MSt in English (1550-1700) at University of Oxford

Programme overview

A nine-month full-time master's exploring early modern literature through core seminars, special options and a dissertation. It offers advanced literary study as a stand-alone year or a foundation for doctoral research.

Faculty: English Faculty | Duration: 9 months full-time | Intake: 5 October 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Two core courses (Critical Questions in Early Modern Literature; Bibliography, Theories of Text, History of the Book and Manuscript Studies), two special option courses and a dissertation written under a specialist supervisor. Recent options have included Slow Reading Spenser, Twelfth Night, Andrewes and Donne: Performing Religious Discourse, Shakespeare, History and Politics, and Literature and the Supernatural.

Career pathways

Many graduates go on to doctoral research at Oxford and other universities worldwide; others pursue careers in teaching, journalism, law, publishing and the civil service.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or be predicted a first-class or strong upper second-class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in English literature and/or English language, or exceptionally a related subject; US bachelor's degrees normally need a minimum GPA of 3.6/4.0, and most successful applicants achieve higher. Publications are not required. No GRE or GMAT scores are sought. There is no automatic transfer from a taught to a research course. English language (higher level, if first language is not English): IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT 110 with minimum Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24; C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 191 overall and 185 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 165 overall and 155 per component. Test must be taken no more than two years before the course start. Application deadline for 2027-28 entry: 5 January 2027 (12:00 UK time), the final deadline.

Domestic applicants: GBP 18,980 a year (2027/28). Home fee, per year, 2027-28 Source

International applicants: GBP 46,350 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee, per year, 2027-28 Source

Intake: 5 October 2027

Duration: 9 months full-time

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