Romantic and Victorian Studies MLitt

Program Overview

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Romantic and Victorian Studies (MLitt) 2025 entry

Overview

Enhance your knowledge and thinking about Romanticism and Victorian literature through the study of literary culture from the 1790s to 1900 by exploring a range of literary genres.

Duration

One year full time

School

School of English

Fees

Not currently running

Why study this course?

• Develop your skills as a researcher within a specific area of study, immersing yourself in the literature of this rich and diverse era.
• Study Romantic and Victorian literature in relation to a diverse range of ideologies, including discourses of revolution and reform, debates about gender, and aestheticism.
• Strengthen your knowledge of the historical, cultural, and critical contexts of 19th-century literature, including visual art, music and textual history.
• Benefit from research-led teaching by experts in the field, who share insights from their most recent discoveries.
• Acquire experience of independent research through work on a postgraduate dissertation.

Teaching

Delivered through weekly seminars and group discussions.

Class sizes

Maximum class size of 15 students.

Dissertation

A 15,000-word project with regular support.

Assessment

Modules are normally assessed through coursework essays.

Modules

The School of English prides itself on its support of student work through detailed feedback and commentary.

Compulsory

• Life and Texts: examines the phases of literary and cultural production and reception, from the lives of authors and cultural figures, through the conditions of publication of their work.
• Texts and Afterlives: examine the phases of literary and cultural production and their reception in later works of literature (and in visual and musical adaptations/responses), their histories of publication and dissemination, and the challenges involved in presenting modern editions of their texts.
• Literature and History: examines the interaction of literature and its various historical, philosophical, cultural and political contexts in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
• Literary Cultures: shows how thoroughly literature is connected to broader discursive and historical contexts globally. Literary works could make decisive and poignant contributions to particular political debates, and the literary sphere itself has its own politics.

Dissertation

In addition to the modules above, students will research and write a dissertation on a Romantic/Victorian topic of their choice, during the Summer months.

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

What it will lead to

Careers

Graduates of the course go on to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching.

Further study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Romantic and Victorian Studies.

Why St Andrews?

Alumni

When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• Supplementary application to School of English (Word)
• CV or résumé - this should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
• Sample of your own, single-authored academic writing on a Romantic or Victorian topic (approximately 2,000 words)
• Two original signed academic references (on university headed paper) from your most recent degree awarding institution
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Fees and funding

Scholarships and funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The Scholarships and Funding area of the portal includes an online catalogue through which you can apply for available relevant awards.