English Literature (MA) (part time) (2 years)

Why study this course

Offering a range of approaches and subjects from the medieval to the contemporary, together with the opportunity to specialise in a particular area, this programme engages creatively with the key cultural, theoretical, historical and political contexts informing the latest literary research.

Forge your own path

You have the freedom to assemble a programme of study tailored to your personal and professional interests.

Focus on research

High-level training in the latest research methods, critical theory and scholarly writing and presentation skills.

Hone your craft

Popular two-day conference and workshop, where you will have the opportunity to present short 15-minute papers in a supportive and lively atmosphere.

Your career in mind

One-day symposium dedicated to increasing your employability skills.

English Literature at Cardiff is taught by staff with an international reputation for innovative and influential research. Our passion for the subject and the strength and range of our scholarship enable us to offer a degree which is:

Inclusive. We teach across the whole chronological span of English Literature, from Middle English to texts of the twenty-first century. We offer modules in a range of critical approaches, from editorial and textual studies to the latest advances in critical theory. Our textual range encompasses drama, film studies, contemporary women’s writing, queer textualities, material culture, and archives. We are intrigued by the connections between literature and popular culture and literature and theory, and our teaching reflects these interests.
Challenging. Staff offer modules in their areas of research expertise. This means that you will engage with new, up-to-date ideas that are helping to shape and define the future of the discipline.
Supportive. The core modules in Research Methods and Communication will allow you to practise and perfect a range of core professional research and communication skills that will assist you on the course and beyond.
Diverse. A wide range of optional modules gives you the freedom to develop critical and textual specialisms, grounded in flexible research pathways.

Where you'll study

School of English, Communication and Philosophy

Powered by pioneering research, we celebrate curiosity, engage in informed debate and critical analysis, and encourage creative thinking - across and beyond our disciplines.

Get in touch
+44 (0)29 2087 9066
Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU

Admissions criteria

A 1st or upper 2nd class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area is usually required.

Early application is strongly advised, normally well before the end of June. Later applications will be considered, but international students must bear in mind the time needed to obtain a visa.

You may be required to submit a sample essay on a literary topic of your choice. Something you have submitted previously for part of your assessment for a previous degree will be acceptable.

Typical IELTS offer:

A score of band 7.0 on IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 in each category is required for non-native English speakers or those who have not had a substantial part of their education taught in the English language.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.

If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

access to computers or devices that can store images
use of internet and communication tools/devices
curfews
freedom of movement
contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Course structure

Our flexible structure allows you to assemble programmes of study tailored to your personal and professional interests. You can opt for the open pathway, or choose one of our specialist pathways: Medieval and Renaissance; Romantic and Victorian Studies; Modern and Contemporary Literature; Gender and Sexuality Studies; Critical and Cultural Theory, which groups together groups of taught modules with related research activities and skills training available in the School.

You will complete 180 credits in total, comprised of two 20-credit core modules and four 20-credit optional modules plus one 60-credit dissertation.

The part-time programme is split into a taught stage (Part One) which you will undertake in Year One and Year Two, and a dissertation stage (Part Two). Upon successful completion of Part One you will progress onto Part Two.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.

Year one

You will take the 20-credit core module Research Methods and Communications I in the autumn semester of Year One.

You will take two optional 20-credit modules from a range of specialist options. You take one of these optional modules per semester.

You will take 60 credits in Year One (the first core module + 40 credits). Upon successful completion of Year One you will progress to the second year of study.

Core modules for year one

Module title	Module code	Credits
Research Methods and Communications I	SET296	20 credits

Optional modules for year one

Module title	Module code	Credits
Creative Critical Practices	SET288	20 credits
Ways of Translation	SET292	20 credits
The Myth of King Arthur in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries	SET298	20 credits
Heroes and Villains from Chaucer to Shakespeare	SET299	20 credits
Spectral Femininities	SET300	20 credits
Before Homosexuality? Representing Same Sex Desire from Smollett to Sexology	SET301	20 credits
Postcolonial Brontë	SET302	20 credits
Learning to Lead in Shakespeare	SET303	20 credits
Foundations in Theory	SET304	20 credits
Wandering, Retreat and Exile: The Romantic Imagination and Place	SET305	20 credits
The Open Road	SET306	20 credits
Against the Law: Writing and Reading Male Homosexuality in Post-War England	SET307	20 credits
Writers vs Critics vs Fans	SET308	20 credits
Material Culture and Modern American Women Poets	SET309	20 credits
Ecotheories	SET310	20 credits

Year two

You will take the 20-credit core module Research Methods and Communications II in the spring semester of Year Two.

You will take two optional 20-credit modules from a range of specialist options. You take one of these optional modules per semester.

You will take 60 credits in Year Two (the core module + 40 credits). Upon successful completion of Year Two you will progress onto Part Two, the dissertation stage, where you will undertake a dissertation of 15,000-16,000 words on a subject of your choice, developed in consultation with a supervisor in the field. You begin to plan and research your dissertation in the second semester of Year 2 in the core Research Method and Communications II module.

