27Nov
PostgraduateCourse summary
If you want to undertake further English literature study with an MA, but don't want to specialise in any one area, MA English Literature may be the perfect course for you. With such a wide range of expertise in the department, you have the option to choose units from the MAs in Medieval Studies, Shakespeare, Victorian Literature, Art and Culture and specialist options in Modernism and Contemporary Literature. The course is ideal if you are interested in more than one period of English literature, or if you want to combine or juxtapose the literatures and genres of different periods. You'll choose the equivalent of two whole courses from across the four MA literature programmes and research a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation as well as the unifying course of the MA, 'Methods and Materials of Research'. Join a department that's joint 2nd in the UK for outstanding and world-leading research environments (REF 2014). You'll benefit from our incredible research: over two thirds of our research was judged ‘world leading and internationally excellent’ in REF 2014. All staff in the department are highly regarded scholars, writers and critics who are engaged in research, writing ground-breaking books, talking to or writing in the national media, and providing expert advice to organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Department for Education and other national and international bodies. Students are able to study this course full-time for one year or part-time for two years.
Modules
Dissertation; Methods and Materials of Research. A range of optional modules are also available.
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out by essays and a dissertation.
Entry requirements
2:1 In a related subject. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider a high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘high 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above. Applicants will be required to submit a sample of recent written work, such as two short essays or an extract from a dissertation.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £11600 | Year 1 |
| EU | £26100 | Year 1 |
| England | £11600 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11600 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11600 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11600 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £11600 | Year 1 |
| International | £26100 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. For further information, please visit: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX