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University of Leicester: English Literature
| Institution | University of Leicester View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of English |
| Web | le.ac.uk/study/postgraduates |
| study@le.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0116 2525281 |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
On our English Literature MA, you’ll explore the rich variety of writing in English from the Middle Ages to the present day, and – if you choose – develop a specialism in a particular period. Our programme allows you to work in-depth on medieval and Renaissance material, or on Victorian literature, or on contemporary literature, and to encounter authors from around the world.
Led by internationally recognised and world-leading experts, you’ll examine the cultural and historical factors that have shaped and continue to shape literature. You’ll build your academic knowledge and professional skills, culminating in a dissertation project of your own devising. In the process, you’ll receive training in research, communication and analysis crucial for a variety of careers.
The programme begins with two core modules designed to hone your skills and practise them on a range of literary works at an advanced level. At Leicester, interdisciplinary investigation is vital to our research. You’ll have the chance to find this out for yourself with your first choice of option. You can choose to study either boundary-crossing literature, creative writing, or film.
From this point, your module choices allow you develop a specialism in a particular period, or mix-and-match to explore a range of topics that intrigue you. You will also take an Advanced Research Methods course to prepare you for your dissertation, and to develop your abilities writing and presenting to academic and non-academic audiences.
Finally, you’ll complete a dissertation with one-on-one support from an academic specialising in your chosen subject. The dissertation provides an excellent grounding in research if you're thinking of continuing to doctoral level, while simultaneously delivering evidence of a wide range of skills that are highly valued by employers.
This programme draws directly on the diverse research of the teaching team. You’ll be taught by experts in literature and related fields, whose expertise is nationally and internationally recognised through their publications, collaborations, and engagement with the public.
You’ll also become part of a vibrant postgraduate and research culture in the School of Arts, Media and Communications. This culture is driven by the interests of students and staff, and by institutes such as the University’s world-famous Centre for Victorian Studies (founded 1966) and the lively Centre for New Writing. Alongside your studies you can join in a variety of formal and informal extracurricular events on literature, language and creative writing running throughout the year. Leicester is fantastic city in which to explore literature, and the city’s diverse, inclusive character is reflected in our academic community and in our curriculum.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A minimum of a 2:1 degree in English literature or language or its equivalent. You will be asked to provide a personal statement as part of your application, explaining why you have chosen this course. Where appropriate, you may be asked to submit an essay as part of our admissions process. We will contact you if this is the case. We recommend that you apply for this course by mid-summer at the latest. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Leicester LE1 7RH |
Summary
On our English Literature MA, you’ll explore the rich variety of writing in English from the Middle Ages to the present day, and – if you choose – develop a specialism in a particular period. Our programme allows you to work in-depth on medieval and Renaissance material, or on Victorian literature, or on contemporary literature, and to encounter authors from around the world.
Led by internationally recognised and world-leading experts, you’ll examine the cultural and historical factors that have shaped and continue to shape literature. You’ll build your academic knowledge and professional skills, culminating in a dissertation project of your own devising. In the process, you’ll receive training in research, communication and analysis crucial for a variety of careers.
The programme begins with two core modules designed to hone your skills and practise them on a range of literary works at an advanced level. At Leicester, interdisciplinary investigation is vital to our research. You’ll have the chance to find this out for yourself with your first choice of option. You can choose to study either boundary-crossing literature, creative writing, or film.
From this point, your module choices allow you develop a specialism in a particular period, or mix-and-match to explore a range of topics that intrigue you. You will also take an Advanced Research Methods course to prepare you for your dissertation, and to develop your abilities writing and presenting to academic and non-academic audiences.
Finally, you’ll complete a dissertation with one-on-one support from an academic specialising in your chosen subject. The dissertation provides an excellent grounding in research if you're thinking of continuing to doctoral level, while simultaneously delivering evidence of a wide range of skills that are highly valued by employers.
This programme draws directly on the diverse research of the teaching team. You’ll be taught by experts in literature and related fields, whose expertise is nationally and internationally recognised through their publications, collaborations, and engagement with the public.
You’ll also become part of a vibrant postgraduate and research culture in the School of Arts, Media and Communications. This culture is driven by the interests of students and staff, and by institutes such as the University’s world-famous Centre for Victorian Studies (founded 1966) and the lively Centre for New Writing. Alongside your studies you can join in a variety of formal and informal extracurricular events on literature, language and creative writing running throughout the year. Leicester is fantastic city in which to explore literature, and the city’s diverse, inclusive character is reflected in our academic community and in our curriculum.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A minimum of a 2:1 degree in English literature or language or its equivalent. You will be asked to provide a personal statement as part of your application, explaining why you have chosen this course. Where appropriate, you may be asked to submit an essay as part of our admissions process. We will contact you if this is the case. We recommend that you apply for this course by mid-summer at the latest. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Leicester LE1 7RH |
Summary
The MA in English Literature offers you the opportunity to focus on the areas of English literary studies that fascinate you, with modules covering literature from the medieval period to the present day. You can choose to study literature before 1800, as well as selecting from specialist modules in Creative Writing, Victorian Literature, and Modern and Contemporary Literature.
This course will allow you to deepen your existing knowledge, discover new fields, and acquire the skills to enable independent research at an advanced level.
You will explore how texts are created and are shaped for different readerships, developing your understanding of textual editing, book history, and material culture.
You’ll also select from option modules, which allow for specialist study of an author, theme or genre. Here the topics can range from twenty-first century fiction, to Victorian novels, to Renaissance drama.
On this MA, your dissertation can be in any period of English literature from the late medieval period onwards. If you have a strong record in carrying out research projects, you could choose to do an extended dissertation – this is often a route for students who want to continue to doctoral study or pursue a career with a particular emphasis on research skills.
Whichever areas of English you choose to focus on during your time here, you will benefit from our excellent teaching, our fantastic library facilities, and high-quality academic support.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | See course page on the university website for entry requirements. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Leicester LE1 7RH |
Summary
The MA in English Literature offers you the opportunity to focus on the areas of English literary studies that fascinate you, with modules covering literature from the medieval period to the present day. You can choose to study literature before 1800, as well as selecting from specialist modules in Creative Writing, Victorian Literature, and Modern and Contemporary Literature.
This course will allow you to deepen your existing knowledge, discover new fields, and acquire the skills to enable independent research at an advanced level.
You will explore how texts are created and are shaped for different readerships, developing your understanding of textual editing, book history, and material culture.
You’ll also select from option modules, which allow for specialist study of an author, theme or genre. Here the topics can range from twenty-first century fiction, to Victorian novels, to Renaissance drama.
On this MA, your dissertation can be in any period of English literature from the late medieval period onwards. If you have a strong record in carrying out research projects, you could choose to do an extended dissertation – this is often a route for students who want to continue to doctoral study or pursue a career with a particular emphasis on research skills.
Whichever areas of English you choose to focus on during your time here, you will benefit from our excellent teaching, our fantastic library facilities, and high-quality academic support.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | See course page on the university website for entry requirements. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Leicester LE1 7RH |
About the University of Leicester
Why Study Here?
The University of Leicester is renowned for world-class research and teaching. Named University of the Year 2025 (Daily Mail) and shortlisted for University of the Year (Times Higher Education 2024 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025), it offers globally recognised degrees.
The University is celebrated for ground-breaking discoveries including genetic fingerprinting and the discovery of King Richard III. A leader in UK space research for 60+ years, it has developed instruments for six active mission – more than any UK university. Research excellence is …
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