This Masters degree in Victorian Literature covers a diverse range of disciplines and theoretical perspectives. You will explore the concept of the ‘Victorian’ by critically examining a wide range of the period’s writing as it engages with the literary, material and historical cultures of the time and in the centuries afterwards.

Programme overview

• MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

The programme involves taught sessions over two ten-week teaching periods. In each teaching period you will study a core course and an optional topic course. During the final phase of the programme you will undertake supervised study of a specialised topic and submit a dissertation.

Teaching periods also include guest speakers from the UK, Europe and the United States. In recent years, Victorianist speakers have included Julian Wolfreys, Matthew Campbell, Kate Flint, Rebecca Stott, John Bowen, Jane Moody and Ann Heilmann.

The programme is primarily concerned with the Victorian period as an age of industrialisation, reform, and recalibration in the wake of disrupted certainty. We examine a selection of writings published during and after the Victorian period (1830-1910) and consider how these might characterise the age – its writing, its values, trends, cultures and reputation.

Themes covered include

• Perceptions of technology and time
• Gender and sexuality 
• The crisis in religious faith 
• Notions of popular and high culture 
• The dynamics of urban space.

Career prospects

The programme provides an excellent platform for you to move onto PhD studies and an academic career.

Academic entry requirements

We normally expect applicants to have obtained a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in English Literature or a relevant subject.

We also require a sample of written work and a short statement outlining your interest in the programme.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 7.0
• no sub-test less than 7.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 100; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): A minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): B minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MLitt