English Literature and Classics

English literature and classics is an ambitious pairing that places the literary traditions of the modern world alongside the foundational texts of ancient Greece and Rome. English literature encompasses the vast range of poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction written in English from the medieval period to the contemporary, examined through close reading, historical contextualisation and critical theory. Classics brings into focus the Homeric epics, Athenian tragedy, Roman poetry and the philosophical and historical writings that have shaped every subsequent literary tradition.

Studying them together illuminates both fields more richly than either could achieve alone.

At Edinburgh, this four-year programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and experience literary scholarship in a different academic context. You will read English literature across periods and forms, developing skills in close textual analysis, argument and critical writing, and you will engage with classical texts in translation and, depending on your choices, in ancient Greek or Latin. Edinburgh's strength in both disciplines means you will be taught by scholars working at the frontier of their fields, and the combination of traditions you study gives you an unusually wide cultural and intellectual perspective.

The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates pursue careers in publishing, journalism, education, the arts, heritage, law, public service, and academic research. The ability to read carefully, argue precisely and write clearly is valued across all these fields, and the classical dimension of the degree adds a cultural depth that distinguishes graduates in competitive environments. Many continue to postgraduate study in English literature, classical studies, ancient history, comparative literature or creative writing.