Overview

Taught MA degrees at York

We offer a wide range of taught MA degrees, covering the medieval period right up to the 20th and 21st centuries. As an MA student at York, you'll combine your own specialised research with intensive seminar study under the guidance of a leading authority in your field.

Our programmes will be of particular interest to home and overseas candidates looking for:

• a foundation for independent research at PhD level, either in English or in a related area
• a chance to develop your interests in literature before embarking on another career
• a period of advanced study leading to a further qualification which is relevant to your existing career, such as teaching

Our degrees

• MA in Culture and Thought after 1945
• MA in Cultures of Empire, Resistance and Postcoloniality
• MA in Eighteenth Century Studies
• MA in English Literary Studies
• MA in Film and Literature
• MA in Medieval Literatures
• MA in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture
• MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture
• MA in Renaissance Literature, 1500-1700
• MA in Romantic & Sentimental Literature, 1770-1830

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

With the exception of the MAs in Medieval Literatures and Eighteenth Century Studies, all courses are taught and assessed in the same way.

Seminars

Full-time students normally attend two 2-hour seminars a week during the Autumn and Spring Terms of their year of registration; part-time students normally attend one 2-hour seminar a week during the Autumn and Spring Terms of each year of registration.

Assessment

The required course work for all MAs consists of four assessed essays of up to 4,500 words each.

In the Summer Term, full-time and part-time students work on their dissertations, on approved topics, usually related to previous course work. Dissertations, which are of between 15 and 20,000 words, are individually supervised by regular consultation with a member of staff. The dissertation should be submitted in September.

Successful MA candidates are either awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Training

All MA students are required to attend a series of training seminars, designed to provide an introduction to research methods and textual criticism, as a preparation for the writing of essays and theses. Introductory classes in computing, word processing and various languages are also available.

In the course of the year, students will be expected to give regular seminar presentations and to attend research seminars and day conferences mounted by the Department.

Future study

Future study

The taught course introduced me to texts, authors, and theorists which have enriched my research, and have helped to prepare me for a PhD.

Claire, MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture

A high proportion of students following taught MA courses go on to do MPhil/PhD research at York or elsewhere. It is normally expected that students wishing to pursue doctoral research will take an MA in a relevant subject first.

Many, and in particular those who have achieved an MA with Distinction, have proved successful in attracting funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for further research. The AHRC offers PhD funding only to students who have taken or are taking an MA.

• MA by Research, MPhil and PhD