English Literary Studies MA

About this course<br/>The MA in English Literary Studies at University of Southampton (ranked 6th for research quality in the UK, Complete University Guide 2026), offers the opportunity to pursue advanced-level study of literary topics and genres from a wide selection of authors and historical periods, including Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Holocaust literature, Victorian print culture, and literature and law.<br/>The course uses a flexible module structure to provide an advanced understanding of cultural analysis, textual interpretation, and theoretical method. A core focus is to examine how literature shapes public understanding of diverse fields such as climate change, economics, medicine, and religion.<br/>You can choose to specialise by following one of four subject-specific pathways, or you can take a more general approach:<br/>• Eighteenth Century<br/>• Nineteenth Century<br/>• Twentieth Century and Contemporary<br/>• Postcolonial and World Literature<br/><br/>Your future career<br/>This masters degree equips you with valuable transferrable skills such as research, critical thinking, communication, and creativity, which are key for further academic study (PhD) and a variety of careers. Graduates are prepared for roles in sectors including:<br/>• Creative Industries (e.g., writer, digital copywriter, content creator)<br/>• Publishing (e.g., editor, copy editor, proofreader)<br/>• Education (e.g., university lecturer, secondary school teacher)<br/>• Arts Administration and Cultural Organisations<br/>• Media and Communications (e.g., public relations officer, social media manager)<br/><br/>Key features of this course<br/>• Flexibility and Specialisation: The program offers a choice of four distinct pathways or a general route, allowing you to tailor your studies to your specific interests and goals.<br/>• Advanced Research: Youll gain practice in advanced-level research and independent critical thinking, including making effective use of archives, manuscripts, and research libraries.<br/>• Final Project: The program culminates in a 15,000-word dissertation, an in-depth scholarly study of a literary aspect or body of literature of your choice.<br/><br/>Further Information<br/>• Course Duration: The course is offered as a full-time (one-year) masters degree or as a part-time option over two or more years.<br/>• Location: The course is based at the Avenue Campus.