MA in English Literature
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 7 May 2024 for international students
** for UK students full-time | £24,120 for international students full-time
Introduction
This innovative programme gives you the opportunity to explore your literary interests from the medieval period through to the present day.
Studying English Literature at the postgraduate level opens up a whole host of vibrant and intellectually stimulating avenues to explore. Our unique programme draws on the wide-ranging research expertise of our staff in order to develop your critical and analytical skills in the field of literary and cultural studies.
This programme will provide a solid grounding in the key intellectual debates within the scholarship surrounding a range of period and context specialisms, introduce you to the latest research in the field, and support your development of the skills required for writing a dissertation.
English literary texts from the medieval period to the present day are studied in and alongside their many different contexts – historical, social, political and/or material – and approached from a multitude of theoretical and methodological perspectives, enabling you to develop new and highly skilled ways of reading and interpreting a wide variety of cultural documents.
Alongside the programme, you will also have the chance to participate in a bespoke MA conference and become part of the department’s thriving academic research community.
Why Study this Course?
- Flexibility – the variety of modules on offer will allow you to study areas of the discipline that interest you the most.
- Excellent reputation – as one of the leading Departments for the postgraduate study of English Literature and Culture in the UK, you will receive expert teaching and research supervision across a wide range of time periods, genres, media, and methods. The University has also been ranked as one of the world's top 50 institutions to study English Language and Literature in the 2021 QS World University Rankings.
- Foundation for future careers or further study – the program is ideal for those students looking to develop specific research interests and/or prepare for study at the Ph.D. level, but it is also an excellent way of gaining a broader overview of the subject that will prepare students for a career in sectors such as charity, teaching, local government, law, publishing, and media.
- Live in a city that values literature as much as you do – did you know that inspiration for parts of The Lord of the Rings came from our very own campus (our clock tower Old Joe is thought to be the black tower of Isengard)? Explore Birmingham’s literary scene and get involved with the numerous on-campus writer's groups, including our very own newspaper, enjoy our program of literary talks from high-profile authors such as current Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, delve into the various city-wide literature festivals and take advantage of our exceptional resources, including our special collections and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library.
- Active postgraduate community – with conferences, reading groups and events run by postgraduate students as well as academic staff, there is always something happening in the Department.
The Postgraduate Experience
The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces to career support and funding opportunities.
Career Opportunities
Postgraduate Employability
Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.
The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities, especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team that offers tailored advice and a program of College-specific career events.
You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:
- Receive one-to-one career advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV, and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
- Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
- Attend an annual program of careers fairs, skills workshops, and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
- Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV
What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of career support for up to 2 years after graduation.
Postgraduate employability: English Literature
Birmingham's English Literature postgraduates develop a range of skills including presentation, communication, and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently, think critically, and develop opinions.
Many of our graduates go on to further study or academia, while others use their transferable skills in a wide variety of occupations including copywriting, project management, publishing, and teaching.
Curriculum
Core Modules
All students will take the following modules:
- Research Skills in English Literature
Optional Modules
Students should choose three modules from those available in semester 1
- Meeting Medieval Manuscripts
- Nineteenth-Century Senses
- Modernism
- Evolutions of Popular Literature
Students should choose two modules from those available in semester 2
- Digital Heritage and the Medieval Past
- Contemporary Literature
- Cultures of Popular Literature
Dissertation
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships and Studentships
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, or their home government.
Postgraduate loans
Government-backed Masters loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Teaching Year
We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.
As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules each year, followed by your dissertation.
Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.