Stories powerfully shape our experiences and identities in the modern world. Books and films instruct us about how the voices of the past inform the present and the future. They tell us about politics, gender, sexuality and race, our landscape, environment and the digital. Stories are told about places and people, but also show how modern myths are made. How can we read such stories critically? 

English Literature at Northumbria gives you the key skills to navigate and offer a critique of narrative and storytelling. How is literature politicised? How are classic texts adapted for the contemporary moment? Literature’s continued relevance is everywhere. Our course gives you the skills to understand the importance of literature: who has the authority to influence, and with what motives.

Culminating in a major piece of research of your own, you will shape debate and ideas in your chosen field of literary studies, showing mastery of the discipline and an ability to redefine our approach to the stories that shape our world. 

You will be taught by internationally recognised scholars who are at the cutting edge in their field. Our modules draw your ideas and our research specialisms together, allowing you to develop your ideas within communities of research and new ideas.

The Humanities department is home to many exciting research groups. Within English, we have particular strengths in the Early Modern period, the Long Eighteenth Century, Modern and Contemporary, and Gender. The diversity of our expertise means we can support you in pursuing your interests.

This English Literature course is an ideal choice for anyone interested in literature and who wants to develop a mastery of the subject. This can form as a basis for continuing higher research, or for taking your advanced cultural and intellectual skills into the marketplace.

You might, want to develop your employability prospects or be interested in continuing your studies at PhD level, but are still looking for inspiration on exactly where to focus. The MA will also provide you with the professional skills to succeed within teaching, marketing, publishing, museums/archives, public policy, management, among many others.

In addition to these personal skills, you will have demonstrated a critical awareness of the current research and scholarship within your discipline, facilitating your ability to interpret knowledge in a variety of professional fields.

The MA builds on undergraduate skills, distinguished by the level of intensity, complexity, and density of study.  Advanced communication skills and media literacy must be demonstrated along with exceptional ability for time management, ethical and professional understanding, and highly developed research and inquiry skills.

There are considerable opportunities for you to advance your studies further, and advice in writing PhD and funding applications is available. The course offers a qualification that may enhance promotion prospects in some professions – most notably teaching, professional research, museums/archives, public policy, and project management.