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University of Glasgow: English Literature

Institution University of Glasgow View institution profile
Department School of Critical Studies
Web www.glasgow.ac.uk/
Study type Taught

Summary

This programme gives you the chance to pursue your own interests in English Literature at postgraduate level by selecting from a rich variety of courses led by internationally renowned experts. A core research training course will introduce you to key postgraduate study skills, while a flexible degree structure allows you to select from the full range of optional courses on offer from the School of Critical Studies. You can also add options from elsewhere in the University to construct the course of study that’s right for you. The programme ends with an opportunity to write a dissertation on an English Literature-related topic of your choice.

The MLitt English Literature includes courses relating to Glasgow’s significant strengths in Early Modern Studies, Romantic Studies, and Victorian Studies, as well as courses covering the three areas that have specific MLitt pathways dedicated to them (Modernities, American Modern Literature, and Fantasy).

The structure of the degree and the wide range of different specialist courses allows you to design a bespoke English Literature MLitt programme; you can focus tightly on a particular historical period or field or range widely to cover a broad range of interests.

You will have access to world class libraries and museums, as well as the extraordinary diversity of cultural, literary and artistic events that makes Glasgow such a vibrant place for postgraduate study.

The structure of the degree and the wide range of different specialist courses allows you to design a bespoke English Literature MLitt programme; you can focus tightly on a particular historical period or field or range widely to cover a broad range of interests. You will have access to world class libraries and museums, as well as the extraordinary diversity of cultural, literary and artistic events that makes Glasgow such a vibrant place for postgraduate study. * The core research skills programme includes tailored workshops with the University’s archives and world-class Special Collections, as well as providing the academic and technical skills you will need to succeed at postgraduate level in the university and other professional environments. * Listen to our podcast: Stories from Glasgow - For the Love of Outlander with Prof Willy Maley

The programme is mostly comprised of optional courses, enabling you to tailor your own Masters programme to your area of interest. All students will study our 20-credit core English Literature Research Training Course. You then take five more 20 credit courses and one 60 credit dissertation. The structure for full-time students is as follows:

Semester 1

  • Core course: English Literature Research Training
  • Two optional courses

Semester 2

  • Three optional courses

Summer

  • Dissertation

Courses available change from session to session, but generally we offer at least twenty-five different options in English Literature. A good sense of the subjects we cover can be gleaned from examining the Level 5 options in the course catalogue.

The two semesters of coursework are followed by one term of supervised work towards a dissertation of up to 15,000 words which you will submit at the end of the summer. The topic normally arises out of the work of the previous two semesters, but the choice is very much open to the student’s own initiative. Your supervisor will help you to develop the proposal and plan the most appropriate reading and methodology.

It is also possible to write a dissertation that combines creative writing and a critical component. Normally this possibility is only available to students who have taken the Creative Writing Fiction Workshop (cross-discipline) as one of their options.

Part-time students

Part-time students take the English Literature Research Training Course and three 20 credit courses in their first year of study, and two 20 credit courses and the dissertation in their second year.

Pathways

If you have already identified your area of interest, there are three dedicated pathways through the MLitt in English Literature at Glasgow, in addition to the general programme:

  • English Literature: Fantasy [MLitt]
  • English Literature: Modernities: Literature, Culture, Theory [MLitt]
  • English Literature: American Modern Literature [MLitt]

Each pathway will give you a different mix of core and optional courses.

Programme alteration or discontinuation The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Our MLitt in English Literature provides excellent preparation for PhD study and an academic career. The programme develops key skills sought by many employers, including:

  • the ability to find, select and manage large quantities of information
  • confident and persuasive oral and written communication
  • problem solving through creative and critical thinking.

Graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in writing, editing, publishing, teaching, the media, heritage and creative industries.

MLitt

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, the University has inspired thinkers from eminent scientist Lord Kelvin and the father of economics Adam Smith, to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. 

Rankings

The University:

  • is ranked 81st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023
  • is in the top 100 in the world: Times Higher World University Rankings 2023
  • 95.9% of students in employment or further study 6 months after graduation …
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