History of Art and English Literature

You will study the history of art and English literature in equal depth with this joint honours programme.

History of art

History of art will introduce you to art from different periods and world cultures.

You will:

• learn how, and for whom, works of art were made

• situate artworks within visual and material culture more broadly

• explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpreted

In Years 3 and 4 you will have the opportunity to:

• specialise in particular aspects of the field

• develop independent research projects

• develop a dissertation

• study abroad (Year 3)

English literature

Studying English literature will develop your:

• critical skills

• analytic skills

• linguistic skills

• creative skills

You will:

• study a broad range of texts and different approaches to reading

• gain an understanding of the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present

In Years 3 and 4 you will also choose research-led courses based on your interests. These will help you develop a detailed knowledge of specific topics, periods or genres.

Why Edinburgh?

We are the oldest department of English literature in the UK and one of the longest-established in the world. We are proud to be based in the heart of the first UNESCO World City of Literature.

From the University's special collections to the National Library and Galleries of Scotland, the city's resources for studying art and literature are exceptional.

The history of art and English literature complement each other well. Both subjects benefit from shared methodologies and historical contexts, and many ideas and movements are shared across the visual arts and literature.

Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to your core subjects, you will choose optional courses from a broad list of disciplines, then specialise as you progress through your honours years.