Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Contemporary Literature at York St. John University is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at York St. John University. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in humanities & arts, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in humanities & arts.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at York St. John University.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Humanities & Arts.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Career outcomes
Where could English Literature take you? This postgraduate degree could lead you to a career directly related to English Literature, or it could take you in a completely different direction, using the many transferrable skills you will develop. This will give you an advantage for a career in many employment areas, including: Journalism Marketing and communications Publishing Teaching Libraries and archives Arts and heritage Alumni stories Visit our YSJ Snapshots blog to see what our past students from across the University have done with their York St John degrees. Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Our careers service, Future You, provides support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access: Employer events LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions Workshops on application writing and interview skills Work experience and volunteering opportunities Personalised career advice This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Program Curriculum
Course overview
This course will give you an in depth understanding not just of individual literary texts, but of how they relate to each other, to their wider literary and global context, and to our changing perceptions of literary value. The focus of the modules capitalises on the particular areas of expertise of our dynamic and supportive academic team, but they have also been developed in consultation with industry experts, to ensure your learning is relevant to many different potential career paths. Rather than focusing on a particular form or period of writing, it allows you to explore texts across time, place and genre, and ask questions about literature as a broader concept. This means that when it comes to your final dissertation, you have free rein to focus on whatever genre, form, literary period or theme interests you most. For this extended project. You will be assigned a supervisor from our team, whose research expertise span a wide range of specialisms. The English Literature department at York St John University has an established record of high levels of student satisfaction, and a reputation for being student-focused. As a student on this course you will be part of a vibrant postgraduate community, and an exciting research culture, with several active and welcoming research groups. Our location in York means we can access local archives and repositories containing rare primary sources from the eighteenth century and earlier, such as York Minster Library and Archive and the Bar Convent Archive. We play a big part in York Literature Festival, which attracts an impressive range of authors and literary figures to the city. You can also get involved in events such as York International Shakespeare Festival, the Festival of Ideas, and the York Georgian Festival. Follow us on Instagram at @wordsmatter_YSJ, or on X at @YSJLit . Take a look at our blog: Words Matter
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
Qualifications Minimum entry requirements 2:2 honours degree in a related subject Interview if your honours degree is in an unrelated subject If we have further questions about your application, you may be invited to a short interview. Your application will be reviewed by the English Literature team. International students If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements. Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages. If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent. We are happy to arrange interviews via Skype for overseas students. International entry requirements Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission. Terms and conditions Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 3,500/year (international)
Fees and funding
UK 2026 - 2027 entry The UK tuition fee for 2026 entry to this postgraduate course is: £8,800 for full time study £4,400 per year for part time study These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students. Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies. Funding opportunities International 2026 - 2027 entry The international tuition fee for 2026 entry to this postgraduate course is: £11,800 for 1 year of full time study. These costs apply to all students living outside the UK. Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies. International Fees and Funding Tuition fees UK 2026-27 £8,800 full time International 2026-27 £11,800 full time Alumni Scholarships If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies. Scholarships for alumni
Additional costs and financial support Course-related costs While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips. Accommodation and living costs View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
UK 2026 - 2027 entry The UK tuition fee for 2026 entry to this postgraduate course is: £8,800 for full time study £4,400 per year for part time study These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students. Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies. Funding opportunities International 2026 - 2027 entry The international tuition fee for 2026 entry to this postgraduate course is: £11,800 for 1 year of full time study. These costs apply to all students living outside the UK. Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies. International Fees and Funding Tuition fees UK 2026-27 £8,800 full time International 2026-27 £11,800 full time Alumni Scholarships If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies. Scholarships for alumni
Additional costs and financial support Course-related costs While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips. Accommodation and living costs View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
About York St. John University
York St. John University
York, United Kingdom
York St John University is a modern, student-focused institution located in the historic city of York, United Kingdom. With origins dating back to 1841, the university has evolved into a vibrant...
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)