MA degree English Literature Courses at University of Nottingham

English is one of the most widely used languages in the world and there is a very long and rich heritage of writing on which the modern language is based. Studying English literature at postgraduate level offers an advanced exploration of literary theory, critical analysis and historical contexts and usually involves writing an extended dissertation project about a topic of your choice within the field.

Entry onto an MA course in English literature at an English university typically requires an upper second-class honours degree in English literature or a related field. It is a popular postgraduate degree course and there are over 60 programmes available at more than 40 universities in England alone. Courses usually take one year to complete, or two to three years with part-time attendance.

What to Expect

You can expect to develop excellent written and spoken communication skills and you’ll have a large quantity of reading material to cover. Exact topics and themes will vary based on the specifics of your course and the direction you choose to take your studies; however, you’ll scrutinise various works and engage in discussions and debates on topics that are raised by the authors.

Essay writing is a fundamental part of your process and assessment. You can expect to write a long-form thesis, which can range from 15,000 to 50,000 words and will be on a topic that you have agreed upon with your academic supervisor, who will help to guide you through the research and development process.

Once graduated, you’ll emerge with refined analytical skills and the ability to express your thoughts and ideas to an extremely high level. You’ll be qualified for a diversity of career paths in academia, publishing, journalism or cultural institutions.