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Victorian Studies at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Drawing on Birkbeck's position as a world-leading centre in the field of nineteenth-century studies, our MA Victorian Studies offers you the chance to take a genuinely interdisciplinary approach to studying the literature, culture and history of Victorian Britain. You will encounter a compelling range of Victorian texts, contexts, themes and ideas on a degree course that does justice to the energy and variety of the Victorian period. Two core modules introduce you to some of the most significant debates, ideas and events of the long nineteenth century, and offer you the chance to develop new critical approaches to Victorian studies. These are supplemented by a wide range of option modules, which allow you to pursue your own interests in the field of Victorian studies and beyond. You will be supported with one-to-one supervision for your culminating dissertation. Students in their final year of study have the chance to take an internship module. Successful interns spend a term working with one of London's Victorian cultural institutions, gaining first-hand experience of working in the cultural sector and using their host institution's archives to develop a unique research project. Previous interns have worked with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, the Salvation Army Heritage Centre and Archive, and the Guildhall Art Gallery, and have developed their projects into funded doctoral research topics. Highlights

  • Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • Our lively Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies organises a dynamic range of year-round events that showcase the research of Birkbeck's academics, researchers and students, including our annual Dickens Day and our Forum for Nineteenth-Century Studies. The Centre also established, and for many years hosted, the London Nineteenth-Century Studies Seminar.
  • We offer a number of Master's bursaries and studentships.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in academia and the wider education sector, publishing and editing, the creative arts, library and archive work, arts administration, journalism and writing-based careers. Careers of our recent graduates include:
  • Policy Adviser at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
  • Classics Editor at Penguin Books
  • Curator at the Guildhall Art Gallery
  • Company Manager at the Jupiter Theatre in Florida
  • Director of Education at No More Marking
  • Curator of Contemporary Literary Archives at the British Library
We are also proud of graduates forging their way as successful writers and novelists, and our MA Victorian Studies alumnus who is Britain’s leading young spiritualist medium. We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Assessment is by coursework essays and a dissertation.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Normally a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject such as English, history, philosophy or history of art, but a degree in other subjects will be considered, as will other qualifications. Prior to interview, you will need to submit a short piece of written work (up to 500 words) on any Victorian topic. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. Some courses may require higher scores, particularly in the following subject areas: - arts management - cultural studies - development studies - English literature - film and media - geography - history - history of art - law - organizational psychology - psychology. Please carefully check the Course-Specific Entry Requirements on your chosen programme for details of higher English language entry requirements.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £5400 Year 1
Northern Ireland £5400 Year 1
Scotland £5400 Year 1
Wales £5400 Year 1
International £9915 Year 1

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Victorian Studies at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS