Masters degrees in English
We offer an extraordinarily wide range of taught MA programmes, which reflects the Department's research culture as well as the diversity of our staff, postgraduate community and research interests.
Why study English at York?
Postgraduate study in English is incredibly flexible. You'll be able to study literature across a broad range of major historical periods, or specialise in medieval, renaissance, eighteenth-century and romantic, Victorian, or modern and contemporary literature. Alternatively, you can study thematically, investigating film, poetry, medicine, global literature or modern culture and philosophy.
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Our courses
We foster a supportive learning environment through our small-group seminars that encourage discussion and collaboration. You'll also benefit from valuable training in research methods and textual criticism, preparing you to write essays, theses and published academic work.
Fully-flexible English Literature MA
MAs by literary period
- Medieval Literatures and Languages (MA)
- Renaissance Literature 1500-1700 (MA)
- Literature in the Romantic Period, 1775-1832 (MA)
- Victorian Literature and Culture (MA)
- Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture (MA)
MAs with topic specialism
- Global Literature and Culture (MA)
- Literature in the Creative and Cultural Industries (MA)
- Poetry and Poetics (MA)
Interdisciplinary MAs
- Medieval Studies (MA)
- Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (MA)
- Eighteenth Century Studies (MA)
- Culture and Thought after 1945 (MA)
- Medical History and Humanities (MA)
- Film and Literature (MA)
- Queer Studies (MA)
MA by research
Or search all postgraduate taught courses.
Postgraduate visiting students
Spend up to a year in York as a visiting student from an international university.
35th in the world
for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023.
7th in the UK for English
in the Complete University Guide 2024.
Our facilities
As an English student, you'll have access to Thin Ice Press, our department's in-house printing studio and exclusive study space in the Humanities Research Centre. You'll also benefit from a wealth of libraries and resources available on campus, in the city and around the region.
Scholarships and funding
We have a wide range of scholarships available to postgraduate students. We also offer a tuition fee discount if you've studied at the University of York previously.
Careers
Our postgraduates are sought after by top employers, both in the UK and internationally. A combination of outstanding teaching and a supportive collegiate environment enable you to develop your creativity, intellectual independence and the ability to filter complex information and present it persuasively.
You can take advantage of opportunities which include running workshops, teaching for the Language Training Centre, acting as research assistants for staff, screening films and becoming a postgraduate tutor in one of the colleges. These are fantastic ways to gain relevant experience and bolster your CV.
We have a designated careers officer, whose role is to provide English students with careers-related support and advice. The University's careers service also offers a range of resources, events and support services to help develop your skills and experience while you're at York.
Our graduates
Our postgraduates go into academia and teaching, arts administration, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, social work, politics, the civil service, management consultancy and many more professions.
- Hear stories from York alumni (alumnivoices.co.uk)
- Discover the career choices of alumni from our department - browse graduate profiles
- Meet our postgraduate researchers
