MA degree module catalogue
Our MA courses let you choose from a wide selection of modules
Our undergraduate MA degree follows the traditional Scottish degree structure and you will study more than one subject in both your first two years (Levels 1 and 2) even if you are applying for a single Honours degree (such as MA (Hons) English).
How to choose your modules
Each degree has its own rules on the number and selection of modules you are able to take.
You should read the appropriate page for your course before making your selection to avoid disappointment.
You can also refer to the full MA Degree Rules and Regulations document.
For Level 1 your adviser of studies will work with you during a meeting to choose your modules. For Levels 2,3, and 4 you should complete the appropriate form after talking to your adviser.
Module choice forms for MA courses
As Humanities scholars, we deal with all aspects of human experience. Inevitably that means that some of the material we study has the potential to cause worry or distress.
If you have concerns about the content of any of our modules at any point, please speak to the module organiser who will be happy to answer your questions.
English, Film, and Creative Writing modules 2022-23
English - Level 1
Semester 1
- Human Futures - HU11001 (highly recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Introduction to Literary Study - EN11001 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Reading the Screen: An Introduction to Film Studies - EN11003 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
Semester 2
- Approaches to Reading - EN12014 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Making Memory - HU12003 (EVENING workshop available)
English - Level 2
Semester 1
- Literature and Society - EN22002 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- National Cinemas Post-1945 - EN22006 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Gender, Sexuality, Culture - HU21001
Semester 2
- Literature in Context - EN21004 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Classic Hollywood Cinema - EN21003 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Practicing Creative Writing - EN22007 (recommended for Creative Writing)
English - Level 3
Semester 1
- Writing Creative Essays - EN31028 (recommended for Creative Writing) (HYBRID English-CW)
- Film Art - EN32020 (Film)
- Reading Fiction before 1900 - EN32022
- Modern Drama and Performance EN31022
- Multi-Ethnic American Fiction - EN31006 (evening available)
Semester 2
- The African Novel - EN31026
- American Literature - EN32001 (pre-1900)
- Creative Practice Research in the Humanities - HU32002 (HYBRID English-CW)
- Medievalism at the Movies EN32034 (HYBRID English-Film)
English - Level 4
Semester 1
- Dissertation - EN41011
- American Modernism - EN42010
- Shakespeare: Page, Stage, Screen EN41028 (pre-1900) (HYBRID English-Film)
- Caribbean Literature - EN41035
- Nature Writing EN42030 (Creative Writing) (evening available)
- Creative Practice Dissertation HU40001 (year-long)
Semester 2
- Dissertation - EN41011
- The Gothic Tradition EN42029 (pre-1900)
- British Comics Creators - EN41024
- Film & Theatre EN42027
- HG Wells, Science Fiction and Film - EN41016 (HYBRID English-Film)
European Studies modules 2022-23
European Studies - Level 1
Semester 1
- Human Futures - HU11001 (highly recommended)
Semester 2
Plus ONE of the following recommended modules
- Plato and the Good Life - PI11006 (semester 1)
- The Rise of Atlantic Empires - HY11005 (semester 1)
- Reading the Screen - EN11003 (semester 1)
- PF/PS11001 - Applied Languages 1A (intensive) (semester 1)
- PF/PS11003 - Applied Languages 1A (semester 1)
- Revolutions and the Rise of the Modern World - HY11004 (semester 2)
- Descartes, Thought and Reality - PI11007 (semester 2)
- PF/PS12002 - Applied Languages 1A (intensive) (semester 2)
- PF/PS12004 - Applied Languages 1A (semester 2)
European Studies - Level 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
Plus ONE of the following recommended modules:
- National Cinemas Post-1945 - EN22006 (semester 1)
- PF/PS21001 - Applied Languages 2A (intensive) (semester 1)
- PF/PS21003 - Applied Languages 2A (semester 1)
- PF/PS22002 - Applied Languages 2B (intensive) (semester 2)
- PF/PS22004 - Applied Languages 2B (semester 2)
European Studies - Level 3
Semester 1
Semester 2
- Medievalism at the Movies (HYBRID English-Film/pre-1900)
- Holland in the Age of Rembrandt – HY31034 (evening module)
Year Long
- PF/PS30001 - Applied Languages 3 (Law & Psychology students)
- PF/PS30002 - Applied Languages 3: Languages and Culture in Context
European Studies - Level 4
