Master in English Literature
Tromsø, Norway
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* no tuition fees for international students
Introduction
The Master's Program in English Literature provides a comprehensive study of literature from across the Anglophone world. Courses highlight how literature shapes and is shaped by history, its relevance for contemporary issues such as climate change and conflict resolution, and its ability to challenge and refine a reader's ways of thinking. Building on a diversity of critical approaches, the program helps students refine their abilities to think analytically and creatively.
Program description
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits (ECTS): 120
- Admission requirements: Bachelor in English
- Degree Name: Master of English Literature
- Application code:
- Norwegian and Nordic applicants: 5072
- International applicants: 2055
The master's program in English literature gives students the opportunity to study a broad range of literary and cultural texts in English while specializing in an area of their choice under the leadership of a researcher in that field. The English section can offer supervision in English, Irish, American, and postcolonial literature, and is particularly strong in the areas of romanticism, modernism, and contemporary literature.
Each year, students are offered courses organized around socially-relevant themes, key literary periods and genres, and/or prominent authors. All master's level courses include training in secondary research and literary theory, practice in close analysis, and feedback on students' written work.
In moving from coursework to the master's thesis, students move toward a more specialized focus and more independent research. This research is supported by each student's supervisor and by a series of organized work-in-progress seminars targeting the skills needed for masters-level research.
The program consists of:
- 60 credits coursework in English literature (ENG-3000-level)
- 60 credits Master's thesis (ENG-3992)
The mandatory coursework includes:
- ENG-3192 Literary and Cultural Theory; and
One course from each of these categories:
- 3000-level Period-Based Studies (such as Modernism, Major Authors or Contemporary Poetry)
- 3000-level Studies in Genre (such as Short Fiction or Development of the Novel)
- 3000-level Literature and Society Courses (such as Literature and Justice; or Literature and the Environment)
Literary and Cultural Theory and Period Studies courses are offered in the fall. Studies in Genre and Literature and Society courses are offered in the spring. The remaining 20 credits of coursework may be fulfilled by choosing from any ENG-3000 courses offered in literature/culture. Specific courses being offered vary and will be stated in the course catalog for the current semester.
Students wishing to substitute courses from other relevant fields (typically selected to support research for the master's thesis or during an exchange) may apply to have this substitution approved on an individual basis (up to 20 credits).
The master's thesis is theoretically-informed work of independent research on a limited topic within English literature. These are 70-100 pages in length (1.5 spacing, Times New Roman 12).
Students are assigned a supervisor appropriate for their topic. The topic of research will be decided upon in collaboration with a member of the English section.
Admissions
Curriculum
Program structure
| Term | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
| 1st semester (autumn) | ENG-3192 Literary and Cultural Theory | Period Studies (ENG-3000-level) Autumn 2020: ENG-3114 Modernism: Contemporary Narratives of Loss and Transformation | Elective Course in Literature/Culture (ENG-3000-level) Autumn 2020: ENG-3106 Short Fiction in English or ENG-3193 Literature, Text, and Education |
| 2nd semester (spring) | Studies of Literature and Society (ENG-3000-level) Spring 2021: ENG-3196 Literature and Justice or exchange | Studies in Genre (ENG-3000-level) Spring 2021: ENG-3194 Contemporary Fiction or exchange | Elective Course in Literature/Culture (ENG-3000-level) Spring 2021: ENG-3108 Colonial and Postcolonial Discourses in English Literature or exchange |
| 3rd semester (autumn) | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature |
| 4th semester (spring) | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature | ENG-3992 Master's Thesis in English Literature |
Teaching and assessment
In order to reach the learning goals, students should expect to work 40 hours a week attending and lectures, seminars, and studying independently.
The master's thesis requires independent research and writing on a specialized topic chosen by the student in collaboration with a supervisor. Students are expected to anticipate and organize their research and writing tasks and to produce work to be discussed at regular meetings with their supervisor.
Most courses include written assignments or oral presentations that must be approved in order to take the exam.
The most common forms of examination are home exams written on assigned topics over a one-two week period or term papers on topics that students choose in cooperation with the course instructor. Grades range from A-F, where A is the highest grade and F is fail.
Exchange
Exchange studies abroad will make you more attractive in the job market. Studies abroad will increase your learning outcomes, improve your language skills, give you unique adventures and international experiences. Students taking the Master's in English Literature are encouraged to make use of one of our exchange agreements in the second semester.
For an updated overview of exchange universities, please take a look at UiT's webpage on student exchange.
The application deadlines are:
- 1 February (autumn semester)
- 1 September (spring semester)
Program Outcome
Learning outcomes
After completing the master's degree in English literature, candidates will have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The candidate:
- has gained advanced knowledge about English literature from a diversity of national contexts and periods, with specialized knowledge in the area chosen for the thesis.
- understands and can engage with diverse theoretical approaches to literary and cultural texts.
- can apply knowledge from one literary sub-field within a new sub-field.
- can analyze and interpret literary texts in relation to history, genre, and socio-cultural debates.
Skills
The candidate can:
- evaluate and engage with literary criticism expressing diverse perspectives and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments.
- analyze existing literary theories and interpretations and work independently on theoretical or interpretive problems.
- use relevant methods of historical and literary research and creative thinking to develop ideas in an independent manner.
- formulate research questions and carry out an independent research project about English literature in the form of a master's thesis and related presentation with the support of supervision and in accordance with the norms of research ethics.
General Competence
The candidate is able to:
- communicate sophisticated content to specialists and the general public using appropriate literary critical terminology.
- apply his or her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
- contribute to new thinking in the field of English literature.
Career Opportunities
Job prospectives
English master's candidates possess sought-after analytical and creative thinking skills and are respected for their skills in oral and written communication. A master's degree in English literature prepares students for work in the literary and cultural industries through positions in publishing, journalism, museums, libraries, and bookstores. It also prepares graduates for a wide range of jobs that require culturally-sensitive international communication. The independent work of the master's thesis provides experience relevant for higher positions in the government and in business.
Finally, the program qualifies students for admission to doctoral programs in literature, thereby providing possibilities for a further research career.