University of Aberdeen United Kingdom

English and Philosophy, MA

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The MA English and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen offers you a unique opportunity to explore the fundamental questions of human existence and expression, blending literary analysis with philosophical inquiry. This programme is ideal for students passionate about understanding texts, ideas, and the human condition, equipping you with advanced critical thinking and analytical skills. You will delve into diverse literary periods and philosophical traditions, developing a sophisticated understanding of how literature and philosophy intersect and inform one another, preparing you for a wide range of intellectual and professional pursuits.

This full-time, on-campus MA, typically studied over four years, provides a comprehensive curriculum that balances breadth and depth. You will engage with core texts and concepts in both disciplines, with flexibility to specialise through optional courses in areas like Renaissance literature, modernism, or specific philosophical branches. In your final year, you will undertake a significant dissertation, allowing you to conduct in-depth research in English or Philosophy. You will graduate with highly transferable skills in argumentation, interpretation, and complex problem-solving, making you a competitive candidate for careers in education, publishing, policy, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This MA program in English and Philosophy offers a comprehensive exploration of both disciplines. Students will engage with foundational philosophical concepts in areas like experience, knowledge, and reality, alongside developing essential academic writing skills. The curriculum progresses through various literary periods and themes, from Shakespeare and medieval writings to modernism and American literature, culminating in independent research through dissertations in either English or Philosophy.

1 YEAR 1

Experience, knowledge and reality Compulsory
Academic writing for divinity, history & philosophy Compulsory
Getting started at the university of aberdeen Compulsory
Acts of reading Compulsory
Experience, knowledge and reality Compulsory

2 YEAR 2

Encounters with shakespeare Compulsory
The tragedy of knowledge Compulsory

3 YEAR 3

Page and stage: renaissance writings 1500-1640
Knights, virgins and viragos: chaucer and medieval writing
Romanticism
Fallen women and self-made men
Bildungsroman to alien invasion
Britain and the 19th century world
Sympathy for the devil: scottish short stories
Haunted texts
Modernism: make it new
American voices: self and society, 1850-1930
Queer times
Art and atrocity: representations of violence and trauma
Images adequate to our predicament: art for the anthropocene
Creative writing: creativity and craft
Celtic encounters: the gaelic world in irish and scottish literature

4 YEAR 4

English dissertation
Philosophy dissertation

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 112,461.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Food & Groceries USD 2,256.00 - USD 3,867.00
Transport USD 725.00 - USD 1,009.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,386.00 - USD 1,732.00
Estimated Total USD 4,367.00 - USD 6,262.00

Living cost estimates are based on Old Aberdeen campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

97%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Architecture & Urban PlanningEdTech & E-LearningEducation Policy & AdministrationFilm & Television ProductionHealth Technology & Digital HealthIndustrial & Offshore ConstructionJournalism & ReportingMedia Production & EditingMental Health & CounselingTalent & Artist Management

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Elite linguistics

European commission

Global language solution

NHS

University of Aberdeen

Warner Bros

Why Study English and Philosophy, MA at University of Aberdeen

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Aberdeen in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about English and Philosophy, MA at University of Aberdeen

Can I work while studying?

International students in degree courses can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is needed.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet English language requirements, you can choose from several tests. For example, a TOEFL overall score of 78 is needed, or an IELTS overall score of 6.0.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates may pursue careers as writers, educators, business analysts, or in publishing.

What will I actually study in this course?

English and Philosophy at Aberdeen combines all the advantages of the UK’s second most highly-rated research hub for English literature, language and creative writing, with a fascinating exploration of how we as humans approach the ‘big questions’ of fundamental importance to us throughout the ages to the present day. The intellectual skills you will develop and their transferability will make you a very attractive graduate

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The MA in English and Philosophy at Aberdeen has an intake in September. Be sure to prepare your application in advance to meet all deadlines.
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