English Language and Literature

Entry requirements

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth) in English Literature or a relevant cognate discipline in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Taught by internationally-renowned specialists, the programme will enhance your understanding of the relationship between language and literature, broaden your knowledge of English literary periods and issues, and trace the development and varieties of the English language.

The MLitt English Language and Literature programme provides graduate-level skills and training in a variety of areas of English literature and linguistics. The programme introduces students to specialist knowledge and scholarly approaches in the historical and critical analysis of English language and literature and is ideally suited for students who wish to solidify their skills and expertise in the subject, either in preparation for more intensive and specialist research or in preparation for other careers, including teaching.

You can take this degree as a standalone one-year or two-year part-time Master's degree or as a first step towards a PhD (subject to admission to a further degree programme either at Aberdeen or elsewhere). The programme provides an excellent pathway for students eager to study the subject in the context of the British university system, and students who wish to look more closely at the relationship between language and literature.

This programme helps develop your knowledge and build a set of marketable skills that will enhance your employability. English graduates find excellent opportunities across various sectors including education, research, marketing and journalism.

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and funding

We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities for our students. A full list of available funding opportunities is available on our Funding Database.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available here.

Alumni Discount Scheme - We are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from the University of Aberdeen. Please note, the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award. Learn more about the Aberdeen Alumni Discount here.