English

The MA in English has two main strands: the taught classes (from a wide selection of modules) and the independent research project (the dissertation). This two-fold dimension enables students to develop their knowledge and skill with the guidance of lecturers in the taught coursework and to develop a substantial autonomous research and writing project.



English at University of Galway has a number of particular research strengths in areas such as Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Nineteenth-Century Literature, Book History, Theatre History, and Colonialism and Travel Writing. The MA in English allows students to take advantage of these and other areas while also pursuing their own topics of individual interest.

Modules potentially on offer each year include ones on Book History, Literature & Colonialism, Introduction to Digital Humanities, Cinema & Politics, Textual Studies, Medieval Aesthetics and Poetic Art, Thinking About Theatre, Young Ireland to the Free State: Writing in English 1849–1922, Critical Approaches, Representations of the Book in Literature and Film, Early Modern Print and Manuscript Cultures, Approaches to Culture & Colonialism, Travel Literature, Aspects of Old and Middle English Literature, Irish Drama and Theatre, The Nineteenth-Century Century Literary Marketplace, Nineteenth Century Periodicals and Serial Fiction, and Literature of North America, among others.



Optional EN601: Writing Workshop: Poetry - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EN529: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Optional IS105: Young Ireland to the Free State: Writing in English, 1849-1922 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional FR6101: Language, Gender and Power - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EN527: Literature Of North America - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional IS106: Decline & Revival: Language, Literature & Society 1800-1939 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional FM6101: Ireland on Screen - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required EN6116: Writing and Research - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6123: Playwright's Workshop I - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional GR6100: Language & Intercultural Communication - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EN6143: Media for Social Change - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN6139: Diversity and Activism in YA Fiction - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional FM6119: Film, Politics, and Colonialism - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN547: Literature And Colonialism - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6137: Irish Theatre and Performance Histories - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN6141: SERVICE LEARNING: LITERARY STUDIES IN THE COMMUNITY - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN570: Book History - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6135: Playwright's Workshop II: Dramaturgical Approaches to Craft - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN6113: Writing Workshop: Poetry 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN573: Travel Literature - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN6138: Digital Scholarly Editing: Theory and Practice - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional EN6126: Interrogating Literary History - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Minimum Entry Requirements

BA in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences discipline with a minimum result of H2.2 overall, with a H2.1 in English, or an equivalent international qualification (e.g., BA with minimum GPA of 3.0 for North American applicants). IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent if applicable.

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/



Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

1 year, full-time;

2 years, part-time.

Career Opportunities

The taught coursework on this programme will enable students to extend their knowledge of English beyond the boundaries of their undergraduate experience and to develop a range of important and transferable skills that will serve them well in the job market, or in further education, for example on a PhD programme. Students will learn how to achieve a regular habit of research and writing, meet deadlines, give persuasive, well-researched talks and presentations, use libraries and resources effectively, articulate ideas to others, work in a team, write well, and revise, edit and improve drafts of written work. These are valuable skills that will translate easily into a wide range of careers. Graduates of this programme are well placed to succeed in arts administration, teaching, creative writing, PR, research, broadcasting, publishing, journalism, non-fiction writing and marketing.