Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Medieval Literatures and Languages (MA) MA Medieval Literatures and Languages Explore the medieval world through its language and literature. 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 whole range of medieval English literature — a dynamic, multilingual literary culture in which English interacted with many other languages and literatures. Taught and supervised by world-leading scholars, with expertise in Latin, Old English, Middle English, Old Norse, Old French, medieval Italian, medieval Arabic, and Palaeography, you'll learn a range of linguistic and technical skills which are essential for further medieval research. You'll apply these skills to a substantial piece of independent work, giving you a foundation for doctoral research, as well as transferable skills for careers in heritage and culture, teaching, publishing, and arts management.
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 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
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
- English teacher
- education coordinator
- full time writer
- private tutor
- museum and gallery assistant
- bookseller
Transferable skills
- 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 study modules from a wide range of choices offered by the Department of English and Related Literature or the Centre for Medieval Studies. You can study the literature of medieval England, and explore other medieval European literatures as well.
You'll also study research skills, and complete a research dissertation. The total number of credits for the course is 180.
Modules Dissertation Modules Reading the Middle Ages skills options Our skills modules give you the choice of studying two European medieval languages, a language and palaeography, or Arabic. Options typically include Latin (4 levels), Old English (2 levels), Old Norse, Old French, and three different periods of palaeography. Either: Reading Medieval Texts or Multilingual Middle Ages or Arabic for Research Option modules You will 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. The Medieval Book England in Europe: Literary Culture from Alfred the Great to Ælfric Viking Poetry Reading Dante's Comedy: Text and Context Fictions of Audacity: Middle English Romance There are also a wide range of further option modules offered across all the Department's MA programmes which are available to you. You may also choose available modules from other arts and humanities departments. 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 examples include: Author, Reader, Translator: Chaucer's Reinvention of the Boethian Orpheus in Troilus and Criseyde Dogs in Middle English Romances: The Context behind Canine References Alcohol as a Literary Device in Early Medieval Literature The Boke of Saint Albans and Female Presence in Early Print Culture Emma of Normandy and Edith of Wessex: Familial Roles and the Legitimacy of Queenship in the Last Half-Century of the Anglo-Saxon Period Finding 'the ryghte waye': Women's Interactions With 'Places' and 'Spaces' in Middle English Romance The Association of Women with Animals in Three Middle English Romances Fishing for Trolls: Land, Food, and Identity in the Hrafnistumannasogur "Worda and worca": The Function of Speech in Heroic Literature
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. You do not need to have specialised in medieval literature at undergraduate level, or already mastered the languages required for the degree as we will provide intensive training during the course. 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- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)