Durham University
English Literary Studies MA
Durham University

Course modalities offered
  • On campus - h Durham University
  • Oct 1, 2024 Part-time - 2 years
  • On campus - h Durham University
  • Oct 1, 2024 Full-time - 1 years

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of English Literary Studies MA at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
15 total respondents
chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
This particular course
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Anthropology courses of Durham University


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Anthropology courses in the UK

Course Description

As a lover of the written word, our MA English Literary Studies offers you the freedom to explore a wide range of themes, genres and periods of time in literature. You can choose to study a named pathway, or to designate your own area of study within the broad MA.

We have a commitment to research-led teaching which is carried out by globally renowned scholars. The breadth and depth of activity in the Department fosters a lively learning environment and offers plenty of opportunities to follow your own interests or explore new areas of study.

You will select three modules from a broad range of themes and genres – from Old Norse to TS Eliot and from women and the novel in the eighteenth century to contemporary US crime fiction to Modernism and Touch. You can further tailor the course to your interests through your choice of dissertation.

Your studies will benefit from the work taking place in research centres and institutes within Durham University, such as the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, the Centre for Poetry and Poetics, the Centre for Modern Conflicts and Cultures, and the Institute for Medical Humanities.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Current jobs

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All courses of Durham University

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of English Literary Studies MA at Durham University

35% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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The MA offers flexibility and independence and a wide range of literary optional modules which allows you to tailor your studies to your interests. Each module is taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students including 18 hours of contact time over the academic year. Given the emphasis on research-led work, you will be expected to do a considerable amount of preparation for the seminars including short presentations and workshop-related activity. You will also undertake a major dissertation on a subject of your choice that will contribute a further 22 hours of contact time over the first two terms through fortnightly seminars, plus five dedicated individual consultations with your dissertation supervisor in the third term. In preparation for the dissertation, you will write a research proposal at the start of the second term and draft a chapter that will be reviewed by your supervisor. While your options are broad, assessment is rigorous, and the majority of modules are assessed by coursework, usually two essays per module. You will also be required to produce a 12,000-word dissertation on your specialist area which could be based on a theme, genre or period. In preparation, you will submit a research proposal for which you will receive feedback and then you will produce a draft chapter which will be commented on by your supervisor.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

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Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

For further information see the course listing.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study English Literary Studies, MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

You will normally require an English or English-related Honours degree (at least a 2:1 or equivalent) from a recognised university.

Please use the 'additional comments' section of the application form to provide a personal statement.

In addition to your three module choices, you will also need to include a piece of written work of approximately 2,000 words in length on a literary subject. This can be any piece of literary-critical work you have completed recently and should be emailed to the applicant portal.

Costs

Tuition Fees English Literary Studies MA

England UK £11750 year 1
Northern Ireland £11750 year 1
Scotland £11750 year 1
Wales £11750 year 1
Channel Islands £11750 year 1
EU £24750 year 1
International £24750 year 1
Ireland £24750 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Languages & Literature

    • #3 
    • #4 
    English
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

Total number of students enrolled at Durham University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Comparative Literary Studies”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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Admission advice for international students