Curious about studying English Literature: Medieval Studies MAat Royal Holloway, University of London? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Royal Holloway, University of London
Full Time
Sep 2027
1 Year
English texts written up to the end of the medieval period. The course is taught by academic specialists who are actively engaged in research on the Middle Ages and its literatures, and who will inspire and challenge you to do your best work. We introduce you to many aspects of medieval society and culture, while giving you the opportunity to concentrate on the areas that interest you most. The course is run as a collaboration between the Departments of English and History and taught with contributions from experts in the Departments of Classics and Languages, Literatures and Cultures; students registered on the MA English pathway will have the opportunity to take a range of options from History, on topics that range across medieval Europe to Byzantium. This MA pathway offers training in a wide range of skills for postgraduate research in Medieval Studies that will enhance your understanding and appreciation of medieval texts. This training provides important preparation for students seeking to pursue doctoral research.
This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
Using the skills learned during the taught parts of your MA in Medieval Studies, you will carry out your own independent research project. You will write a thesis of around 15,000 words on a topic of your choice which critically reflects upon established scholarship and provides original insight and independent judgements.
In this module you will be given specific training in the reading of medieval documents. You will look at simple texts in classical Latin and learn how to parse all five declensions and indicative verbs. You will examine a range of documents in basic medieval Latin such as wills, deeds and accounts and translate two medieval passages plus an unseen passage.
This interdisciplinary module explores the traditions and forms and varieties of medieval story-telling. You will read texts in Old and Middle English, French, Latin and Italian in translation. You will explore various narrative genres, such as epic, chronicle, romance, and fabliau, and two of the major tale collections of the period, the Decameron and the Canterbury Tales.
All students pursuing the MA in Medieval Studies and the MA in Crusader Studies take this course, and so it creates and fosters an intellectual community of medievalists during your time on the degree. The course aims to make you aware of the issues and topics associated with the study of the Middle Ages on a wide and interdisciplinary basis, give you the skills that you need to undertake research in the field of Medieval Studies, and provide opportunities for you to engage in and practise academic discourse, particularly in an oral context.
3.9
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