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University of Southampton: English Literary Studies (Eighteenth Century)
| Institution | University of Southampton |
|---|---|
| Department | English |
| Web | http://www.southampton.ac.uk |
| AdmissionsPGT.AH@soton.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 023 8059 4732 |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
This master's degree is a specialized pathway within the MA English Literary Studies program, focusing entirely on the culture and history of the Long Eighteenth Century (roughly 1660-1832). It offers the opportunity to carry out in-depth study of texts and topics from this period, including: • 18th-century fiction • Jane Austen • Economics and class • Education • Gender and sexuality You will develop an advanced understanding of cultural analysis, textual interpretation, and theoretical method as applied to this era. We're ranked 6th for research quality in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026).
Key Features and Distinctiveness • Period Specialisation: This is a dedicated pathway for those who want to focus specifically on the 18th Century, allowing for deeper engagement with the period than a general English MA. • Archival Access: The pathway is explicitly linked to Chawton House Library, which holds a unique collection of women's writing and is the ""Great House"" often referenced in Jane Austen's letters, providing excellent resources for research. • Core Module: The ""Approaches to the Long Eighteenth Century"" module, convened on a multidisciplinary basis, introduces students to the key theoretical, historiographical, and conceptual debates of the era. • Final Project: The program culminates in a 15,000-word dissertation, an extended, scholarly study focused on an area of your choice within 18th-century literature.
Your Future Career The course prepares you for careers that require advanced critical thinking, research, and communication skills, particularly in areas related to historical and cultural knowledge. Graduates commonly pursue roles in: • Teaching • Publishing • Librarianship • Cultural Heritage • Further academic research (PhD)
Further Information • Course Duration: Available as a full-time (one-year) master's or a part-time option over two or more years. • Location: The course is based at the Avenue Campus. • Related Pathways: The University offers three other specialist pathways within the MA English Literary Studies degree: Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century and Contemporary, and Postcolonial and World Literature.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You’ll need a 2:2 degree in English literature or a related subject (translation, business english, english education). You will also need to provide a sample of written work for assessment. The sample should be approximately 2,500 words in length. |
| Location | Avenue Campus University of Southampton Avenue Campus Highfield Road Southampton SO17 1BF |
Summary
Explore 18th century literature in depth with a master’s degree at the University of Southampton. This course gives you the chance to specialise in the culture and history of the 18th century, covering topics such as 18th century fiction, economics and class, education, gender and sexuality and Jane Austen. On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for a career in teaching, publishing, librarianship or cultural heritage.
You’ll get the chance to carry out advanced-level research and independent critical thinking, and to make effective use of archives, manuscripts, and research libraries. This pathway is linked to Chawton House Library, the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, which is now home to a unique collection of women’s writing.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You’ll need a 2:1 degree in English literature or a related subject. You will also need to provide a sample of written work for assessment. The sample should be approximately 2,500 words in length. |
| Location | Avenue Campus University of Southampton Avenue Campus Highfield Road Southampton SO17 1BF |
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