Direct answer
The University of Aberdeen MLitt English Language and Literature requires a 2:2 Honours degree or the equivalent in English Literature or a relevant cognate discipline in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The programme does not publish a separate academic equivalency table for Chinese qualifications on the programme page; applicants must select “China” in the country selector on the official entry requirements section to view the relevant equivalency. The minimum English language requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (with Listening 5.5, Reading 6.0, Speaking 5.5, Writing 6.0). The international tuition fee for 2026/27 is £23,000, or £15,000 for self-funded students who receive the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship.
Programme overview
The MLitt English Language and Literature is a taught postgraduate degree delivered on campus in Aberdeen. It can be studied full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months, with start dates in September or January. The programme provides graduate-level skills and training in English literature and linguistics, introducing students to specialist knowledge and scholarly approaches in the historical and critical analysis of English language and literature.
Academic entry requirement
The programme page states that entry requires “A 2:2 Honours degree or the equivalent in English Literature or a relevant cognate discipline in the arts, humanities and social sciences.” This is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry. For applicants from China, the university directs users to select their country from a dropdown list on the entry requirements section of the page to view relevant information; no country-specific equivalency is displayed on the programme page itself.
English language requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen, fluency in English is essential. The minimum scores for the MLitt English Language and Literature are:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5 (Listening 5.5, Reading 6.0, Speaking 5.5, Writing 6.0)
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 90 (Listening 17, Reading 21, Speaking 20, Writing 21)
- PTE Academic: Overall 62 (Listening 59, Reading 59, Speaking 59, Writing 59)
- Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: Overall 176 (Listening 162, Reading 169, Speaking 162, Writing 169)
Tuition fees for 2026/27
For the 2026/27 academic year, the published tuition fees are:
- UK students: £11,100 (reduced to £7,000 for University of Aberdeen graduates eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship)
- EU / International students: £23,000
- Self-funded international students: £15,000 (this fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship)
The university states that full terms and conditions apply to the scholarship.
Document requirements
Applicants must supply the following documents with their application:
- A full degree transcript showing all subjects studied and marks achieved, with an original and official English translation
- A detailed personal statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for this particular programme
If the current programme of study has not yet been completed, the applicant can still apply and provide the degree certificate at a later date.
Programme structure and assessment
The MLitt includes compulsory courses in the first semester: A Social and Textual History of the English Language, Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen, Critical Skills: Reading and Engagement, and Critical Skills: Research and Dissemination. Students also choose one optional course from Locations and Dislocations: the Role of Place in Literature or The Novel: Environments and Encounters. Assessment methods include essays, reports, presentations, written exercises, written and oral examinations, and a 15,000-word dissertation.
What the official page does not establish
The programme page does not display a specific Chinese degree equivalency or Gaokao-based entry route. The country selector requires a live lookup to retrieve the current published equivalency for China. The page also does not state whether the programme is in Clearing or list any live vacancy status. These details must be rechecked on the official University of Aberdeen website at the time of application.
FAQ
What degree classification is required for the MLitt English Language and Literature?
The programme requires a 2:2 Honours degree or the equivalent in English Literature or a relevant cognate discipline in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
What is the IELTS requirement for this programme?
IELTS Academic overall 6.5, with Listening 5.5, Reading 6.0, Speaking 5.5, and Writing 6.0.
How much are the tuition fees for international students in 2026/27?
The international tuition fee is £23,000. Self-funded international students pay £15,000 after the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship is applied.
Can I apply if I have not yet finished my undergraduate degree?
Yes. The university states that if you have not yet completed your current programme of study, you can still apply and provide your degree certificate at a later date.
Is the Aberdeen Global Scholarship automatically applied?
The university states that all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive the £8,000 scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply, and applicants should consult the dedicated scholarship page for eligibility details.
Official sources
- English Language and Literature MLitt programme page – University of Aberdeen
- Secondary Education PGDE page (related programme) – University of Aberdeen
For broader context on UK postgraduate study, you may also find these resources useful: a guide to University of Sussex admission requirements, fees and rankings, an overview of Durham University’s admission and collegiate system, a comparison of country-specific diploma application intermediaries, and a look at study-abroad intermediary services for Singapore-bound students.