About the course

The English master's programmes are designed to serve both as an autonomous degree for students wishing to pursue more advanced studies in English literature, and as a solid foundation for doctoral research.

Course structure

In line with the other MSt strands in the English Faculty, the MSt is made up of four elements.

the ‘A’ course, intended as an introduction to key themes and debates in postcolonial and world literatures;
a ‘B’ course on book history, including postcolonial and world literature approaches to book history;
two ‘C’ or option courses, one in Michaelmas term and one in Hilary term; and
a ‘D’ element, the dissertation, which is handed in at the end of the final term, Trinity (June).

The descriptions below supply more detail on the A, B and C courses.

Assessment

The MSt programme is assessed via the submission of four pieces of coursework. In addition to the dissertation, you will submit three essays of 5,000 to 6,000 words - one at the end of the first term, and two at the end of the second term - relating to the B and C courses that have been taken.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of English and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of English.

Graduate destinations

Many English taught-course students go onto 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.