essay and a degree exam.

Course booklet (pdf)

EL2 (second year)

In the second year, the structure of the language at earlier stages of its development is studied in more depth, as is the syntax, semantics and phonology of Present-Day English. Students also study stylistics, in which we look at the relationship between form and effect, particularly in written texts, using prose and poetry examples, and Scots is also investigated further. Assessment takes the form of 2 essays, 1 assignment, 1 class exam and a degree exam.

Course booklet (Word)

Honours (third & fourth years)

In the 3rd and 4th years of a degree (known as 'Honours'), students choose from a wide range of options. Single Honours students must take 10 courses and write a Dissertation on a topic relating to English Language in which they have an interest. There are variations in Joint Degrees as to how many courses from each subject are taken and some Joint Honours students can also elect to write a dissertation.

Handbook (Word)