English Literature, MA
Study different ways of looking at and writing about London with this exciting MA programme. Explore literary London and how writers have responded to the city while studying in London itself.
This English MA offers the opportunity to engage with the rich and complicated literary imaginings of London through the years - from Shakespeare to the Victorians and onwards, to cinematic, postcolonial and documentary constructions of the city.
The structure is designed to be flexible, with courses taught in weekly seminars focusing on literary, theoretical and cultural texts. Broaden your knowledge of literature and your understanding of London's role in the world while exploring alternative approaches and perspectives, all within an interdisciplinary, comparative and international context.
Location
Duration
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
Start month
September
Home /international fees 2025/26
£11,325 /£17,975
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Modules are subject to change as we are currently reviewing our course portfolio.
About the course team
Welcome to our MA English Literature, which is taught from within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Your teaching comes from an experienced team of lecturers. These include academics with specialisms in every period of literature from the Renaissance to the present.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in a relevant Humanities or Social Science subject.
Other subject areas may also be considered.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
In a typical week, learning takes place place through seminars in which tutors and students discuss and develop ideas prompted by set texts and guided reading. This may be supplemented by one-to-one consultations and visits to relevant museums, archives, or historical sites. Teaching takes place on the Greenwich campus.
Class sizes
Lectures, seminars or tutorials are normally attended by smaller groups. Numbers can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.Students also take part in shared/collaborative modules with students on other creative arts courses, providing a perfect opportunity to develop skills in group and teamwork.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to independent study (around 8-10 hours per module per week). Every module will involve further reading and research.
You will also be expected to spend time preparing for classwork such as presentations and group discussions, and for assessed coursework and examinations. You can use our Stockwell Street library and online resources to support you in these activities.
You will also be encouraged to take advantage of the wealth of materials at the British Library and other specialists libraries and archives in London. During the week you can also: Attend guest lectures from industry experts. Take part in employability and enterprise workshops. We encourage you to join societies such as: English Society Performing Arts Society of Dramatic Arts (SODA).
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours, independent learning, and assessments. For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of modules you are studying.
Assessment
On this course, students are assessed by coursework, presentations, and a dissertation, which signifies the culmination of your studies in a longer piece of independent research developed with a supervisor.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please use our contact form.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £11,325 | £1,887 per 30 credits | N/A |
| International | £17,975 | £2,996 per 30 credits | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
There are not extensive further costs associated with this course. Most students choose to buy primary texts for study but these are also available to borrow for free from our library.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
A postgraduate degree in this field will allow you to enter a wide variety of fields of work and opens the door to embarking on a research degree. A number of our graduates have gone on to complete PhDs.
Others have found work in teaching, journalism, marketing and PR, arts administration, local and central government, charity work, and many other areas.
(This course is not a teacher training course. Anyone wishing to become a teacher will need to undertake/complete the necessary specific training to qualify as a teacher.)
Do you provide employability services?
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The University's Employability and Careers Service (ECS) provides support when you are preparing to apply for jobs. Support includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the sector and who may be able to provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
As a student in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, you will be part of a vibrant community with a wide range of interests.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
English at the University of Greenwich
Whether you’re studying great works of literature, the language itself or are being inspired by great writing to find your own creative voice, you’ll learn on a UNESCO World Heritage Site in one of the world’s great cultural capitals.
Visit our English degrees page.
Think ‘English’ - our top tips!
Looking for some tips to get you thinking about either studying English Literature or Creative Writing at undergraduate level? If so, look no further - our subject teaching teams have a few suggestions which might help.
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