Durham University
Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies MA
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Twentieth and Twenty-First Century 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
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


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

Course Description

The MA in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies takes you on a fascinating and rewarding journey through a range of modern literary genres including US crime fiction, Shame and Modern Writing and Anti-Capitalist Poetics.

You will be able to pursue your own literary interests supported by the high-quality research expertise existing within the Department, equipping you with the skills and knowledge in the latest research methods to be able to move on into further research or prepare for a professional career.

This flexible course offers the opportunity to choose three modules from a broad range of literary subjects and genres. You will also be required to produce a dissertation on your chosen specialism. Learning will mostly be through seminars supported by feedback from supervisors on coursework essays.

Postgraduate students benefit especially 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.

The range of subjects, genres and styles that comprise literature in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries is significant and is fully reflected in the choices you will be able to make on this course. You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding in an intimate and supportive environment.

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.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

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

Example below based on all graduates of Twentieth and Twenty-First Century 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

Grading & Study Time

The learning structure on this course provides a broad-based study of literary subjects in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the opportunity to specialise in your particular area of interest. You will select three modules that are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10, with each module generating 18 hours of contact time over the academic year. 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 your dissertation, you will submit a research proposal at the beginning of the second term, for which there will be constructive feedback. You will then produce a draft chapter, for which, again, there will be feedback from your supervisor.   The assessment process is challenging but rewarding and culminates in a 12,000-word dissertation on a subject you have chosen and developed. Most modules are assessed by essays. A small number of modules employ more specific methods of assessment including an editing exercise, portfolio and critique.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this 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 Twentieth and Twenty-First Century 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.

Costs

Tuition Fees Twentieth and Twenty-First Century 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 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).

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.

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 37 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

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
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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