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MA Degrees in English Literary Studies

MA Pathways Explained

From 2010 onwards, the Department of English will be moving to a Pathway structure for its taught MA schemes, creating greater optionality for students. All students will be entered for an MA in English Literary Studies but can choose different specialist routes through that MA (or opt for a generalist route, maximising choice). All MA students in the Department are invited to attend the six postgraduate seminars given each year by Professor Terry Eagleton, plus of course the two open lectures he gives.

All taught course MA schemes (with the exception of ELLS) follow the same core structure.  See below for a summary of the full-time and part-time course structure.

Once a student has been entered for an MA in English Literary Studies, they can choose from the following pathway options:

NEW for 2013-14: The Creative-Critical MA
This scheme combines crtical approaches to writing with the practice of writing itself, offering modules on fiction and poetry. Read more about this MA

MA in English Literary Studies (ELS)
This MA scheme is for students who wish to take a generalist MA. It allows you to choose any 4 modules from any taught MA scheme + Research Methods. For the dissertation you can choose which specialist area you wish to write in. Read more about the MA in English Literary Studies.

MA in Early Modern Literature (EML)
This MA scheme is for students who wish to specialise in Early Modern Literature. If you choose this MA pathway you MUST take the 2 modules offered in Early Modern Literature and can then choose 2 other modules from any other taught MA scheme in the Department+ Research Methods. You will undertake a dissertation in the specialist area of Early Modern Literature. Read more about the MA in Early Modern Literature.

MA in Romantic and Victorian Literature (RVL)
This MA scheme is for students who wish to specialise in Romantic and Victorian Literature. If you choose this MA pathway you MUST take 2 modules in Romantic and Victorian Literature and can then choose 2 further modules from RVL or from any other taught MA scheme in the Department + Research Methods. You will undertake a dissertation in the specialist area of Romantic and Victorian Literature.  Read more about the MA in Romantic and Victorian Literature.

MA in Contemporary Literary Studies (CLS)
This MA scheme is for students who wish to specialise in Contemporary Literature. If you choose this pathway you MUST take 2 modules in Contemporary Literary Studies and can then choose 2 further modules from CLS or from any other taught MA scheme in the Department + Research Methods. You will undertake a dissertation in the specialist area of Contemporary Literary Studies.  Read more about the MA in Contemporary Literary Studies.

You can also find an overview of the various MA options if you visit our web page on the MA in English Literary Studies.

Combined MAs in English

MA in Literary and Cultural Studies (LCS)
(Department of English with Department of Film and Media Studies)

This MA is run jointly by the Department of English and Creative Writing and the Department of Film and Media Studies, but English and Creative Writing is the administering department.

Students taking the combined MA in Literary and Cultural Studies MUST take 2 compulsory Research methods elements, one from each department:

- Critical Debates in Cultural Studies (Department of Film and Media Studies) (20 credits)
- Research Methodology (Department of English and Creative Writing) (10 credits)

You can then choose a further 3 optional modules (20 credits each):
1 module from Film and Media
1 module from English and Creative Writing
1 from either department

E.g. A student might take:
Critical Debates in Cultural Studies (1 module) + 2 modules in Film and Media Studies
Research Methods + 1 module in English
OR
Critical Debates in Cultural Studies (1 module) + 1 module in Film and Media Studies
Research Methods + 2 modules in English
You will undertake a dissertation in any aspect of literature and cultural studies that has interested you.

MA in English Language and Literary Studies (ELLS)
(Department of English with Department of English Language [Linguistics])

Students taking the combined MA in English Language and Literary Studies follow the 6 module + short dissertation structure of the Linguistics department and are entered by that department.

Students MUST take
- 2 modules in English Language
- 2 modules in English Literature
You can then choose a final 2 modules from either department.
Students can use the pathway scheme to choose between 2 and 4 modules from English.
Students may opt to take the English Language research methods course as one of their modules and may audit the English department Research Methods course (sit in on the course but not submit assessment).

NOTE: Students on this combined MA will submit a shorter dissertation of 12,000 words at an earlier date than students in the English department.  This is a 60 credit rather than 90 credit dissertation.

Module Choice Across All Pathways

In general, modules will only run if 6 students choose that option. The choice of modules available varies from year to year according to staffing.

Core Structure