Victorian Studies MA

Drawing on Birkbeck's position as a world-leading centre in the field of nineteenth-century studies, our MA Victorian Studies offers you the chance to take a genuinely interdisciplinary approach to studying the literature, culture and history of Victorian Britain. You will encounter a compelling range of Victorian texts, contexts, themes and ideas on a degree course that does justice to the energy and variety of the Victorian period.

Two core modules introduce some of the most significant debates, ideas and events of the long nineteenth century, and offer you the chance to develop new critical approaches to Victorian studies. These courses are supplemented by a wide range of option modules, which allow you to pursue your own interests in the field of Victorian studies and beyond. You will be supported with one-to-one supervision for your culminating dissertation.

Students in their final year of study have the chance to take an internship module. Successful interns spend a term working with one of London's Victorian cultural institutions, gaining first-hand experience of working in the cultural sector and using their host institution's archives to develop a unique research project. Previous interns have worked with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, the Salvation Army Heritage Centre and Archive, and the Guildhall Art Gallery, and have developed their projects into funded doctoral research topics. Read about one intern’s experience.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Our students develop the ability to think critically and creatively, and to articulate their ideas persuasively. Intellectual rigour, sensitivity in assessing a diverse range of materials, and informed debate are transferable skills relevant to a range of careers.

Many MA Victorian Studies students pursue academic careers, and Birkbeck is proud of the number of Victorian specialists working in the field today - in Britain, Europe and the United States - whose passion for the period was nurtured and developed on the MA.

Normally a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject such as English, history, philosophy or history of art, but a degree in other subjects will be considered, as will other qualifications.