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

English Literary Studies (MA)

MAs by literary period

MAs with topic specialism

Interdisciplinary MAs

MA by research

MA in English and Related Literature (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.

English modules for visiting students

Top ten department

We're a top ten research department according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021), and 98% of our research was rated 3* and higher.

32nd in the world and 8th in the UK

for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025.

6th in the UK for English

in the Complete University Guide 2026.

Sophie, English student. Read Sophie's blog post.

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.