MA English Literature at University of Reading

Programme overview

The MA English Literature covers topics and periods from the Renaissance stage to minority literatures in contemporary Britain. Students choose their own pathway and receive one-to-one supervision on a dissertation topic of their choice, with access to archives including the Archive of British Publishing and Printing and the Samuel Beckett collection.

Department: Department of English Literature | Duration: 12 months full time; 24 months part time | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Reading, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Compulsory modules are a Dissertation and Materiality and Textuality (archival research methods). Optional modules include Modern and Contemporary Literature, Contemporary Literature and Ethnicity, Modern Literary Feminisms, Samuel Beckett, Publishing and the Business of Books, Romantics and Victorians, and Early Modern Literature.

Career pathways

Graduates continue to, or return to, careers in teaching, publishing, the media, the civil service, the charity sector and advertising, as well as PhD research.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a second-class undergraduate honours degree in an appropriate subject with at least a 2:1 in 50% of final-year modules, or equivalent from a university outside the UK. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0 (or equivalent). A Pre-sessional English Programme is available for those who need to meet the language requirement.

Domestic applicants: GBP 12,500 a year (2027/28). Full-time; UK/Republic of Ireland. Part-time study over two years is charged at 50% of the annual full-time fee in each year; fees rise each year with inflation (up to 4%). Source

International applicants: GBP 27,450 a year (2027/28). Full-time. Part-time study over two years is charged at 50% of the annual full-time fee in each year; fees rise each year with inflation (up to 4%). Source

Duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

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