Study our MA English programme via distance learning and specialise in either language, literature or both. Our modules will develop your research expertise and apply your skills in real world contexts.

Course outline and modules

Studied fully online via distance learning, this English masters degree at Aston University is suitable for those wanting to develop their knowledge of English language and/or literature in exciting and applied contexts. The course provides opportunities to develop advanced research skills, study a range of topics, complete a substantial individual project and explore how to apply academic learning to professional contexts.

What you’ll learn

The core modules introduce you to advanced study and research skills that will support you with your studies and provide opportunities to apply your learning to a range of contexts beyond the academic.

You will study key theories, concepts and frameworks that will allow you to examine a wide range of texts, drawing on some of the latest research in, for example, genre studies, corpus linguistics, cognitive literary studies and digital humanities.

You will be equipped to confidently apply your reading and research to non-academic and professional contexts as well as to support further academic study. The course provides the flexibility to choose from a wide range of elective modules, enabling you to tailor your masters to suit your interests and future career goals.

Learning, teaching and assessment

Learning and teaching

You will take part in interactive seminars, presentations and group work as well as attending lectures and tutorials. There are also opportunities for individual research. All our lecturers are research-active and leading scholars in their fields so you will benefit from their expertise and experience.

The Department of English, Languages and Applied Linguistics has a wide and varied programme of events and you will benefit from being part of an inclusive and exciting academic community. We are home to two research centres, Aston Centre for Applied Linguistics (ACAL) and Research Centre for the Humanities (REACH), which hosts academic events throughout the year that you can attend.