Program Overview

English Literature: Fantasy MLitt

The English Literature: Fantasy MLitt program at the University of Glasgow is designed for students who are fans of fantasy fiction or curious about the significance of the fantastic in the 21st century. This program allows students to engage with one of the most vibrant literary genres of the last two centuries and a major cultural phenomenon of our time.

Academic Contact and Teaching Start

• Academic contact: Dr. Will Tattersdill
• Teaching start: September

Location and Duration

• Location: Glasgow, Gilmorehill campus
• Duration:
  • MLitt: 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time

Why this Programme

Students will be supported by a friendly, internationally acclaimed team of scholars working in all areas of the arts. The program includes fantasy-related events, such as conferences, field trips, talks, and conversations involving writers, editors, and visiting scholars. Students will also be members of the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic at the University of Glasgow and have access to world-class libraries, museums, galleries, theatres, and teaching/research facilities.

Programme Structure

The program involves core and optional taught sessions, followed by a period of research and writing over the summer. Students will undertake supervised independent work on a special topic of their choice, researching, planning, and writing a 15,000-word dissertation.

Full-time Students

• Semester 1 (September to December):
  • English Literature Research Training Course
  • Fantasy 1
  • One optional course
• Semester 2 (January to March):
  • Fantasy 2: 1950 to the present
  • Two optional courses
• Summer (April to September):
  • Fantasy Dissertation

Delivery

All taught courses are 20 credits and are delivered in weekly 2-hour seminars or equivalent. Seminars are taught to the extent that student members meet regularly with a tutor and proceed through a planned sequence of reading and discussion.

Optional Courses

Students may choose from available optional courses offered by any of the Masters programmes in the School of Critical Studies. Examples of possible options include:

• Fantasy Across Media
• Children's Fantasy Literature
• Realism and Fantasy in Victorian Literature (PGT)
• Futures: Unbundling the Now
• Fantasies of Energy (PGT)
• Creative Writing Fiction Workshop (cross-discipline)
• Early Modern Mythmaking
• Victorian Literature Beyond the Human
• Creative Writing Fiction
• Science Fiction 1945-present
• The Tomorrow People: Speculative Bodies and Minds in Contemporary Culture
• Love, Death, and Dragons: Medievalism and Fantasy
• World-building

Career Prospects

The critical and analytical skills developed in this program make it an ideal step towards an academic career. Graduates from English Literature have also gone on to careers in writing, editing, publishing, teaching, media, and the heritage sector.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• Home & RUK:
  • Full-time fee: Ł11,367
  • Part-time fee: Ł1,263 per 20 credits
• International & EU:
  • Full-time fee: Ł27,720

Fee Status

• Fee status guidance

Deposits

International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of Ł2,000 when an offer is made.

Additional Fees

• Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): Ł370
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
• Registration/exam only fee: Ł170

Funding Opportunities

The University of Glasgow offers various scholarships, including:

• Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarship
• Banco de Mexico
• The Snowdon Trust Masters Scholarship
• CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
• ANID (la Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo)
• University of Glasgow African Excellence Award
• University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award
• World Changers Glasgow Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarships 2026
• The Humanitarian Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarship
• India Excellence Award
• Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans
• Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
• Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
• Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
• Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
• Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes
• DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Masters grant
• Sanctuary Scholarships
• Alumni Discount
• The Clan Gregor Society Prize
• Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants
• The Dima Alhaj Scholarship
• Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship

Entry Requirements

• 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in any subject
• A 2.2 Honours degree will be considered where supported by relevant experience
• Substantial, directly relevant experience may be considered in place of formal qualifications

English Language Requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme include TOEFL, Pearsons PTE Academic, Cambridge Proficiency in English, and Oxford English Test

How to Apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree, students must apply online. The application process includes submitting supporting documents such as official degree certificates, academic transcripts, and evidence of English language ability.

Documents

• A copy (or copies) of official degree certificate(s)
• A copy (or copies) of official academic transcript(s)
• Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• Evidence of English language ability (if the first language is not English)
• Any additional documents required for this programme
• A copy of the photo page of the passport

Application Deadlines

International & EU Applicants

The University has an application process with application rounds that recognizes different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year.

• Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2025 to 5 November 2025
• Round 2 application dates: 6 November 2025 to 17 December 2025
• Round 3 application dates: 18 December 2025 to 4 February 2026
• Round 4 application dates: 5 February 2026 to 25 March 2026
• Round 5 application dates: 26 March 2026 to 13 May 2026
• Round 6 application dates: 14 May 2026 to 8 July 2026

Home Applicants

• 21 August 2026

Related Programmes

• English Literature
• Creative Writing [MLitt]
• Creative Writing (online) [MLitt: Online distance learning]
• English Literature [MLitt]
• English Literature: American Modern Literature [MLitt]

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