Explore the place of literature in the creative industries through a unique combination of research and practice.
Year of entry: 2027 (September)
Show year of entry: 2026/27
Connect literary topics the study of the creative industries. You’ll explore fundamental links between the two disciplines in a core modules, then put theory into practice through a diverse range of option modules.
Gain practical skills in writing and letterpress printing. We’re home to Thin Ice Press, the Department’s very own print studio. You can develop your own portfolio of work to enhance your understand of creative practices.
Make use of a range of libraries and archives on campus and beyond. You’ll have direct access to a rich variety of poetry and audiovisual collections, as well as the Humanities Research collections. The city of York also has amazing museums, libraries and archives that cover a wide range of periods.
Develop your passion for literature beyond your course. Our Writers at York series brings contemporary writers to the Department for readings and workshops, and a wide range of student societies cater to literary interests. PrintSoc, the University’s Print and Press Society, hosts talks and workshops in collaboration with Thin Ice Press.
The Department of English and Related Literature offers world-class research and a vibrant academic community. I wanted to be part of it.
Nana, English and Related Literature MA student. Watch Nana's vlog.
You'll be encouraged to devise a distinctive path through the full range of our Masters options, and relevant modules in other departments, to reflect your individual passions, curiosities and research ambitions. Modules are assessed by a research essay or practical research project, and students' developing research skills are then brought to bear on a substantial dissertation relating to the field.
In addition to the course-specific module, Critical Approaches to the Creative Industries, core modules will cover valuable research, writing and presentation skills. Topics may include using library and online research resources, use of archives, academic writing and careers guidance. You'll select from a wide range of option modules including relevant modules from the MA Management in the Creative and Cultural Industries course.
You'll study 180 credits in total.
You will also study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your dissertation offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your research skills. You'll work on a 12,000-14,000-word dissertation with regular supervision from a member of staff. The dissertation on this programme can also incorporate a practical project, which might take the form of a publishing project, community-based activity, or practice-based portfolio.
You'll submit your dissertation at the end of your course.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,420 | £27,840 |
| Part-time (2 years) | £6,210 | £13,920 |
Fees are for year one. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, we will provide digital access. We'll let you know which texts and editions you'll need to buy (whether new or second-hand) before the start of each semester.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2027/28 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll normally attend two 2-hour seminars each week. If you are a part-time student you'll attend one 2-hour seminar a week.
Seminar groups consist of fewer than 16 students in most modules, though some core modules may involve a larger number of students. You'll complete essential reading for each seminar, and we encourage you to read more widely around the topic.
You'll attend a series of training lectures and workshops, designed to address presenting your work, writing at MA level, transferable skills, and career development.
Over the course of the year, you'll have the opportunity to attend research seminars and conferences hosted by the Department. You can also attend events organised through the Humanities Research Centre, a stimulating community unique to York.
You can make use of our dedicated study spaces, including the F.R. Leavis Room and the Writing lab, to work, collaborate and socialise in.
York's library contains a rich variety of resources available to you. This includes, but is not limited to:
The city of York also boasts rich, scholarly resources in a student-friendly and contemporary environment. You can immerse yourself in a range of public libraries and archives around the city and region.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature on Campus West. Most of your contact hours will be in locations nearby on Campus West, including the Department's letterpress studio, Thin Ice Press.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
For some modules you will submit essays of 3,500-4,000 words. For others, you may have practical projects, which might include print or publishing projects or practice-based portfolios. The Postgraduate Life in Practice module will be assessed on the completion of a series of tasks connected to your core work for the MA. Your final assessment is a dissertation of 12,000-14,000 words.
There’s a wide variety of possible career paths open to you after completing this MA, both across industry and academia. You'll develop skills that are useful in any industry.
Career opportunities are likely to include a variety of roles within:
You'll develop a range of transferable skills including:
Accelerate your professional network. We'll connect you with the guidance, industry links and experiences to help you stand out and find your career advantage.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 60 with 52 in Listening, 53 in Reading, 65 in Speaking, and 59 in Writing |
| TOEFL | 4.5, with 5 in Listening and 4.5 in each other component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
