Medieval and Renaissance Literary Studies MA

Durham University

Our MA Medieval and Renaissance Literary Studies develops your knowledge of literature from two significant periods of history and offers you the opportunity to specialise in a particular area from a literary perspective.

Choosing from an extensive range of optional modules you will gain in-depth knowledge of a broad range of literary topics – from Old Norse to Renaissance tragedy, from warrior poets to John Milton – taught by our expert scholars and underpinned by our commitment to research-led teaching. There is also the possibility of undertaking interdisciplinary modules involving other University departments including History and Archaeology.

The course will develop your knowledge of the historical and political context of the literature and the authors, their lives, why they wrote and the impact of their work on society and culture. You can also choose modules which examine the style, construction and vocabulary of the prose.

The MA culminates in a dissertation on a subject of particular interest to you and related to your literary studies.

Your studies will benefit from the innovative 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.

Our course will give you up-to-date and essential training in research methods and skills that will equip you with the knowledge to progress into further research. You will also have access to an extensive extra-curricular events programme, in which leading researchers and writers share their expertise.