Accessibility statement

Graduate student profiles

Related links

"a vibrant, international postgraduate community..."

Find out what else our students have said about our department.

Miriam, MA in Cultures of Empire Alex, MA in Film and Literature‌ Emily, MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture Ellen, MA in Medieval Literatures‌ Simon, MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture‎ Catherine, PhD James, MA in Modern Literature and Culture‌ Sarah, MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture Hedley, PhD Camilla, MA in Renaissance Literature, 1500-1700‎ Lavanya, MA in Cultures of Empire  Kirby, MA in Modern Literature and Culture  Inderjit, MA in Renaissance Literature, 1500-1700 Claire, MA in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture and PhD Judith, MA in Modern Literature and Culture ‎ Abigail, MA in Medieval English Literatures  Alex, MA in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture‌ AnnaMaria, PhD in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies‌ Jenny, MA in Victorian Literature and Culture‌ Leigh, MA in Renaissance Literature, 1500-1700‌ Lucy, MA in Poetry and Poetics Laura, PhD Marie, PhD‌ Tom, MA in Film and Literature‌ Richard Lukey, MA in English Literary Studies

Richard, MA in English Literary Studies

Richard Lukey, MA in English Literary Studies

I was 32 years old and had been a fully qualified teacher for six years when I decided to apply for a master’s degree in English literature. I hadn’t studied at university level in six years and so I was a little nervous about it. The University of York’s website was encouraging. I remember thinking that the sense of a top-notch university (York’s English Department is rated as the best research department in the country) actively promoting itself as a friendly and welcoming place was very appealing. That the course convenor contacted me personally to offer me a place only confirmed this impression.

Now that I am nearing completion of my degree, I can say that it has been possibly the most rewarding year of my life. I have learned a great deal in the Department, where leading experts care passionately about their teaching. It has been a joy working through the various modules I was able to choose (from a huge range of options). I now intend to come back here in a year’s time to pursue a PhD. Having the opportunity to spend time thinking, reading and writing at this fine institution has been a privilege.

I have met such a diversity of interesting people as well. York’s postgraduate community is very cosmopolitan. The relationships between students and staff are excellent too: this is a department where genuine concern for your satisfaction and development are readily apparent. I can’t imagine studying anywhere else would be better.