English Literature MA: Course features

If you choose to study this course, here are some of the things you can expect from the course and how it will benefit you.

• This course covers a broad range of theoretical approaches and practical skills for the analysis of literature, rather than a narrow focus on any single literary tradition or historical period.
• Option modules and your dissertation give you the chance to focus on an area of particular interest.
• It is ideal for students who:
  • need to gain a postgraduate qualification in English for career development purposes - including educators and those employed in publishing and creative industries;
  • want to move on to a postgraduate research degree such as a PhD; or
  • enjoy reading and writing about literature in English at an advanced level.
• Many members of staff are research active, which keeps your learning cutting-edge (read more in the Research areas section).
• The English Literature department contributes to the Centre for Suburban Studies, the Centre for Life Writing and the Iris Murdoch Centre (read more in the Research areas section).
• We also have close links with Historic Royal Palaces and there is an opportunity to work with the curatorial team at Hampton Court Palace.
• The department is home to two archives of books and papers relating to the work of Iris Murdoch, and the Sheridan Morley archive of theatrical life writing and ephemera (read more in the Facilities section).
• The taught modules aim to prepare you for the job market. Alongside your academic studies, you gain practical skills in:
  • data collation, review and synopsis;
  • communication (oral, written and electronic);
  • time management;
  • computing; and
  • co-operation and teamwork.
• We offer a part-time study option to help you fit your MA around other commitments.