Program Overview

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Introduction to the MSt in English

The MSt in English (17001830) is a taught course that explores literature, book history, and cultural contexts of the period. The course consists of four main components spread over three academic terms, allowing students to pursue interests within their chosen MSt course and across period boundaries.

Course Structure

• The course includes a core course (A) and a course in book history and theories of text (B), both tailored to the MSt.
• Students choose two courses from a wide range of options (C), one taken in the first term and one in the second term.
• Under the guidance of a specialist supervisor, students research and write a dissertation, submitted in the final term.
• The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford, with full-time students subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Study

• As a graduate student, access is provided to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services.
• The Bodleian Libraries, the largest library system in the UK, offers over 13 million printed items, e-journals, and special collections.
• The University's IT Services supports core university IT systems and tools, offering IT learning courses and guidance on technology for new students.

The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

• The Faculty of English Language and Literature will be based in the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, a new building accommodating seven faculties, two institutes, a new library, and performance and arts venues.
• The centre will facilitate interdisciplinary and collaborative work, with a library housing lending collections for English and access to electronic resources.

Supervision

• Dissertation supervision is normally six sessions, not exceeding six hours in total, under the guidance of a specialist supervisor.
• Students are responsible for attending and taking advantage of the support provided during supervisions, considering their supervisor's workload.

Assessment

• The course is assessed via the submission of four pieces of coursework, including a dissertation and three essays relating to the B and C courses.
• The outcomes of the MSt examination are pass, fail, merit, or distinction, with candidates required to achieve a pass mark on each element.

Graduate Destinations

• Many English taught-course students proceed to doctoral research at Oxford or other universities worldwide.
• Other graduates pursue careers in teaching, journalism, law, publishing, and the civil service.

Changes to the Course

• The University may make changes in course provision, either before or after registration, due to situations such as pandemics or local health emergencies.
• Changes may also be necessary for international study due to visa difficulties or health needs.

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

• Applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in English literature and/or English language, or a related subject.
• For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, a minimum overall GPA of 3.6 is normally required.

Degree-Level Qualifications

• The minimum entry requirements for international qualifications can be found on the University's International Qualifications page.

English Language Proficiency

• This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level, with minimum scores for IELTS, TOEFL, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, and Oxford Test of English Advanced.

References

• Three academic references are expected, with the Faculty of English never accepting fewer than two academic references.
• References should support intellectual ability, academic achievement, and motivation.

Supporting Documents

• Official transcripts should give detailed information of individual grades received in university-level qualifications to date.
• A statement of purpose, written in English, should explain motivation for applying, relevant experience and education, and specific areas of interest.

Funding

• The collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.
• Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

• The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis, with the fee status determining the amount payable.
• For the academic year, the annual course fees are Ł17,910 for Home students and Ł43,730 for Overseas students.

Additional Costs

• There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs.
• However, students may need to choose a dissertation, project, or thesis topic that incurs additional expenses, such as travel or research expenses.

Living Costs

• The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.
• A breakdown of likely living costs for one month during the academic year is provided, including food, accommodation, personal items, social activities, study costs, and other expenses.

College Preference

• Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college.
• The following colleges accept students on the MSt in English: Balliol College, Blackfriars, Brasenose College, Campion Hall, Christ Church, Corpus Christi College, Exeter College, Harris Manchester College, Hertford College, Jesus College, Keble College, Kellogg College, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre College, Lincoln College, Magdalen College, Mansfield College, Merton College, New College, Oriel College, Pembroke College, The Queen's College, Regent's Park College, Reuben College, St Anne's College, St Catherine's College, St Cross College, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda's College, St Hugh's College, St John's College, St Peter's College, Somerville College, Trinity College, University College, Wadham College, Wolfson College, Worcester College, and Wycliffe Hall.

Application Process

• The application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé.
• Three academic references are required, with the Faculty of English expecting three academic references in all but exceptional cases.
• A statement of purpose and written work are also required, with specific guidelines provided for each.

Admission Status and Deadlines

• The course is open to applications for entry in the academic year, with a deadline of 12:00 midday UK time on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, for most Oxford scholarships and the final application deadline for entry.
• The expected length of the course is 9 months, with around 75 places available and an average of 63 applications per year.