MA Mathematics/Scottish Literature

About this course

Mathematics and Scottish literature is an unusually broad combination, pairing the discipline of exact formal reasoning with the study of a specific and rich literary tradition. Mathematics develops your capacity for abstract thought, logical argument and quantitative analysis, building skills that are among the most transferable available. Scottish literature, meanwhile, explores the writing that has grown out of Scotland's distinctive cultural, historical and linguistic experience, from the poetry of Robert Burns and the novels of Walter Scott through to the vigorous contemporary fiction, poetry and drama of the modern Scottish tradition. Engaging with both cultivates an unusual range of intellectual skills. At the University of Glasgow, this part-time degree follows the Scottish Honours structure, which means that over the course of your studies you will build a broad foundation before focusing more narrowly in your Honours years. In mathematics you will cover analysis, algebra, calculus, statistics, differential equations and other core areas, developing the ability to reason precisely and to solve complex problems. In Scottish literature you will engage with major texts and figures across historical periods, examining how Scotland's multiple literary languages, Scots, Gaelic and English, have been used to explore identity, place, community and change. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and broaden your perspectives in both disciplines. Graduates with this combination are genuinely versatile. The mathematical training opens doors in data science, finance, actuarial work, research and any quantitative profession, while the literary and cultural expertise developed through Scottish literature is valued in education, publishing, heritage, arts organisations, broadcasting and the civil service. Many graduates go on to teaching, where the combination of mathematical rigour and linguistic sensitivity is particularly well suited to schools education. Further study in mathematics, statistics, Scottish studies, education or a related discipline is a natural route for those who wish to specialise.

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