Introduction
Take your passion for reading to the next level explore important topics such as global citizenship, human and animal rights, equality, and truth with our Master's in English Literature.
Already have an ARU degree? You may be eligible for our Alumni Scholarship for students starting postgraduate courses.
If you love reading and want to advance and gain research skills that will provide new directions for future employment and form the basis for further study, this is the postgraduate course for you.
The core modules focus on three key areas: Literature and Landscape; Utopias and Dystopias; and a special topic, such as life writing or children’s literature. You'll study texts – both fiction and non-fiction – from different periods and a range of genres and consider the relationship between each text and the political, social, historical, scientific and/or religious contexts of its production.
You'll gain skills in research, critical thinking, fluent expression, and enterprise, and can add further strings to your bow with optional modules including novel writing, publishing, and history.
Course options
Key facts
Student experience
Dr Cassie Gorman
Cassie’s research revolves around science in long 17th century literature - she literally wrote the book on The Atom in Seventeenth-Century Poetry.
Read Cassie's Spotlight interview
Dr Cassie Gorman
Hear Course Leader Cassie talk about her project to unearth manuscripts by 17th-century women writers, and how studying English Literature helped her gain confidence to voice new ideas.
Listen to Cassie’s Spotlight podcast
Going to the Moon 400 years ago
Voyages to other worlds in 17th Century literature by Dr Cassie Gorman.
Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?
One famous line, two things you may not realise, from Professor Eugene Giddens.
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Facilities and showcase
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more
- make the most of studying in the picturesque city of Cambridge, with its wealth of cultural connections and opportunities.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Lecturers
John Gardner
Dean of the Doctoral School
Careers
Our MA English Literature will give you the higher-levels skills to stand out in today’s competitive job market.
If you are a teacher, you could study with us to update your knowledge and further your existing career, or even move into another discipline. Or, if you are looking to move on to an academic post, this course will give you the research skills you will need for your future career.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU, such as our PhD English Literature or PhD English Language and Linguistics. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
Want to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
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Benefits of postgraduate study
Improve your employability, progress in your career, and take on an intellectual challenge with our flexible postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate study at ARU