Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
Study the whole range of medieval English literature — a dynamic, multilingual literary culture in which English interacted with many other languages and literatures.
Taught and supervised by world-leading scholars, with expertise in Latin, Old English, Middle English, Old Norse, Old French, medieval Italian, medieval Arabic, and Palaeography, you’ll learn a range of linguistic and technical skills which are essential for further medieval research. You’ll apply these skills to a substantial piece of independent work, giving you a foundation for doctoral research, as well as transferable skills for careers in heritage and culture, teaching, publishing, and arts management.
You’ll be based at the Centre for Medieval Studies, King’s Manor, which has a lively interdisciplinary research culture.
You’ll also engage with the wider research culture of the Department of English, one of the UK’s largest research centres in English, and there will be a diverse schedule of seminars, conferences and reading groups for you to attend. You’ll be part of the Humanities Research Centre, a vibrant interdisciplinary hub which will enable you to form close social and intellectual bonds over the course of your study.
2:2 or equivalent. You do not need to have specialised in medieval literature at undergraduate level, or already mastered the languages required for the degree as we will provide intensive training during the course. We will consider applications from students with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules or appropriate professional experience.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
Our postgraduates go into a wide variety of industries, from arts administration to law. Many alumni have also gone on to become successful novelists, poets and playwrights.
Reading the Middle Ages skills options
Our skills modules give you the choice of studying two European medieval languages, a language and palaeography, or Arabic.
Options typically include Latin (4 levels), Old English (2 levels), Old Norse, Old French, and three different periods of palaeography.
Either: Reading Medieval Texts or Multilingual Middle Ages or Arabic for Research
Option modules
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
The Medieval Book
England in Europe: Literary Culture from Alfred the Great to Ælfric
Viking Poetry
Reading Dante's Comedy: Text and Context
Fictions of Audacity: Middle English Romance
There are also a wide range of further option modules offered across all the Department's MA programmes which are available to you.
You may also choose available modules from other arts and humanities departments.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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