University of Birmingham: School of English, Drama, and Creative Studies
Why you should choose the School of English, Drama and Creative Studies at the University of Birmingham
Join a community of writers, filmmakers, performers and creatives at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
We’re home to students across English Literature, Linguistics and Communication, Shakespeare Studies, Film, Creative Writing, Digital Media and Drama.
Our postgraduate taught courses
- MA English Literature
- MA Applied Linguistics (including distance learning and PGCert options)
- MA Applied Linguistics with TESOL
- MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (including distance learning and PGCert options)
- MA Language, Culture and Communication
- MA Digital Media and Creative Industries (September and January starts available)
- MA Digital Media and Communications (available at our Birmingham and Dubai campuses)
- MA Shakespeare (including distance learning option)
- MA Shakespeare and Creativity
- MA Film and Television: Research and Production
- MA Creative Writing
Discover our masters programmes
Our postgraduate research courses
- PhD / MA by Research English Literature
- PhD / MA by Research Linguistics and Communication
- PhD / MA by Research Shakespeare Studies
- PhD Film Studies with Audio-Visual
- PhD / MA by Research Film Studies
- PhD Creative Writing
- PhD / MA by Research Drama and Theatre Studies
- PhD / MA by Research Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based
Explore our research programmes
Employability
At Birmingham, you’ll nurture your creativity while developing real-world skills to enhance your career.
We’re proud to be the UK university most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers for two years in a row (The Graduate Market in 2024 and 2025 High Fliers reports).
Our industry-recognised academics include:
- Dr Anna Metcalfe, one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists
- Dr Chris Nunn, who helped produce the Children of the Wicker Man documentary
- Professor Abigail Rokison-Woodall who collaborates with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to help Deaf children access Shakespeare
Industry connections
Many of our postgraduate programmes offer direct connections to the creative industries. These include:
- Media based work placements (MA Film and Television: Research and Production)
- Opportunities to collaborate with our cultural partners on live briefs (MA Digital Media and Creative Industries)
- Behind-the-scenes opportunities with the RSC (MA Shakespeare and MA Shakespeare and Creativity)
“I would absolutely recommend studying English at the University of Birmingham, especially if you love to read like I do. The University is well-recognised when you're applying for jobs.”
Frankie, MA Shakespeare Studies alumna and Volunteer Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Available scholarships
We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships at the University of Birmingham to support your studies. Available scholarships include:
- College of Arts and Law Masters scholarship – tuition fee discount covering the UK tuition fee amount. Available to UK and International students studying any subject in the College of Arts and Law.
- High Fliers scholarship - £5,000 scholarship for international students from specific countries.
- Birmingham Masters scholarship - £3,000 tuition fee discount for UK students.
Closing dates vary per award – our College of Arts and Law Masters scholarship closes on 25 March 2026.
Ready to find out more?
Chat to staff and current MA students in the School of English, Drama and Creative Studies at our next postgraduate event.
Find our next event and book your place
