Program Overview

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Introduction to the MSt in English (1900-Present)

The MSt in English (1900-Present) is a taught course that explores modern and contemporary literature through core seminars, book history, special options, and a dissertation. This course prepares students for advanced literary research or doctoral study.

Course Structure

The course consists of four main components spread over three academic terms. In the first two terms, students take a core course and a course in book history and theories of text, both tailored to their MSt. Students also choose two courses from a wide range of options, 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, which is submitted in the final term.

Attendance and Resources

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services.

Supervision

Dissertation supervision is normally six supervision sessions, not exceeding six hours in total. Students should note that it is their responsibility to attend and take advantage of the support provided during supervisions, considering their supervisor's workload when scheduling meetings.

Assessment

The MSt is assessed via the submission of four pieces of coursework: three essays and a dissertation. The outcomes of the MSt examination are pass, fail, merit, or distinction. Candidates must achieve a pass mark on each element of the examination to be awarded the MSt.

Graduate Destinations

Many English taught-course students go on to doctoral research, both at Oxford and at other universities worldwide. Other graduates pursue careers in occupations including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, and the civil service.

Changes to the Course

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

• A. Core course: Literature, Contexts and Approaches
• B. Core course: Bibliography, Theories of Text, History of the Book, Manuscript Studies
• Dissertation

Options

Students choose two courses from a range of options, which change from year to year depending on the availability of faculty members and their current teaching and research interests. Recent options have included:

• British Literature and Culture at Mid-Century
• 20th and 21st Century Theatre
• Modernism and Philosophy
• The New T. S. Eliot Studies
• Literature and Science, 1890-present
• Literature and Artificiality from Modernism to the Present
• Contemporary Poetry by the Book

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in English literature and/or English language, or exceptionally a related subject.
• For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

References

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course.

Supporting Documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application, including:

• Official transcript(s)
• Statement of purpose (maximum of 1,000 words)
• Written work (either two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each or one essay of a maximum of 4,000 words)

Funding

For entry in the academic year, 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.

• Home: ｣17,910
• Overseas: ｣43,730

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, a project, or a thesis topic that may incur additional expenses.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between ｣1,405 and ｣2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

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 (1900-Present):

• 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
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• Three referees, with the Faculty of English expecting three academic references in all but exceptional cases.
• Official transcript(s) that give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• Statement of purpose (maximum of 1,000 words) that explains your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialize in.
• Written work (either two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each or one essay of a maximum of 4,000 words) that demonstrates your analytical and critical acumen, ability to construct and defend an argument, and powers of expression.