English Literature MA

You'll turn your passion for reading into transferable critical thinking skills. On the MA you'll conduct rigorous research and analyse literature, developing your own interpretations - perfect for preparing for a PhD or a wide range of careers. 

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

You can focus in-depth on the area of English Literature you're passionate about with our pathway options. You'll discover new ways to approach literature by considering different theories, methods and the key intellectual debates surrounding literary movements.         

• Live in a city that shares your love of literature - contribute to our student newspaper, enjoy talks from high profile authors like Michael Rosen, and attend city-wide literary festivals.
• Join postgraduate-run literary reading groups or attend talks and conferences led by academic staff in the department.
• The University of Birmingham is ranked in the top 30 for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Design your MA around your literary passions

You can study a range of English literature - from medieval poetry to contemporary and genre fiction. If you're fascinated by a particular literary period, you can delve deeper into your interests with our pathway options. Take your learning beyond the classroom and join other MA students and PhD researchers at literary reading groups or talks led by academic staff in the Department. 

On our MA you can choose to specialise in a specific area of English Literature. Our current pathways are: 

• Medieval Literature pathway
• Long Nineteenth-Century Literature pathway
• Modern and Contemporary Literature pathway
• Popular Literature and Culture pathway   

Alternatively, you can pick modules from across these literary periods. Either way, you’d need to apply to MA English Literature and if you'd like to specialise, you'll choose the pathway when you begin the course. All students who complete the course will graduate with an MA in English Literature and your degree certificate won't refer to the pathway you choose. 

Course delivery

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Dissertation – you'll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students must choose 100 credits of optional modules

Students should choose three modules from those available in semester 1:

Students should choose two modules from those available in semester 2:

You should have an honours degree in English Literature or in a similar subject with a heavy literary element. You’ll need at least a high 2:1 (65 or above) result, or a 3.5/4.0 GPA.

Prospective students with joint honours in English Literature and another similar subject, or single honours in a subject that includes substantial work in English Literature, are welcome to apply.

You'll need to have a very high competence in written English and we expect you to have an extensive undergraduate exposure to literary studies in English across a broad historical range.

You should also submit a sample of written work as part of the online application process. You can do this before you submit your application form or return to the application to upload your sample at a later date.

The writing sample should be a piece of academic writing from your first degree on English (or Anglophone) literature. It needs to demonstrate your ability to close read and analyse primary texts (e.g. a novel, poem, or film), and to construct an argument (please note that journalism and creative writing - including poems, stories, or memoirs - are not acceptable).

We can’t read more than 2,000 words of submitted written work. Please either send a sample of 2,000 words or indicate which part of a longer work you would like us to read.

You must also submit a personal statement. This should be an account of your current, developed literary interests arising from your undergraduate or other literary studies and should indicate your plans to extend these as a postgraduate student of English literature.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our English graduates enter many roles, including:

• Editorial
• Bid Writer
• Publicity

Employers our English graduates have worked for include:

• Birmingham Museums Trust
• Hachette UK
• Penguin Random House

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Accommodation

Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.

Living in Birmingham

As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.

Campus life

Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.

Student support

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.