MA degree module catalogue
Our MA courses let you choose from a wide selection of modules
On this page
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
About the content of modules
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 2021-22
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)
- Film Noir - EN22004 (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)
- Film Art - EN32020 (Film)
- The English Novel - EN32022 (pre-1900)
- Modernism and Modernity - EN32005
- Writing Poetry EN32036 (Creative Writing)
- Modern Drama and Performance EN31022
Semester 2
- Literature to Comics - EN31015
- Theoretical Perspectives on Film from Early Cinema to New Media - EN31027 (Evening module)
- 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
- Of Gods and Monsters: The Literature of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings - EN41002 (pre-1900) (EVENING Module)
- Shakespeare: Page, Stage, Screen EN41028 (pre-1900) (HYBRID English-Film)
- Creative Practice Dissertation HU40001 (year-long)
Semester 2
- Dissertation - EN41011
- The Gothic Tradition EN42029 (pre-1900)
- Film & Theatre EN42027
- Contemporary Literature EN41034 (HYBRID English-CW)
European Studies modules 2021-22
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)
- The Age of Revolution, c.1750-1850 - 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/PG/PS21001 - Applied Languages 2A (intensive) (semester 1)
- PF/PG/PS21003 - Applied Languages 2A (semester 1)
- Film Noir - EN22004 (semester 2)
- Thinking about Life - PI21004 (semester 2)
- PF/PG/PS22002 - Applied Languages 2B (intensive) (semester 2)
- PF/PG/PS22004 - Applied Languages 2B (semester 2)
European Studies - Level 3
Semester 1
Semester 2
- Imperial Spain - HY32017
- Theoretical Perspectives on Film (Film Studies) (evening module)
- Medievalism at the Movies (HYBRID English-Film/pre-1900)
Year Long
- PF/PG/PS30001 - Applied Languages 3 (Law & Psychology students)
- PF/PG/PS30002 - Applied Languages 3: Languages and Culture in Context
European Studies - Level 4
Semester 1
- Of Gods and Monsters: Literature of the Angelo-Saxons and Vikings - EN41002 (evening module)
- Fundamental Texts in the European Tradition - Phenomenlogy - PI42014 (evening module)
- Fascist Italy - HY42048
Semester 2
Year Long
- PF/PG/PS40001 - Applied Languages 4 (Law & Psychology Students
- PF/PG/PS40002 - Applied Languages 4: Language and Culture in Context
History modules 2021-22
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
- Age of Revolution, c. 16880-1871 - 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
- Imperialism and Decolonisation, 1850-2000 - HY21004 (EVENING workshop available)
History - Level 3
Semester 1
- Making History: Issues in the Study of the Past - HY31029 (Recommended Single & Joint Honours) (evening available)
- America in the Sixties - HY32032
- Contemporary African History - HY32035
Semester 2
- Invasion of America - HY31037
- Life at the Margins: Sinners, Deviants and Outcasts in Early Modern Scotland, c.1550-1750 - HY31041
- Imperial Spain - HY32017
- Questions of Ulster - HY32010
History - Level 4
Semester 1
- Everyday Life in Early Modern Scotland - HY42060
- Fascist Italy HY42048
- Colonialism, Science and Medicine in Modern India HY40004 (evening available)
Semester 2
- Dissertation - HY40001
- The Highlands, Migration and the Scottish Diaspora HY42061
- Slavery: History, Memory, Legacy - HY41057
Languages modules 2021-22
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 · German - PG30001 · Spanish - PS30001
- Applied Languages 3: Language and Culture in Context French - PF30002 · German - PG30002 · 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 2021-22
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
- Aesthetics - PI22006 (EVENING workshop available)
- Gender, Sexuality, Culture - HU21001
Semester 2
- Thinking About Life: Existentialism, Life World and Dasein - PI21004 (EVENING workshop available)
Philosophy - Level 3
Semester 1
- Understanding Media PI31019
- Philosophies of Self PI32022 (evening module)
Semester 2
- Marriage, Seduction and Sex in Film-Philosophy PI31021
- Feminist Philosophies and Queer Theories PI31023
Philosophy- Level 4
Semester 1
- Fundamental Texts in the European Tradition: Phenomenlogy PI42014 (evening module)
Semester 2
General modules and modules from other school 2021-22
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