Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: Initially you will be introduced to the rise of the great tradition of Scottish fiction, looking at work by Scott, Hogg and Galt down to Gibbon, Gunn and the moderns like Spark, Kelman and Galloway. Among the poets you study are MacDiarmid, Muir, MacCaig, Morgan and Lochhead. Twentieth-century drama is also covered.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: The following year you will explore older Scottish literature and language, including the great medieval Makars (poets), Dunbar and Henryson, and the great morality play Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis. Eighteenth-century writing, including Ramsay, Smollett and Burns, is also an important part of the programme.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: The topics offered to students at Honours level are: History of Scots (language); history of the Scottish book (language) from beginnings to early modern (pre-1700); Augustans and Romantics; Victorian literature and the 1920s Literary Renaissance; Contemporary Scottish literature; 1 of Modern Scottish poetry or Scottish journeys or Alternative Renaissances; Beginnings to early modern.

If you are taking Scottish Literature with another subject (Joint Honours) you are required to choose three of the courses and you must do a dissertation.

If you are a Single Honours student you must take seven of the courses and you are also required to do a dissertation. One of these seven courses must be a language-based course and another must cover the period before 1700.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAB (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject at AA (AB or BA may be considered).

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA in relevant subjects.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.

Grades and subjects may vary depending on combinations taken.