Lady Literate in Arts
Encyclopedia
A Lady Literate in Arts or LLA qualification was offered by the University of St Andrews
for more than a decade before women were allowed to graduate in the same way as men, and it became popular as a kind of external degree
for women who had studied through correspondence, or by attendance at non-university classes.
Until 1892 women were not admitted to Scottish universities and the LLA was the nearest qualification to a degree which was open to women in Scotland, although the University of Edinburgh
offered certificates recognising achievement in classes organised by the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women
, and in Glasgow
Queen Margaret College
was offering a university-equivalent education and awards. To obtain an LLA candidates had to pass examinations at a university-approved centre, which might be in Scotland, elsewhere in the United Kingdom
, or abroad.
Even after 1892, the LLA continued to be popular with women who wanted to study for an arts degree without needing to attend one particular institution for three or four years. Thousands of women received an LLA before it was discontinued in the 1930s.
William Knight
(1836-1916), Professor of Moral Philosophy at St Andrews between 1876 and 1903, was a supporter of female education
and the main force behind the university's introduction of the LLA degree.
Helen Bannerman
, the children's writer, and suffragette Margaret Nevinson
both had LLAs.
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
for more than a decade before women were allowed to graduate in the same way as men, and it became popular as a kind of external degree
External degree
An external degree is a degree offered by a university to students who have not been required to be physically present within the geographic territory of the institution. These undergraduates may be called external students and may study at classes unconnected with the university, or independently,...
for women who had studied through correspondence, or by attendance at non-university classes.
Until 1892 women were not admitted to Scottish universities and the LLA was the nearest qualification to a degree which was open to women in Scotland, although the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
offered certificates recognising achievement in classes organised by the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women
Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women
The Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women , originally known as the Edinburgh Ladies' Educational Association , campaigned for higher education for women from 1867 until 1892 when Scottish universities started to admit female students...
, and in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
Queen Margaret College
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
was offering a university-equivalent education and awards. To obtain an LLA candidates had to pass examinations at a university-approved centre, which might be in Scotland, elsewhere in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, or abroad.
Even after 1892, the LLA continued to be popular with women who wanted to study for an arts degree without needing to attend one particular institution for three or four years. Thousands of women received an LLA before it was discontinued in the 1930s.
William Knight
William Knight
William Knight is the name of:* Bill Knight, racing driver and speed record setter* Bill Knight , former Canadian Member of Parliament and financial executive* William Angus Knight , British writer, professor, and philosopher...
(1836-1916), Professor of Moral Philosophy at St Andrews between 1876 and 1903, was a supporter of female education
Female education
Female education is a catch-all term for a complex of issues and debates surrounding education for females. It includes areas of gender equality and access to education, and its connection to the alleviation of poverty...
and the main force behind the university's introduction of the LLA degree.
Helen Bannerman
Helen Bannerman
Helen Bannerman was the Scottish author of a number of children's books, the most notable being Little Black Sambo. She was born in Edinburgh and, because women were not admitted as students into British Universities, she sat external examinations set by the University of St. Andrews and attained...
, the children's writer, and suffragette Margaret Nevinson
Margaret Nevinson
Margaret Nevinson was a British suffrage campaigner.Nevinson was one of the suffragettes who split from the Women's Social and Political Union in 1907 to form the Women's Freedom League...
both had LLAs.