Course Overview
Course summary
Our English Literature: Modern and Contemporary Fictions MA gives you the opportunity to study English literature in a modern university environment, while taking advantage of London's rich cultural life. You'll examine literary texts in the wider context of cultural production and relate them to their social, historical and political circumstances.
Our team of academic specialists make use of the many nearby museums, galleries and libraries in their teaching. The course will be of particular interest if you're wishing to prepare for further study at MPhil or PhD level, or if you're teaching English and wish to gain a further qualification and investigate current developments in the field.
Studying the MA, you'll have the chance to revisit and reinvestigate the texts, critical practices, institutions and periods of English Literature in order to see it in new and exciting ways.
The course consists of three core modules, which together will help you to develop advanced skills of argument, synthesis, research and presentation. Themes and Problems in Modern and Contemporary Literature introduces you to current major themes in contemporary literature, in particular, the ways in which contemporary texts engage with and mediate ongoing crises and conflicts post-2001. Writing the Self explores issues such as life-writing, autofiction, embodiment, biography, memory, otherness, and the non-human.
The Dissertation, which can be written on an appropriate topic of your choice, is also a core module. The option modules provide an opportunity for you to deepen and extend your knowledge of a range of periods, issues and forms across the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Top reasons to study with us
- Research-led teaching – You'll learn from staff with cutting-edge expertise in fields such as critical theory, memory studies, queer theory, urban culture, and experimental writing
- Relevant and contemporary modules – Our modules consider how literature relates to some of the most vital questions affecting the world today, such as migration and climate crisis
- Gain experience in the cultural industries – Our Work Placement in Cultural Institutions module allows you to take advantage of the wealth of cultural institutions in London and gain crucial experience
- Learn in the heart of London – Studying at our Regent Street Campus in central London, you'll be part of a diverse, global community
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.
You'll study three core modules and choose four modules from the option modules listed below.
Core modules
Development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic chosen by you. All students will attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.
This module introduces you to current major themes in contemporary literature, with a particular focus on how global crises post-2001 have been mediated in literary texts. Topics will include the representation of capital and financial crisis; migrant narratives; ecology; the Anthropocene; and the contemporary resurgence of populist politics. While maintaining a primary focus on the 21st century, the module also encourages you to think historically and comparatively through 19th and 20th century representations of crisis.
This module introduces you to different perspectives on how selfhood is constructed in literature. It considers the links between identity, personhood, selfhood and writing, with a particular emphasis on how recent literature has critically interrogated the connections between these concepts. Through the close analysis of short literary texts and engagement with theoretical ideas, the module explores issues such as life-writing, autofiction, embodiment, biography, memory, otherness, and the non-human.
Option modules
This module explores the relationship between London and literature past and present. It considers a range of fictional and non-fictional representations of London and work by London-based writers spanning the period from 15th century to the present. There is close attention to the cultural institutions that have sustained the city's literary life, the relationship of literature to other cultural forms and to the ways in which literature has been entangled with London's urban development.
Focusing on the 1990s to the present day, this module examines the idea of the “queer”. Examining a range of theoretical, literary and cultural perspectives on the topic, the module will investigate what queer means and how it has shaped our ideas about sexuality, identity, intimacy, desire and representation. Each week you'll engage with some theoretical writing to complement and extend our engagement with the primary material.
This module explores how different literary and cultural forms have been used to construct and contest expressions of nationhood, nationality, and nationalism in diverse cultural and historical contexts from the Global North and South. You will engage with writing from a variety of periods and genres to examine how writers have (re)imagined ideas such as sovereignty, citizenship, belonging, and statelessness. In so doing, you will consider the ways in which literature has shaped, resisted, and responded to seismic historical movements such as imperialism, postcolonialism, mass migration, globalisation, and contemporary neonationalism. These ideas and processes will be explored through readings of key theorists and commentators.
Using a range of theoretical, historical, literary, cinematic, visual and other cultural texts, you'll explore the idea of urban culture as it has developed since the mid-19th century. The module considers a variety of different representations of the city, and the ways in which they understand the specificity of urban experience itself. You will also explore the changing global forms and interrelations of ‘western’ and ‘non-western’ urban forms.
This module examines ways in which the world and 'other worlds' were formed through literary and cultural representation during the later nineteenth century. It focuses on themes such as mapping the Empire and the city, scientific views, the natural world, hauntings, sexology and ideas of gender, and the life of the mind.
This module offers you a chance to spend time in a working environment and to think critically about the issues raised by their time there. In the past, students have gained work placement places in schools, galleries, publishing companies and translation agencies, among others.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open evenings
Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
Enhance your critical skills
Our MA is designed to improve your research, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills – enhancing your employability and preparing you for further study.
Choose from a variety of career paths
You'll be equipped for a wide range of careers in the education, creative and cultural industries, including roles in the media, journalism, publishing, advertising, marketing, PR, and library and information services.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Work experience
Study our Work Placement in Cultural Institutions module to gain industry experience and build your professional or freelance profile.
Recent work placements on the module have included:
- British Film Institute
- British Museum
- Film London
- Jessica Carlisle Gallery
- Museum of London
- Wellcome Trust
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- Content writer
- Cultural events coordinator
- Editor
- Educator
- Journalist
- Publishing professional
- Researcher
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Darley Anderson Literary Agency
- Moore Kingston Smith
- Pearson Education
- University of Essex
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
Course Leader
Dr Elinor Taylor
Senior Lecturer
Elinor is a senior lecturer and the course leader for the English Literature: Modern and Contemporary Fictions MA and the Cultural and Critical Studies MA. She studied at the University of Manchester (BA in Philosophy) and the University of Salford (MA in Literature, Culture and Modernity; PhD in English). She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Elinor’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the relationships between cultural production and political commitment, with particular interests in Marxism, modernism and realism; the theory of the novel; culture and antifascism; and working-class cultural production. She has published two books, The Popular Front Novel in Britain (2018) and The 1930s: A Decade of Modern British Fiction (2021), and contributed to several essay collections and journals such as Key Words and Twentieth Century Communism.
The study of culture reveals the deep structures that shape the world we live in"
Course Team
- Dr Simon Avery - Reader in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture
- Professor John Beck - Professor
- Dr Lucy Bond - Principal Lecturer
- Dr Monica Germana - Reader
- Dr Kate M. Graham - Senior Lecturer in English Literature (Theatre)
- Dr Michael Nath - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Elinor Taylor - Senior Lecturer
- Professor Leigh Wilson - Professor of English Literature
- Dr Anne Witchard - Reader
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
You'll be studying in the centre of one of the world’s greatest cities, within easy reach of London's unrivalled library, cultural and archive resources.
Study across disciplines
Our interdisciplinary modules give you the opportunity to study a wide variety of cultural forms and broaden your understanding of contemporary culture.
Benefit from cutting-edge expertise
Our teaching is current and research-led, with our staff including experts in critical theory, memory studies, queer theory, urban culture, and experimental writing.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
More information
University preparation courses
Our partner college, Kaplan International College London, offers Pre-Master’s courses that may help you gain a place on a postgraduate degree at Westminster.
To find out more, visit University preparation courses.
Learn new skills
Volunteer and gain new skills
We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.
Get extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,700 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,500 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Research groups
Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.
Find out more about our research groups related to this course:
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course Location
Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
Our Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
Your Westminster
Book an open day. Order a prospectus. Sign up for newsletters.