Core modules for year two

Module title	Module code	Credits
English Literature MA Dissertation	SET230	60 credits
Research Methods and Communications II	SET297	20 credits

Optional modules for year two

Module title	Module code	Credits
Creative Critical Practices	SET288	20 credits
Ways of Translation	SET292	20 credits
The Myth of King Arthur in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries	SET298	20 credits
Heroes and Villains from Chaucer to Shakespeare	SET299	20 credits
Spectral Femininities	SET300	20 credits
Before Homosexuality? Representing Same Sex Desire from Smollett to Sexology	SET301	20 credits
Postcolonial Brontë	SET302	20 credits
Learning to Lead in Shakespeare	SET303	20 credits
Foundations in Theory	SET304	20 credits
Wandering, Retreat and Exile: The Romantic Imagination and Place	SET305	20 credits
The Open Road	SET306	20 credits
Against the Law: Writing and Reading Male Homosexuality in Post-War England	SET307	20 credits
Writers vs Critics vs Fans	SET308	20 credits
Material Culture and Modern American Women Poets	SET309	20 credits
Ecotheories	SET310	20 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

All teaching is by seminars and workshops structured around student participation, featuring opportunities to present your work. Each module consists of a two-hour seminar per week.

The teaching in the optional modules is text-based and revolves around the exploration of concepts and ideas from a range of literary, historical, and theoretical perspectives within the broad field of English Literature.

The learning activities vary from module to module as appropriate but will include such activities as interactive discussions of prepared texts/topics and, in some cases, student-led presentations.

You are strongly encouraged to explore our excellent library resources. You are expected to undertake preparation including wide-ranging reading to enable full participation.

Teaching for the core Research Methods and Communications I will be delivered via a two-hour weekly seminar throughout the autumn in Year One. Teaching for the Core Research Methods and Communications II will be delivered via a two-hour weekly seminar throughout the spring semester in Year Two.

How will I be assessed?

Part One is assessed by a range of methods that are designed to develop your ability to present your own thoughts in formal speech and writing, including essays, oral presentations (which are largely formative and aimed at clarifying your essay ideas in advance of summative assessment) and other assessment types that are designed to improve your research and communication skills; such as, for example, a project that allows you to explore communication forms such as recorded presentations (a video essay); blog, wiki, Twitter stream, website presentation or podcast.

Part Two is examined by a 15,000 to 16,000-word dissertation. The dissertation is developed through formal meetings with your supervisor, who provides feedback on draft sections and discusses any ideas that you present orally at the meeting.

There are opportunities for formative assessment on each module; you are also encouraged to discuss ideas for your assessed work with the module leader or supervisor.

How will I be supported?

You will be allocated a personal tutor who will meet you at least once per semester, helping you to reflect on your work and advising you, including directing you to available support relating to study techniques, or student support services in the University. The formal meetings with your personal tutor are designed to formulate concrete strategies to help you reach your full academic and professional potential. Your personal tutor is your first point of contact if you experience any difficulties during your MA studies.

Module leaders are available in their office hours or by appointment to discuss any matters relating specifically to their module. You are encouraged to discuss topics and readings for assessments with your module leaders in the first instance.

You can meet the MA English Literature Programme Director to discuss your progress and any difficulties that might you face.

Reasonable adjustments can be made for disabilities and dyslexia.

Writing skills support is available to all students from academic staff and via the ENCAP Writing Support team.

Careers support includes one-to-once career planning advice meetings and information about placement opportunities.

University support is available for navigating financial, health and wellbeing difficulties.

Feedback: Discussion of essay plans and dissertation proposals is offered throughout the programme, and written feedback is provided on both formative and summative assessments so that you can develop future assessments in the light of your feedback. Further feedback on progress can be received during seminar discussions and at the student conference that you have the opportunity to attend in the second year of study.

The MA Dissertation: You will receive individual one-to-one supervision after the Easter vacation in the Second Year of study and up to the end of December and will be supported by the core modules Research Methods and Communication I and II.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

critically analyse the relationships between literary texts and their cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts
investigate and appraise scholarly research
produce research that demonstrates a sound understanding of the conventions of academic writing at postgraduate level

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to

critically analyse and interpret texts drawn from a variety of sources
undertake critically sophisticated research

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to

synthesise information from multiple sources
communicate sophisticated and independently researched ideas

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

the skills of time management and the ability to work independently to schedules and deadlines
knowledge of the appropriate methods and approaches for communicating research to diverse audiences

Tuition fees

Students from the UK

Fees for entry 2021/22 are not yet available.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.

Students from the rest of the world (international)

We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.

Additional costs

All assessments are submitted in electronic form so there are no additional printing costs.

Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?

You will be provided with essential specialised materials, including computer access and core course materials (books, journal articles) via the Arts and Social Studies Library.

You will be responsible for covering non-essential or basic costs associated with your studies. This can include travel to university, general stationery, laptop computers, copying and printing, and personal copies of books.

Living costs

We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Career prospects

Postgraduate study is a gateway to many careers within and beyond academia.

Many of our alumni enter (or return to) various professions including academia, primary and secondary education, journalism, publishing, archival and library work, the Civil Service, arts administration and the creative industries.

In addition to taught modules and academic workshops, we also offer dedicated sessions to increase your transferable skills and employability prospects. We also encourage all students on the programme to work closely with the University’s Careers and Employability office.

Funding

Master's Excellence Scholarships

An award open to students with a home fee status intending to study one of our taught master’s degrees.

UK Government master’s funding

If you are starting your master’s degree in September 2021 or later, you may be able to apply for UK Government postgraduate funding to support your study at Cardiff University.

English Literature (MA)