Introduction to the Contemporary Literature and Culture MA

The Contemporary Literature & Culture MA enables graduates to explore British and American fiction, poetry, and drama, analyzing contemporary issues such as #MeToo, the Covid pandemic, and climate change, as well as understanding how literary prizes influence the production of today’s literature.

Qualification(s) Available

• MA

Fees

• Dependent on start date. See below.

Scholarships Available

• Yes

Entry Requirements

• 2:2 (55%)

Full-time

• 1 year

Part-time

• 2 years

Location

• Loughborough

Start Date

• October 2025 or October 2026

Department

• English

Program Description

Postgraduate study in English at Loughborough University is for graduates who aspire to create and interpret the literary cultures of the twenty-first century. Our courses offer an inclusive and practical approach to textual study and expression, enabling you to enhance your understanding and creation of contemporary writing through peer learning and hands-on projects.

You will be supported to organize and host a literary festival, contributing to the modern literary scene, and join a vibrant community of scholars and experts on campus who will support you in pursuing your intellectual goals, whether academic, cultural, or commercial.

The course provides you with the opportunity to study a range of cultural forms including literature, digital media, drama, film, and television, in order to analyze what we understand by the contemporary and its culture. Modules attend to cultural and theoretical responses to contemporary events, crises, and phenomena that shape our lives and environments, such as climate crisis, Black Lives Matter, gender rights, late-stage capitalism, technological communication and innovation, Artificial Intelligence, migration, the rise of populism and the far right, and the Covid-19 pandemic. A distinctive focus is on how contemporary publishing, prizes, and their promotional strategies shape the literary landscape and its politics.

Who Should Study This Programme?

Our MA in Contemporary Literature and Culture is for graduates who aspire to gain the skills and knowledge that unlock careers in a wide range of sectors, including the arts and arts management, publishing, journalism, teaching, and the legal and financial sectors. The course is suitable for students from a humanities background with an interest in developing both careers skills and advancing intellectual ambition, with a view to further research or employment.

Why You Should Choose Us

• 7th in the UK for English Complete University Guide 2025
• 83% of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ REF 2021
• Top 10 for Graduate Prospects - Outcomes in English Complete University Guide 2025

Why You Should Study This Degree

• You will be based in a top 10 UK English department, working with world-leading scholars in contemporary literature who are passionate about what they research and teach.
• You will engage with cutting-edge research in contemporary literature and theory, equipping you to pursue doctoral research.
• You can enjoy modules that enhance your employability and understanding of literary publishing and promotion, including organizing and running a literary festival.
• We will equip you with the skills and knowledge required for a variety of careers, including in research, publishing, creative arts, journalism, and heritage.
• You will be invited to be part of our faculty’s Contemporary Research Group, joining a lively community of scholars to participate in research seminars, reading groups, and other activities throughout the year.

What You'll Study

The following information is intended as an example only and is typically based on module information for the 2025/26 year of entry. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes. Updated Programme and Module Specifications are made available ahead of each academic year. Please also see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

Our Contemporary Literature and Culture MA is designed to provide an opportunity to study a range of cultural forms to create an understanding and appreciation of literature and culture in the contemporary period. For more information about part-time study patterns, please contact the School/Department.

Semester 1

Compulsory Modules

• Resources for Advanced Research (15 credits)
• Preserving the Past: Contemporary Literature and Culture (15 credits)
• Contemporary Literature and Culture (30 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory Modules

• Literary Festival Management: Planning, Delivering, Evaluating (15 credits)
• The Market, Literary Prizes and Canon Formation (30 credits)
• Twenty-First Century U.S. Literature and Culture (15 credits)

Summer

Compulsory Modules

• Dissertation (60 credits)

How You'll Be Assessed

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, group work, presentations, organizing and hosting a literary festival, and a dissertation.

How You'll Study

You will study through a range of seminars, lectures, practical sessions, and workshops.

Entry Requirements for United Kingdom

• 2:2 (55%) honours degree or equivalent international qualification.

Country / Region Equivalent

• Choose a country / region to find the equivalent entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and Funding

Fees for the Academic Year

• UK fee: £12,500 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £25,500 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the Academic Year

• UK fee: £11,500 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £25,000 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2025 or January 2026. Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2026.

Scholarships and Bursaries

There are scholarships and bursaries available to help with funding your study.

10% off Tuition Fees

• Loughborough University Alumni Bursary

20% off Tuition Fees

• Excellence Scholarship

Your Development

We are committed to helping you develop the skills and attributes needed to progress successfully in your chosen career.

On completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate a range of academic and industry sources.
• Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Plan, organize, and manage, with appropriate supervision, a significant self-directed project.
• Work flexibly, creatively, and independently, displaying a high degree of self-direction and initiative.
• Deploy your independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Our Academics

Our experts are shaping the landscape in twenty-first-century literary studies, with specialisms in poetry, drama, life-writing, neo-Victorian literature, popular culture, American literature, and film.

Your Future Career

During the MA in Contemporary Literature and Culture, your academic and research abilities improve, and you become skilled in written communication, critical thinking, and independent assessment.

Your confidence and self-awareness develop, and you will gain practical skills and experience in problem-solving, teamwork, and flexible working. This equips our graduates to go on to further study and careers in academia and provides opportunities in many kinds of public and private sector graduate careers requiring research skills and the formulation of projects and policy documents.

Our graduates are qualified to go into a range of careers, including writing and journalism, editing and publishing, research, arts management, marketing, public relations, and education.

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.