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Deepen your love of literature and learn how to analyse a range of texts with our English Literature MA. Explore a range of literary periods or specialise on one of our pathways.
You'll turn your passion for reading into transferable critical thinking skills. On the MA you'll conduct rigorous research and analyse literature, developing your own interpretations - perfect for preparing for a PhD or a wide range of careers.
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
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Our English Literature MA explores many literary and cultural texts across key literary periods.
You can focus in-depth on the area of English Literature you're passionate about with our pathway options. You'll discover new ways to approach literature by considering different theories, methods and the key intellectual debates surrounding literary movements.
Dedicated research centres covering key literary periods.
Our modules cover medieval to contemporary literature - and everything in between.
Connect with PhD researchers at extracurricular activities and learn from your peers.
You can study a range of English literature - from medieval poetry to contemporary and genre fiction. If you're fascinated by a particular literary period, you can delve deeper into your interests with our pathway options. Take your learning beyond the classroom and join other MA students and PhD researchers at literary reading groups or talks led by academic staff in the Department.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in English Literature.
On our MA you can choose to specialise in a specific area of English Literature. Our current pathways are:
Alternatively, you can pick modules from across these literary periods. Either way, you’d need to apply to MA English Literature and if you'd like to specialise, you'll choose the pathway when you begin the course. All students who complete the course will graduate with an MA in English Literature and your degree certificate won't refer to the pathway you choose.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
Dissertation | 60 |
Research Skills for English Literature | 20 |
Students must choose 100 credits of optional modules
Students should choose three modules from those available in semester 1:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
Evolutions of Popular Literature | 20 |
Meeting Medieval Manuscripts | 20 |
Modernism | 20 |
Nineteenth-Century Voices | 20 |
Students should choose two modules from those available in semester 2:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
Contemporary Literature | 20 |
Cultures of Popular Literature | 20 |
Digital Heritage and the Medieval Past | 20 |
Empire and the Imagination | 20 |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in English Literature or a related subject
You should have an honours degree in English Literature or in a similar subject with a heavy literary element. You’ll need at least a high 2:1 (65 or above) result, or a 3.5/4.0 GPA.
Prospective students with joint honours in English Literature and another similar subject, or single honours in a subject that includes substantial work in English Literature, are welcome to apply.
You'll need to have a very high competence in written English and we expect you to have an extensive undergraduate exposure to literary studies in English across a broad historical range.
You should also submit a sample of written work as part of the online application process. You can do this before you submit your application form or return to the application to upload your sample at a later date.
The writing sample should be a piece of academic writing from your first degree on English (or Anglophone) literature. It needs to demonstrate your ability to close read and analyse primary texts (e.g. a novel, poem, or film), and to construct an argument (please note that journalism and creative writing - including poems, stories, or memoirs - are not acceptable).
We can’t read more than 2,000 words of submitted written work. Please either send a sample of 2,000 words or indicate which part of a longer work you would like us to read.
You must also submit a personal statement. This should be an account of your current, developed literary interests arising from your undergraduate or other literary studies and should indicate your plans to extend these as a postgraduate student of English literature.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
By studying a postgraduate degree in English Literature at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include an ability to analyse information, being able to work independently, critical thinking skills and the ability to present your ideas.
Our English graduates enter many roles, including:
Employers our English graduates have worked for include:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.