The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
English Literature
MA or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Location
Course length
Full time: PGCert: 4 months, PGDip: 9 months, MA: 12 months
Part time: PGCert: 2 semesters, PGDip: 3 semesters, MA: 24 months
Department
Overview
Our MA in English Literature offers an exciting and challenging course of graduate study covering a range of periods and genres from the Renaissance to the Contemporary.
During the course you'll:
- take a core compulsory module in which you'll learn about a variety of perspectives on theory and method in postgraduate English studies
- choose two elective modules from a wide range of options, periods and genres
- undertake an advanced in-depth study of a topic of your choice from English Literature for your dissertation.
You'll study with internationally-renowned scholars who regularly publish in their field. And you'll have access to inspiring, on-campus literary resources such as:
- Man/Booker Prize archive
- Royal Literary Fund fellows
- the Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre.
As well as full reader access to the Bodleian Library, one of the most important research collections in the world.
Oxford is one of the most literary cities in the world. Home to J. R. R Tolkien and C.S Lewis, and inspiration to countless authors, poets and dreamers - what better city in which to study literature?

How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
You should normally hold an upper second-class honours degree, or its equivalent, in English Literature or a related subject.
You also need to provide a writing sample; it should showcase your writing at its best. For many the sample would consist of an advanced-level undergraduate essay that features:
- Close engagement with primary sources (literary texts and/or other evidence)
- Critical engagement with secondary sources (scholarly criticism, and/or theory, where appropriate)
- A formal scholarly apparatus (notes, bibliography, works cited, etc).
If the above is not an option for you, then we're happy for you to submit one of these alternatives:
- A piece of professional writing that engages with academic study or other research
- A review of a literary work you have read recently, which makes use of current literary criticism/academic sources about the writer(s).
The sample should be 1500-2500 words, but if you use a longer piece - highlight the 2500 words you want us to focus on.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to provide certification of your English language proficiency. For this course you will need an IELTS score of at least 7, with at least 6.0 in each element.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
All applicants should send their writing sample in English – together with the application form.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Financial support and scholarships
There are International Student Scholarships available for 2020 and other scholarships and funding options for postgraduate international students.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
You have the option of pursuing either a specialised pathway in Early Modern (Renaissance), Nineteenth Century, or Modern and Contemporary Literature, or a General Literature Studies Pathway, in which you take a combination of modules that match your interests. The course is flexible, allowing you to adapt it according to your needs and research ambitions.
For the MA in English Literature you take a total of four modules comprising:
- one compulsory core module (Critical Debates and Methods)
- two elective modules
- a dissertation.
The Postgraduate Certificate provides an introduction to advanced work in your discipline. You will take:
- Critical Debates and Methods (40 credits)
- one elective module (40 credits).
The Postgraduate Diploma enables a greater degree of specialisation in your chosen field. You are not required to produce a research dissertation but will complete:
- Critical Debates and Methods (40 credits)
- two electives (each 40 credits).

Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
We teach using:
- small-group seminars
- Workshops
- individual tutorials.
Classes are held in the evenings, with sessions running from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.
Part-time students attend the University one evening per week and should be able to devote an additional 12-15 hours per week to private study.
Full-time students attend classes on two evenings per week and spend 30 hours per week in private study.
Shorter postgraduate courses in English Literature are also available (the Postgraduate Diploma and the Postgraduate Certificate) and it is possible to transfer between these courses.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Assessment is entirely by written work and occasional oral presentations. There are no examinations.
Our virtual learning portals provide core materials relating to learning and assessment online. These include
- lecture schedules
- module guides
- supporting materials
- guidelines and
- criteria for coursework, along with notes on essay writing and report presentation.
Research
The Department of English and Modern Languages has several collaborative research communities, including:
- The Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre
- Materialities
- Networks and localities
- Medicine, science and technology
- Memory and life-writing
- The Oxford Brookes language and discourse.
We support our doctoral students and encourage wide participation both through our partnerships and our busy programme of conferences, public events and lectures.
Research students are supervised by a team of tutors, including a director of studies and at least one other supervisor.
Research supervision is offered in the following areas:
- Romantic writing
- Contemporary literature
- The pre-raphaelites
- American literature avant-garde writing
- Witchcraft in the 19th century
- John Clare and eco-criticism
- Ben Jonson
- Shakespeare
- Theatre and science
- Utopias
- Thomas More
- Modernist Poetry
- Stylistics
- Victorian religion
- Literature and technology
- Literature as therapy
- Literature and war.

After you graduate
Career prospects
Our alumni go on to a wide range of careers in different sectors, including:
- teaching
- publishing
- NGO/charity work
- media production
- the creative industries.
Employers value our postgraduate students’ advanced problem-solving, research, and communication skills.
Recently, Jenny Mayhew, English PhD student, had her first novel published, A Wolf in Hindelheim. A significant number of successful MA students continue into further research and academic careers, at Brookes and other institutions.
The MA course offers an excellent grounding in further study in English no matter what you decide to do afterwards, and provides the research experience and training you need to pursue a successful PhD project.
Student profiles
Our Staff
Dr Eric White
Eric White works on American modernism in the transatlantic context, and his research focuses on avant-garde writing, literary networks, and technology
Read more about EricProfessor Nicole Pohl
Nicole Pohl has published and edited books on women's utopian writing in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, European salons and epistolarity.
Read more about NicoleProgramme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.