Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a 2(i) undergraduate degree in a relevant area, demonstrating high achievement in elements relevant to the proposed research or equivalent experience. In their applications, students should outline the area in which they wish to specialise.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MA Arthurian Studies explores insular (Britain and Ireland) and Continental medieval traditions of Arthurian writing from the inception of the legend (perhaps as early as the 6th century) to the present day. Students may engage in deep comparative study of Latin, Welsh, Irish, Breton and English/French texts, with the additional advantage of studying other linguistic traditions, if necessary in modern English translation.

Our experts teach on such subjects as Welsh and ‘Celtic’ mythology, including its dissemination and reception in modern mystical traditions and wider thought (Aled Llion Jones, Jerry Hunter, Peredur Lynch); the adaptation of Welsh material in modern fiction (Jerry Hunter, Andy Webb); the representation of women, sex and death in medieval literature (Sue Niebrzydowski); medieval English and French romance and chronicles and the medieval manuscript, and the adaptation of medieval motifs in the 19th c and beyond, including editing texts (Raluca Radulescu); Shakespeare, myth in the early modern period (Andrew Hiscock); adaptation of Welsh legend from the 16th to the 19th c. (Jerry Hunter), Romantic medievalism (Carol Tully), Victorian medievalism (Karin Koehler); and modern and contemporary literature (Andy Webb), and film (Greg Frame). Applicants may also work with one of our creative writers to include creative writing in their portfolio of work.

Background

Arthurian Studies is an established area of expertise at Bangor University. A long-standing record of teaching, research and publication attests to its vitality.; the main specialists in the field are Prof. Raluca Radulescu, whose work has focused on Malory, Arthurian romances and chronicles, especially through a cultural approach, and Professor PJC Field, currently President of the International Arthurian Society, and world-renowned for his work on the Arthurian legend through the centuries. This course also draws upon expertise available in other periods of literature within the College of Arts, Humanities and Business, ranging from post-medieval approaches, or medieval Welsh, History and Archaeology, and Music. Staff in these areas contribute regularly to the teaching of Arthurian topics ranging from the medieval period to the present, including music and modern film adaptations.

Course Content

The MA in Arthurian Studies offers a carefully chosen programme of modules to guide you through this rich, interdisciplinary field of investigation and to prepare you for research at an advanced level. The programme consists of two parts: Part One (taught) must be successfully completed before proceeding to Part Two (the dissertation). Students will complete 180 credits, comprising 120 credits taught modules and a dissertation (60 credits).

During semesters 1 and 2 students will typically take the following compulsory modules:

Medieval Arthur: which exploring the Arthurian myth from the earliest archaeological evidence to the end of the fifteenth century, with a view to examining its evolution in a variety of the socio-political and cultural contexts, as well as material culture. Genres studied on this module will include historical documents, chronicles, romance, genealogy, written in Latin, Welsh, English, French, German, Dutch, Norse, Italian, Spanish (in translation, as needed), that is, all the languages in which Arthurian material was created and circulated.
Post-Medieval Arthur: which addresses the adaptations of Arthurian myth and legends from the sixteenth- to the twenty-first century, paying attention to the way the story was shaped in different genres, from popular romance, pastoral, drama, epic, and satire to modern fantasy, the graphic novel, video games and film.

Students will also select a further optional modules from a list that may include:

Material Texts & Editing: a module exploring the rich field of working with texts - from manuscripts in the early medieval centuries to screenings in the digital age. Students have the opportunity to meet for seminars in the University archives department and to work with a team of practising academics showcasing their research experience with writings from the eighth to the twenty-first century.
Manuscript and Printed Books: an introduction to the study of medieval and early modern palaeography and codicology, in co-operation with the Bangor University Archives and Special Collections, which include the library of Bangor Cathedral.
Other options may include: Creative Writing: Poetry, Creative Writing: Prose, Critical Theory, Practice and Research, Understanding the Middle Ages, Creation of the Modern Celt* and The Celt: Celtic Institutions*.

For Part 2 of this course students will progress to the dissertation element, which runs across the summer. Students will be able to select either the Postgraduate Dissertation, or the Creative Writing Dissertation. The dissertation represents the culmination of the programme of study in the production of either a substantial piece of scholarly research (Postgraduate Dissertation) or a substantial piece of creative writing (Creative Writing Dissertation). Students will be supported by an academic supervisor with meetings to discuss ideas, resources, approaches and final drafts of the dissertation.

*Welsh-medium version available

Information for international students

International students whose first language is not English: An IELTS score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0 is required.

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages on the International Education Centre section of our website.

Fees and funding

Please read our Fees & Finances pages for the most up to date information. You can also find out more about Postgraduate Funding & Scholarships on our website.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

MA
part time
24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
full time
12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: Postgraduate Admissions Team
Email: pgenquires@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: 01248 351151

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Arthurian Studies