Critical Approaches to Childrens Literature

Critical Approaches to Children's Literature at the University of Cambridge offers an in-depth exploration of the fundamental and contemporary issues surrounding children's literature. This programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the literary, cultural, and social dimensions of texts aimed at young readers. Through rigorous analysis, students examine a wide range of genres, including picture books, fairy tales, young adult fiction, and digital media, to understand their roles in shaping perceptions, identities, and societal values. The course emphasizes critical theories and pedagogical approaches, encouraging learners to interrogate dominant narratives, power structures, and representations within children’s literature. Students engage with scholarly debates on authorship, illustration, censorship, and reader reception, fostering a nuanced appreciation of how children's texts function both as literary works and cultural artifacts. The programme combines theoretical coursework with close reading exercises, research projects, and discussions led by experts in the field. It aims to develop students' analytical skills, critical thinking, and understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that influence children's literature production and reception. Graduates of this programme are well-equipped for careers in academia, publishing, education, curation, and policy development, or to pursue further research in related fields. The programme is designed to be accessible to students with diverse academic backgrounds, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and contemporary issues relevant to children's literature today.

• Module 1: Texts, Contexts and Childhood
• Module 2: Perspectives on Children's Literature
• Module 3: Visual Texts
• Module 4: Texts and Readers

The course is assessed through three assignments, each designed to be personally rewarding as well as professionally enlightening and intellectually challenging: a theorised reading autobiography, focusing on texts for children with particular reference to changing constructions of childhood; an empirical study of children responding to a selected picturebook; and a thesis on a topic of the student's own choosing, which may be either a purely literary study or a small empirical research project.  Students joining in the second year of the course do the thesis but not the essays.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Personal Reference. This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Extra Materials 

Please note: If you are applying for the MPhil or the 2-year MEd, please complete the task below. If you have done or are currently doing the PGCE at the Faculty, it is not necessary to upload this task with your application.

Please write an essay or a piece of original critical research around 2,000 words. Choose a children's or young adult text (picturebook, poetry collection, fairy tale, novel, film, comic) that would allow an interesting discussion. (Do not choose texts which may portray young people, but are not explicitly addressed to young readers, such as To Kill a Mockingbird). Please avoid obvious choices, for instance, Roald Dahl or J K Rowling, unless you are confident that you have something original to say about them. You are expected to use a reasonable number of critical sources to support your argument.

Focus on one or two aspects of the text and explore them in depth rather than trying to cover many different aspects. Some features that you may want to examine, include, but are not limited to:

• the socio-historical and literary context
• the genre-specific features of the text (fantasy, adventure, boarding-school story, dystopia)
• ideology and intention (for instance, gender, race, class)
• narrative structure, characterisation and narrative perspective
• the use of language
• the implied audience
• for a picturebook or graphic novel, the interaction of word and image

You are welcome to draw on your childhood memories of the text or your experience of using it with children; however, this should not be the primary focus of your essay. 

The Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature program at the University of Cambridge offers diverse financing options for prospective students. Tuition fees are determined annually and vary depending on the student’s fee status, such as Home, EU, or International student. For UK residents, the fees are generally lower due to government subsidies, while international students are required to pay the full international rate. The university provides detailed fee information on its official website, which is regularly updated to reflect changes in the funding landscape.

In addition to tuition fees, students are advised to consider living costs, including accommodation, food, books, and personal expenses. Cambridge offers a range of accommodation options, from college-owned residences to private rentals, with costs differing based on location and type of housing. The university recommends budgeting approximately £10,000 to £15,000 annually for living expenses.

Financial aid is available through various channels. Scholarships and bursaries are offered by the university, college-specific funds, and external organizations. Some scholarships are merit-based, rewarding academic excellence or research potential, while others focus on financial need. Applying for these scholarships typically requires submitting a separate application alongside the admission process. Additionally, students may qualify for government funding schemes, such as student loans or grants, depending on their nationality and residency status.

The university also encourages students to explore part-time work opportunities available on campus, which can help cover living costs. Cambridge’s flexible job schemes and research assistant roles enable students to gain valuable experience and financial support simultaneously. Furthermore, the university provides comprehensive financial advice and support services to assist students in planning their budgets and accessing available funding sources.

Overall, financing a degree in Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature at the University of Cambridge involves a combination of tuition fees, living expenses, scholarships, government funding, and potential part-time employment. Students are encouraged to thoroughly research all options early in the application process to ensure they can meet the costs associated with their studies and make the most of the financial aid options available.

Critical Approaches to Children's Literature at the University of Cambridge offers a comprehensive exploration of the theoretical, cultural, and social dimensions of children's literature. The program is designed for students interested in analyzing children's texts through various critical lenses, including literary theory, cultural studies, gender studies, and visual analysis. It emphasizes understanding the historical context of children's literature and its evolving role in society. Students engage with a diverse range of materials, from classic children's books to contemporary publications, critically examining themes such as identity, power, race, and childhood construct in literature. The course encourages practical engagement through seminars, peer discussions, and research projects, fostering analytical skills and an appreciation for the depth and complexity of children's texts. The program prepares students for careers in academia, publishing, education, or cultural institutions, providing them with critical tools and methodological approaches vital for sustained scholarship and professional development. Students benefit from Cambridge’s rich academic resources, including access to extensive libraries and research centers specializing in literature and childhood studies. The degree involves coursework, presentations, and a dissertation, guided by leading scholars in the field. The program also promotes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from psychology, media studies, and history to deepen understanding of children’s literature's impact and significance. Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue successful careers as researchers, educators, writers, and curators, contributing meaningfully to academic and public discourses on children's literature. The program's structure and content reflect the University of Cambridge’s commitment to rigorous scholarship and innovative research, making it a premier choice for students passionate about understanding children's literature’s multifaceted nature and its role in shaping cultural perspectives on childhood.