Overview

You will explore how writers and other cultural figures have sought to reimagine and reinvent what literature can do, how they have responded to changing social and political contexts, and how their work offers both insights into the past and ideas that speak to the present moment.

Your studies will take you through a broad and fascinating field, from the originators of literary modernism – including figures such as T. S. Eliot, James Joyce and Virginia Woolf – to late twentieth-century postmodernists and contemporary writers who continue to explore innovative ways of writing about our changing world.

We’ll explore both canonical and lesser studied writers, with the opportunity to engage with a wide range of theoretical contexts, including:

critical race studies
ecocriticism and animal studies
feminist theory
Marxist theory
medical humanities
psychoanalysis
posthumanism
postcritique
queer theory

Career opportunities

Studying English Literature shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

By completing this English Literature - Literature and Modernity (1900 to the Present) programme at The University of Edinburgh , you will gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of literary history, culture and theory from the start of the twentieth century to the present.

You will also be able to develop a range of advanced, transferable skills, such as:

research
critical thinking and evaluation
writing and communication
problem-solving
creative thinking
project and time management
public speaking and presenting
digital literacy

The MSc in Literature and Modernity an excellent primer for a range of careers, and previous graduates have gone on to work in:

communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
research and academia
education and teaching
journalism, broadcasting and media
publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
translating and interpreting
leisure, tourism and travel

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Global Modernisms: Inter/National Responses to Modernity

Decadence, Dazzle, Dissent: Aestheticism and Cultural Politics in the Long Twentieth Century

Global LGBT Fiction

Postcolonial Writing

Desire and Writing: Psychoanalysis, Literature, Criticism

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-14 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-30 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Literature British Studies View 79 other Masters in British Studies in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32000 GBP / year

≈ 32000 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

13700 GBP / year

≈ 13700 GBP / year

Additional Details

Rest of UK Full time: £13700
Rest of UK/Scotland Part Time: £6,850
International Part Time: £16,000

Living costs

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

725 - 1167 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for English Literature - Literature and Modernity (1900 to the Present).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Career opportunities

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Edinburgh

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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