Join a team of world-leading scholars, working at the cutting edge of our discipline to explore an extraordinary world of literature, and illuminate some of its local, European, and global contexts. In our core seminars, research events, trips, and collaborations you'll build up a comprehensive set of research skills. Ambitious and imaginative option modules will extend your current interests, and open up a novel set of perspectives on well-known texts and more obscure works.
You'll study modules from a range of options offered by the Department of English and Related Literature and other departments in York's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. You'll also hone your research skills with dedicated training and complete a research dissertation. You'll study 180 credits in total.
Taught by a team of specialists, the core module will engage with modern and early modern theories of the text. This will equip you with a rich critical vocabulary, skill-set, and analytical approach. On the Postgraduate Life in Practice module, you'll learn valuable skills in research, writing, reflection, presentation, publishing and career development.
You will also study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your dissertation offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your research skills.
In Summer Term and over the vacation you'll work on a 12,000-14,000-word dissertation with regular supervision from a member of staff.
You'll submit your dissertation in September. Recent dissertation topics have included:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll normally attend two 2-hour seminars each week during the Autumn and Spring Terms. If you are a part-time student you'll attend one 2-hour seminar a week during the Autumn and Spring Terms of Year 1 and Year 2.
Seminar groups consist of fewer than 16 students in most modules, though some core modules may be taught in larger groups. You'll complete essential reading for each seminar, and we encourage you to read more widely around the topic.
You'll attend a series of training lectures and workshops, designed to address presenting your work, writing at MA level, transferable skills, and career development.
The University Library has extensive resources, and you can study the exciting collections of early modern books in the Minster Library (the largest cathedral library in the UK) .
York's long history and prime location makes it an excellent place to study this period. You can choose to take classes in the beautiful Minster Library, learn palaeography in one of the biggest archive repositories outside London, and study Latin or a range of other languages. There are frequent field trips – destinations have included a behind-the-scenes look at the Castle Museum, the magnificent Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard, Burton Agnes Hall, and Hardwick Hall.
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work .
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
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