MSt in World Literatures in English

at University of Oxford

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

A. Core course: The Colonial, the Postcolonial, the World – Literature, Contexts and Approaches
 

The ‘A’ course, which runs in Michaelmas term, comprises eight seminars and is intended to provide a range of perspectives on some of the core debates, themes and issues shaping the study of world and postcolonial literatures in English. Each seminar will be led by a member of the Faculty of English or other relevant faculty and will include one or more short presentations from students on the week’s topic. There is no assessed A course work, but students are asked to give at least one presentation on the course, and to attend all the seminars. The methodologies you will encounter on this course are intended to prepare you for situating your dissertation in a chosen field of research. You should read as much as possible of the bibliography over the summer – certainly the primary literary texts listed in the seminar reading for each week. 
 

B. Core course: Bibliography, theories of text, history of the book, manuscript studies
 

This is a compulsory, assessed course, taught via a range of lectures and seminars in each of the first two terms. The B-course for the MSt in World Literature strand introduces students to the methodologies and theories of bibliography, manuscript studies, textual scholarship, and book history framed within the broad concerns and methodologies of world literature book history and the emergence and institutionalisation of the categories of world and postcolonial literature within global and local literary spaces and the publishing industry.
 

The course begins in Michaelmas with a general introduction to theories and methodologies of material textual scholarship alongside an introduction to manuscript study and archive use in world literature. In late Michaelmas and Hilary it moves on to specific discussion of the institutions of world literature, culminating in student presentations and feedback on the B course essay project in Hilary term.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in English literature and/or English language, or exceptionally a related subject.
• For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.75 (with at least 3.85 in the major) out of 4.0.
• If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.
   

GRE General Test scores

• No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
• Publications are not required.
   

Further guidance

There is no automatic transfer from a taught to a research course. Current students wishing to be considered for the DPhil submit applications that are assessed and considered alongside applicants with master's degrees from other universities.

Home    
£14,410

Overseas    
£30,910

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.