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Religious Studies and Scottish Literature at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Course summary

This joint honours programme combines the vibrant study of religions with the excitement of Scottish literature. Religious studies Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field focusing on religious beliefs and practices and their relationships with the wider world. We take as much interest in the groups and people who practise religion as their gods, deities, ancestors and spirits. You will:

  • study the concepts and emotions which underpin religious belief and practice, and their role and function in culture and society
  • cover historical and contemporary material
Examining literature Reading and writing are key practices in religion and literature. This programme introduces you to major texts and gives you the tools and critical skills to understand and interpret them. You will:
  • gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose
  • read works of literature from Scotland and around the world, encountering different ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study
  • use a range of methods to examine where religious ideas illuminate literature and where religion is mediated in texts
  • study texts ranging from canonical writings, such as Buddhist sutras and the Hebrew Bible, to classic and modern fiction
Why Edinburgh The city of Edinburgh contains many museums, galleries and cultural sites, which broaden and deepen student learning. Home of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and the first UNESCO World City of Literature, its literary highlights include:
  • the Scottish Poetry Library
  • the Writers' Museum
  • the Scottish Storytelling Centre
  • outstanding holdings in the National Library of Scotland
Many greats of Scottish, English and world literature have called Edinburgh home. Over the past half century, Writers in Residence at the University have included:
  • Jenni Fagan
  • Liz Lochhead
  • Sorley Maclean
  • Norman MacCaig
  • Michael Pedersen
  • Alan Warner
Programme benefits Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, you will study your core subjects and will also choose option courses from a broad list of disciplines. You will specialise as you progress through your honours years. Studying religion and literature prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and the global marketplace.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V6Q3
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/ug/V6Q3

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/ug/V6Q3

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English AdvancedTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English ProficiencyTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic65Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Scotland £1820 Year 1
EU £28000 Year 1
International £28000 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - Due to UK Government announcements in relation to RUK Undergraduate Fees the UoE UG RUK fee will be confirmed later in 2024. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Religious Studies and Scottish Literature at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS