Course overview

This course gives you the opportunity for advanced study in an intellectually lively department with a long tradition of excellent teaching and an international reputation in research.

It is focused on three periods of literary history, the Renaissance, the 'long' 19th Century; and the 20th/21st Century. The fourth module, Research Methods, equips you with the skills needed to complete your major project. One of these modules can be replaced by an Independent Learning Project, tailored to meet your individual requirements, or a module from the MAs in Creative Writing or Film (subject to the course leaders' approval).

In addition to accessing the good library facilities at Anglia Ruskin and major electronic resources such as Early English Books Online and JSTOR, a high-quality, interdisciplinary archive to support scholarship and teaching, you will be able to make use of the world-class Cambridge University Library. This MA will appeal to you whether you want to improve your career prospects (for instance as a teacher), go on to doctoral research, or simply broaden your intellectual horizons.

Additional course information

You will have the opportunity to extend your knowledge of a range of literature, particularly from the Renaissance period to the present. Each of the three period-based modules on the English course is structured around a particular theme and investigates the social and cultural contexts of literature. The course can also be tailored to meet individual interests. You will have the opportunity to develop skills in literary criticism, research, writing and presentation.

In addition to teaching time on-campus, all courses require intensive self-guided learning, research or private study and there may also be optional training, seminars, visits, lectures or master classes to attend.

Teaching runs in two 12-week semesters from September to December (modules one and three) and January to May (modules two and four). Each module meets weekly for the duration of the semester for one two-hour seminar. Teaching takes place in seminar groups, which are run on a discussion rather than a lecture format. The MA Course Leader and the staff team are also available for one-to-one support and advice.

In consultation with the MA Course Leader, students may substitute one module for a module from the MAs in Film or Creative Writing, or for an Independent Learning Project. This module enables students to work independently on topics not provided within existing modules, subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, textual editing, film and literature, science fiction and topics in contemporary theatre and performance.

Assessment

Modules one and three are assessed by a short critical review and an essay. Module two is assessed by an essay and a presentation. Research Methods is assessed by an annotated bibliography, critical review essay and dissertation proposal. The dissertation is assessed on the basis of a 15,000 word piece of research.

Essay consultation workshops are built into this course, and sample assignments are available in Study Packs or for consultation from the faculty Office. There is a Royal Literary Fund fellow designated for postgraduates to consult for one-to-one assistance with their writing.

Facilities

Our department organises extracurricular activities such as a three-day Stratford-upon-Avon theatre study trip; frequent poetry readings; regular literary events organised by the Literary Society and CAMPUS (The Cambridge Publishing Society); one-day symposia and conferences. The Mumford Theatre, which is situated at the heart of the campus, plays host to a range of professional touring, local community and student theatres. It also presents music events including a series of free lunchtime concerts.

Cambridge is a beautiful and historic university city. With a student population of some 25,000, it also offers a young, vibrant and creative environment. The city is full of student bookshops, cafés, cinemas, art galleries, museums and an exceptional number of theatre and concert venues, both mainstream and experimental. London is within easy reach of Cambridge by train or coach.

Libraries
Our campus libraries offer a wide range of publications and a variety of study facilities, including open-access computers, areas for quiet or group study and bookable rooms. We also have an extensive Digital Library providing on and off-site access to e-books, e-journals and databases.

We endeavour to make our libraries as accessible as possible for all our students. During Semester time, they open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and for 12 hours on Sunday.

IT resources
Our open access computer facilities provide free access to the internet, email, messaging services and the full Microsoft Office suite. A high speed wireless service is also available in all key areas on campus. If you are away from campus or a distant learner, our student desktop and its many applications can be accessed remotely using the internet. Your personal student email account provides free document storage, calendar facilities and social networking opportunities.

Throughout your studies you will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), providing course notes, reading materials and multi-media content to support your learning, while our e-vision system gives you instant access to your academic record and your timetable.

Special features

We were awarded an 'Excellent' in the last national assessment of teaching quality and 95% of the work submitted in the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008) was judged to be of international standard, with 60% judged to be either 'internationally excellent' or 'world-leading' (grade point average of 2.7). This places us amongst the top Departments in the country for teaching quality and research expertise.

We offer a wide-ranging research seminar series of papers by staff and visiting speakers, which postgraduates are welcome to attend and to present at.

Course Leader

Prof. Rowland Wymer

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Associated careers

Recent graduates have taken positions in arts administration, furthered their careers in teaching, and pursued doctoral degrees.

By providing employees with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of English at the graduate level, this course is of particular benefit to secondary school and sixth form teachers and their employers.

Entry Requirements:

Usually a good/ 2:1 honours degree classification (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and/or relevant professional experience. Candidates for whom English is not a first language will be expected to demonstrate a certified level of proficiency of at least IELTS 7 or equivalent. Non-Academic Conditions: 1000 word dissertation proposal or essay.

Portfolio requirements

Your writing portfolio should be:

• a 2,000 word essay on 'How has the study of literature changed over the last century?' - This should be fully referenced and include a bibliography

Or;

• a 1,000 word proposal for your MA Dissertation plus a bibliography

And;

• a piece of marked work from your degree studies.

If we have confirmed you do not meet our entry requirements you might want to consider a preparatory course at Cambridge Ruskin International College (CRIC), our partner college, based on our Cambridge campus, before coming to study with us.