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Postgraduate
Courses / Postgraduate / English Literary Studies (MA)

English Literary Studies (MA)

Award
Master of Arts
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Avenue
Next course starts
September 2023

About this course

This course is now closed to new applications for 2023 entry.  

Each year we get many high-quality applications and places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Search similar degrees for 2024 entry by browsing our course finder.

Explore English literature in-depth with a master’s degree at the University of Southampton.

Our course gives you the opportunity to pursue literary topics and genres from a wide selection of authors and periods, including:

  • Shakespeare
  • Jane Austen
  • Holocaust literature
  • Victorian print culture
  • literature and law

On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for careers in teaching, publishing and arts administration.

You’ll get the chance to carry out advanced-level research and independent critical thinking, and to make effective use of archives, manuscripts, and research libraries. We'll help you examine how literature shapes the public understanding of diverse fields such as:

  • climate change
  • economics
  • medicine
  • religion

We offer a flexible module structure which is designed to give you an advanced understanding of cultural analysis, textual interpretation and theoretical method. You can specialise with one of 4 subject-specific pathways, or take a more general approach by choosing modules from each pathway.

The information on this page refers to the general pathway.

Across all pathways, you’ll explore the interrelations of text, theory and culture across the field of English literary and cultural studies. We’ll work with you to:

  • develop your knowledge of critical and research methods
  • raise your awareness of the historical and critical reception of literature in various periods
  • explore the role of literature in a contested cultural framework

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

  • a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

Course lead

Your course leader is Stephen Bending, Professor of Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture. Stephen has published widely on gender, identity and emotion in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Visit Professor Bending’s staff profile to learn more about his work.

Related pathways

You can apply for one of the following pathways, or choose modules from each of them:

 

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

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