Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 English Literary Studies (MA) MA English Literary Studies Explore a wide range of literature across different periods and genres. Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time School/department Department of English and Related Literature Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Study the cultural meanings and associations of the various styles, genres and mediums in which English literature is produced. Explore a range of different critical and theoretical perspectives on advanced literary study on this flexible Masters programme. Choose the modules that interest you the most, and develop an understanding of how English literature engages with a range of political, social and aesthetic issues.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Interdisciplinary Studies.
- 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
Careers and skills
Our postgraduates go into a wide variety of industries, from arts administration to law. Many alumni have also gone on to become successful novelists, poets and playwrights.
Career opportunities
- broadcast journalist
- editor
- content producer
- English teacher
- marketing manager
- lecturer
Transferable skills
You'll develop a range of transferable skills including:
- developing your creativity
- improving your ability to filter and analyse complex information
- intellectual independence and independent working
- time management and people skills
- communicating your research
- methodological skills
- intercultural awareness
Program Curriculum
Course content
You'll choose option modules from a range offering opportunities to work across different literary periods and genres. You can choose from modules on poetry, fiction and drama from the medieval to the modern. You can study literature in relation to issues of gender, politics, film or postcolonialism, and enrich your learning with a module from another arts and humanities department. Some modules will take an interdisciplinary view, others will focus on a particular discipline.
You'll also hone your research skills with dedicated training, and complete a research dissertation. You'll study 180 credits in total.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules You'll learn valuable research, writing and presentation skills. Topics may include using library and online research resources, use of archives, academic writing and how to get work published. Postgraduate Life in Practice Option modules You will also study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Out of Time: Sexuality, Textuality and the Queer Temporal Turn Auteures: Gender, Power and Authorship in Film and Literature Wollstonecraft to Jane Austen: Femininity and Literary Culture Writing Worlds: Power, Publishing & Resistance Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Dissertation Your dissertation offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your research skills. You'll work on a 12,000-14,000-word dissertation with regular supervision from a member of staff. You'll submit your dissertation at the end of your course. Recent dissertation topics include: Impotence, Infidelity, and Male Identity in Restoration Sex Comedies Reticence in Modern Northern Irish Poetry Beauty and Beasts: The Women of Guillermo del Toro’s Films Godlessness, Love and Fame in Shakespeare’s Poetry Windows and Thresholds in Margaret Oliphant's Fiction
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. We will consider applications from students with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules or appropriate professional experience. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Additional requirements
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work . English language If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications: Qualification Minimum requirement IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, minimum 126 in each component Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component Kaplan Test of English Language 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component Trinity ISE III Merit in all requirements For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements . If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,680/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)