Program Overview

MRes English

Overview

The MRes English is a research-based degree that prepares students for more advanced research projects at MPhil/PhD level. It is ideal for those considering a 'taster' year of research or seeking to complete shorter-term research at graduate level.

Why Study MRes English at Goldsmiths?

• Study in depth and reflect critically upon an aspect of research methods relevant to your dissertation topic, under the guidance of a supervisor.
• Where appropriate, you can choose to write your research project on methodological topics arising from the syllabus of one of our taught Masters-level modules.
• Carry out systematic research into the primary, critical, and theoretical literature relevant to the dissertation topic, under the guidance of your supervisor.
• The Department of English and Creative Writing at Goldsmiths comprises leading scholars and creative writers, and has an extensive research community.
• Beyond this original research into the literature, cultures, and languages of the past and present, a substantial number of our academic staff produce the literature of the future, as creative writers.
• The Department is home to the Goldsmiths Prize, established in 2013 to celebrate the qualities of creative daring associated with the College.

Length

• 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Entry Requirements

• You should normally have a BA in a relevant subject with at least a clear upper second-class result. If it’s in an unrelated field, you may be considered subject to qualifying interview/submission of sample essays.

Fees

• Home - full-time: £9150
• Home - part-time: £4575
• International - full-time: £19000

Department

• English and Creative Writing

What You'll Study

• Overview
  • The aim of the MRes is to expand your knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic. You'll carry out independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, and in the context of a structured programme of study.
• Modules
  • You'll attend the Department's Postgraduate Research Methods series, and either a Research Skills Workshop or a Research Skills series. You'll also be encouraged to attend Methods and Resources day schools that are offered by the Institute of English Studies at Senate House.
  • You'll also attend, but not be assessed on, at least one appropriate Masters level module offered in the Department of English and Creative Writing in the first term of study. Your supervisor may advise you to attend selected elements of the module only and to focus on a particular problem within the syllabus. Attending the module will enable you to take part in discussions, and to refine and nuance your understanding of different perspectives on a topic.
  • You'll complete the following modules:
    • Bibliographic Exercise (15 credits)
    • Research Methods Essay (15 credits)
  • You will complete a dissertation of up to 30,000 words, which is worth 150 credits.

Assessments

• Bibliography Exercise
  • Assessed by one essay of up to 5,000 words, January (full-time); April in your first year (part-time).
• Research Methods
  • Assessed by one essay of up to 5,000 words, February (full-time); September in your first year (part-time).
• Dissertation
  • Assessed by a dissertation of up to 30,000 words, September (full-time and part-time)
  • The dissertation will account for 80% of your final grade. The remaining 20% will be assessed through coursework (the 5,000-word essays).

Entry Requirements

• You should normally have a BA in a relevant subject with at least a clear upper second-class result. If it’s in an unrelated field, you may be considered subject to qualifying interview/submission of sample essays.
• International qualifications
  • We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
• English language requirements
  • If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme.

How to Apply

• Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
• Before submitting a formal application, please get in contact to discuss the research project you would like to pursue during the MRes programme. Formal applications must be accompanied by a detailed 3-5 page research proposal.
• The actual topic of your research has to be agreed with your proposed supervisor, who will be a member of staff active in your general field of research, before you start at Goldsmiths. The choice of topic may be influenced by the current research in the department or the requirements of an external funding body.
• For your application, you'll need to have:
  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • Contact details of a second referee
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online.
  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
  • Details of your research proposal

Research Proposals

• Along with your application and academic reference, you should also upload a research proposal at the point of application.
• This should be in the form of a statement of the proposed area of research and should include:
  • Delineation of the research topic
  • Why it has been chosen
  • An initial hypothesis (if applicable)
  • A brief list of major secondary sources

When to Apply

• We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.
• We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

Selection Process

• If the subject you are applying to research is in an unrelated field, you may be considered subject to qualifying interview/submission of sample essays.

Fees and Funding

• Annual tuition fees
  • These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
  • Home - full-time: £9150
  • Home - part-time: £4575
  • International - full-time: £19000
• Funding opportunities
  • Use the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
• Paying your fees
  • Find out about paying your tuition fees.
• Additional costs
  • In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying.

Careers

• Where this degree can take you
  • Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in:
    • Publishing
    • Journalism
    • Public relations
    • Teaching
    • Advertising
    • The civil service
    • Industry
    • The media
• Skills
  • This programme will enable you to develop transferable skills, including:
    • Enhanced communication and discussion skills in written and oral contexts
    • The ability to analyse and evaluate different textual materials
    • The ability to organise information
    • The ability to assimilate and evaluate competing arguments