English Literature

Entry requirements

Normally a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in English Literature or a relevant discipline (which might, for example, include Media or Drama). You should have a keen interest in the subject and a willingness to engage in wide reading around the topic areas.

Months of entry

February, October

Course content

This MA in English Literature will be of interest to both recent graduates and those wishing to return to higher education. It offers a varied programme which allows you to build upon existing interests whilst moving into new and more complex areas of study. The advanced skills that you develop during your MA – for example in argumentation, analysis, research, project management and communication – are sought-after by a wide range of graduate employers, as well as being essential in the progression to doctoral study.

Our programme is a wide ranging one, with lots of variety and opportunities to study authors and texts across different historical periods, and in different forms and genres. It offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in archival research and book history, whilst at the same time honing the theoretical and critical skills necessary for the successful analysis and interpretation of literary and historical sources. Another special feature of our MA programme is its emphasis on literature and locality, with a particular emphasis upon Merseyside, Lancashire and Yorkshire. By examining the relationship between texts and place, graduates will develop a fresh perspective on the literature of the North of England, and better understand historical shifts and developments in description and representation.

Due to the range of expertise of our English Literature staff, our MA students are free to produce a dissertation on a wide variety of topics, from the Early Modern period to the present day.

Information for international students

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.

Fees and funding

Visit our Fees and Funding page for further information.