English, American and Postcolonial Literature

The MA in English, American, and Postcolonial Literature at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of literary traditions from the anglophone world and postcolonial contexts. This programme aims to develop critical skills and nuanced understanding of a wide range of texts, genres, and literary movements, from the canonical works of British, American, and Caribbean writers to contemporary postcolonial voices. Students will engage with key themes such as identity, migration, colonization, resistance, and globalization, examining how literature reflects and influences social and political contexts. The course provides opportunities for close textual analysis, theoretical debate, and interdisciplinary approaches, fostering both academic excellence and personal insight. Throughout the programme, students benefit from expert faculty members with diverse research specializations, innovative teaching methods, and access to extensive literary archives and resources. The curriculum includes core modules covering major periods and theories, as well as optional modules that allow for specialization in areas like American literature, postcolonial studies, or contemporary literary practices. Completion of the programme prepares graduates for careers in academia, publishing, journalism, cultural policy, and other fields requiring advanced critical skills and cultural awareness. The MA also offers pathways for further research, including PhD study, supported by a vibrant academic community and opportunities for conference participation, collaborative projects, and internships. Studying at the University of Kent provides an enriching environment with state-of-the-art facilities, a diverse student body, and strong links with cultural institutions. Whether you are passionate about literature or interested in understanding the global dimensions of literary expression, this programme equips you with the analytical tools and theoretical frameworks to engage thoughtfully with texts and ideas that shape our world.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline You are advised to apply as early as possible Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible Part-time variant Flexible More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

EN333 - Romanticism

EN302 - Early Drama

EN331 - Readings in the Twentieth Century

EN332 - Writing America

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

EN695 - Empire, New Nations and Migration

EN697 - Chaucer and Late Medieval English Literature

EN694 - Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama

EN681 - Novelty, Enlightenment and Emancipation: 18th Century Literature

EN692 - Early Modern Literature 1500-1700

EN672 - Reading Victorian Literature

EN675 - Declaring Independence: 19th Century US Literature

EN677 - The Contemporary

EN689 - Modernism

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

EN661 - The Stranger

EN583 - Postcolonial Writing

EN586 - Language and Place in Colonial and Postcolonial Poetry

EN655 - Places and Journeys

EN597 - Postcolonial Long Essay

EN598 - Postcolonial Long Essay

EN604 - The Unknown: Reading and Writing

EN623 - Native American Literature

EN633 - Bodies of Evidence: Reading The Body In Eighteenth Century Literature

EN637 - Unruly Women and Other Insubordinates: the dramatic repertoire of the Q

EN646 - Image, Vision and Dream: Medieval Texts and Visual Culture

EN656 - Heroes and Exiles: An Introduction to Old English Poetry

EN657 - The Brontes in Context

EN658 - American Crime Fiction

EN659 - Contemporary Irish Writing

EN660 - Writing Lives in Early Modern England: Diaries, Letters and Secret Selv

EN588 - Innovation and Experiment in New York, 1945- 1995

EN580 - Charles Dickens and Victorian England

EN666 - From Book to Blog: Geoffrey Chaucer and his Afterlives

EN667 - Harlem to Hogan's Alley: Black Writing in North America

EN668 - Discovery Space: New Theatres in Early Modern England

EN669 - Marriage, Desire and Divorce in Early Modern Literature

EN670 - Lyric, Ballad and Popular Song

EN684 - Clouds, Waves & Crows: Writing the Natural, 1800 to the Present

EN687 - Poetry and Crisis, from the First World War to Occupy

EN676 - Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives

EN701 - The Global Eighteenth Century

EN702 - Thomas Hardy

EN703 - The 'Real' America: Class and Culture in the American Gilded Age

EN704 - Discord and Devotion: Society & Spirituality in Middle English Literatu

EN705 - The Contemporary Memoir

EN707 - The British Novel in the 1860s: Sensing Modern Life

EN708 - Virginia Woolf

EN709 - Animals, Humans, Writing

EN710 - Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement

• A level:AAB including English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B
• Access to HE Diploma:The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma):The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.
• International Baccalaureate:34 overall or 17 at HL, including HL English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 OR English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2015 financial support package includes a £6,000 cash bursary spread over the duration of your course. For Ts&Cs and to find out more, visit our funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages. Please note that details of the scholarship for 2015 entry have not yet been finalised and are subject to change.

The BA in English, American, and Postcolonial Literature at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive exploration of literary traditions from various regions and eras. This programme is designed to develop critical skills in literary analysis, encouraging students to engage deeply with texts from England, the United States, and former colonies. Throughout the course, students examine a wide range of literary genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and essays, and explore themes such as identity, culture, history, and power. The curriculum often includes modules dedicated to specific periods like Medieval and Renaissance literature, Modern and Contemporary literature, as well as postcolonial studies, enabling students to understand the historical contexts that shape texts.

Students also gain an understanding of the theoretical frameworks that underpin literary criticism, including postcolonial theory, feminism, Marxism, and psychoanalysis. The programme emphasizes close reading and contextual analysis, fostering skills that are highly valuable in various careers such as publishing, education, journalism, and cultural policy. The University of Kent provides excellent facilities, including dedicated libraries and access to digital archives, supporting research and independent study.

In addition to academic coursework, students may have opportunities to participate in study abroad programmes, internships, and research projects, which enhance their practical experience and global perspective. The department often hosts lectures, seminars, and guest speaker events, giving students access to leading scholars in the field. Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for further postgraduate study or careers in fields calling for strong analytical, communication, and intercultural skills. Overall, the programme aims to produce graduates who are not only well-versed in literary history but also capable of critical thinking and cultural awareness in a globalised world.