Semester 1
Semester 2
Year Long
- PF/PG/PS40001 - Applied Languages 4 (Law & Psychology Students
- PF/PG/PS40002 - Applied Languages 4: Language and Culture in Context
Modules in Politics have not currently been proposed, but there may be Politics options by Sept. 2022
History modules 2022-23
History - Level 1
Semester 1
- Human Futures - HU11001 (highly recommended) (NB. EVENING workshop available)
- The Rise of Atlantic Empires, 1500-1750 - HY11005 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
Semester 2
- Revolutions and the Rise of the Modern World - HY11004 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Making Memory - HU12003 (recommended)
History - Level 2
Semester 1
- Scotland and the Wider World - HY22006 (recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Gender, Sexuality, Culture - HU21001
Semester 2
History - Level 3
Semester 1
- Making History: Issues in the Study of the Past - HY31029 (Recommended Single & Joint Honours)
- America in the Sixties - HY32032
- Life at the Margins: Sinners, Deviants and Outcasts in Early Modern Scotland, c.1550-1750 - HY31041
Semester 2
- Reading 17th Century Scotland - HY31016
- Interpreting German History 1814-1914 - HY31034
- Holland in the Age of Rembrandt - HY31020 (evening available)
- Questions of Ulster - HY32010
History - Level 4
Semester 1
- Fascist Italy HY42048
- The Scottish Highlands & Island: Health, Politics and Society 1745-1936 - HY42058
- Modern South Africa: Apartheid, African Liberation, and Democracy - HY41053 (evening module)
- Settling the Trans-Appalachian West - HY42052
Semester 2
- Dissertation - HY40001
- Slavery: History, Memory, Legacy - HY41057
- Scottish Nationalism and the Idea of Britain - HY42057
Languages modules 2022-23
Language modules are for learners of the language, not native speakers.
Level 1 - Seeing the Signs: British Sign Language (NEW module)
Languages - Level 1
Semester 1
- Applied Languages 1A (Intensive) French - PF11001 · Spanish - PS11001
- Applied Languages 1A French - PF11003 · Spanish - PS11003
Semester 2
- Applied Languages 1B (Intensive) French - PF12002 · Spanish - PS12002
- Applied Languages 1B French - PF12004 · Spanish - PS12004
Also available, Languages for All modules
Languages - Level 2
Semester 1
- Applied Languages 2A (Intensive) French - PF21001 · Spanish - PS21001
- Applied Languages 2A French - PF21003 · Spanish - PS21003
Semester 2
- Applied Languages 2B (Intensive) French - PF22002 · Spanish - PS22002
- Applied Languages 2B French - PF22004 · Spanish - PS22004
Also available, Languages for All modules
Languages - Level 3
Year-long
- Applied Languages 3 French - PF30001 · Spanish - PS30001
- Applied Languages 3: Language and Culture in Context French - PF30002 · Spanish - PS30002
Also available, Languages for All modules
Languages - Level 4
Year-long
- Applied Languages 4 French - PF40001 · German - PG40001 · Spanish - PS40001
- Applied Languages 4: Language and Culture in Context French - PF40002 · German - PG40002 · Spanish - PS40002
Philosophy modules 2022-23
Philosophy - Level 1
Semester 1
- Human Futures - HU11001 (highly recommended) (EVENING workshop available)
- Plato and the Good Life - PI11006 (EVENING workshop available)
Semester 2
- Making Memory - HU12003 (EVENING workshop available)
- Introduction to Aesthetics - PI11005 (Art & Philosophy and Erasmus students)
- Descartes, Thought and Reality - PI11007 (EVENING workshop available)
Philosophy - Level 2
Semester 1
- Thinking About Life: Existentialism, Life World and Dasein - PI21004 (EVENING workshop available)
- Gender, Sexuality, Culture - HU21001
Semester 2
- Aesthetics - PI22006 (EVENING workshop available)
Philosophy - Level 3
Semester 1
- Concepts of Critique - PI32025
- The Philosophies of Work - PI31018 (evening module)
Semester 2
Philosophy- Level 4
Semester 1
- Nietzsche - PI41027
- Dialectics: Systems and their Negation - PI42015 (evening module)
Semester 2
General modules and modules from other school 2022-23
Other Modules - Level 1
School of Humanities modules
- Human Futures - HU11001 (evening available)
- Making Memory - HU12003 (evening available)
School of Social Sciences modules
- Global Economic Perspectives - BU11004
- Foundations of Economic Analysis - BU12004
- The Physical Environment - EV11001
- Environments For Life - EV12002
- Introduction to Geography Part 1: The Unequal World - GE11001
- Introduction to Geography Part 2: Environment, the City and Society - GE12002
- Politics and Public Policy - PO11001
- Introductory Psychology:1 - PY11001
- Introductory Psychology:2 - PY12002
- Planning for Sustainable Cities - UP11004
- Reading Urban Places - UP12004