English Literature: American Modern Literature MLitt
The Masters in American Modern Literature focuses on the American Literature of the late nineteenth to the twenty-first century. The required courses range across fields and genres including art history, film, ecocriticism, sociology, urban studies, travel writing, and music, as well as providing a grounding in traditional and emerging narratives of modern American literary history.
- Academic contact: Chris.Gair@glasgow.ac.uk
Stephen.Burn@glasgow.ac.uk
- Admissions enquiries: enquire online
- September start
- MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
- Literary analysis will be informed by Glasgow’s tradition of interdisciplinary approaches to American culture, drawing on film, music, philosophy, and art to help frame the development of American modern literature.
- You will be able to work with a team of internationally-renowned North Americanists to develop your research skills and pursue your own research interests in relation to American modern literature.
The university offers superb archival resources in the Special Collections of our library, the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum as well as the nearby Kelvingrove Museum.
Programme structure
You will take:
- Three core courses
- Three optional courses
The course themes: Cities, Institutions, Movements, Entertainments and Anthologies represent the efforts to see writers and canons in dynamic contexts. The course also promotes dialogue and effective comparisons between sessions, suggesting different routes that you may pursue in depth during your degree.
You will also produce a dissertation.
Semester 1:
- RESEARCH TRAINING COURSE
- MODERN AMERICAN LITERATURE 1
- ONE OPTIONAL COURSE
Semester 2:
- MODERN AMERICAN LITERATURE 2
- TWO OPTIONAL COURSES
Summer:
The two semesters of coursework are followed by one term of supervised work towards a 15,000 word dissertation. The topic normally arises out of the work of the previous two semesters, but the choice is very much open to the student’s own initiative. Your supervisor helps you to develop the proposal and plan the most appropriate reading and methodology.
Optional courses
- THE AMERICAN COUNTERCULTURE, 1945-75
- AMERICAN FICTION OF THE 1930S
- CANADIAN LITERATURE (PGT)
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, EDITH WHARTON AND DIALOGUES OF AMERICAN LITERARY MODERNISM
- THE MIND OF THE CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN NOVEL
You may also take, with the convenor’s permission, one course from elsewhere in the College of Arts and the University.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
The critical and analytical skills that you will acquire include:
- the ability to find, select and manage large quantities of information
- confident and persuasive oral and written communication
- problem solving through creative and critical thinking.
These make this programme an ideal step towards an academic or other career.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2020-21
MLitt
Home and EU
- Full-time fee: £8500
- Part-time fee: £944 per 20 credits
International
- Full-time fee: £18370
Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £360
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £340
- Registration/exam only fee: £160
Funding opportunities
Alexander and Dixon Scholarship (Bryce Bequest)
The Bryce Bequest was made by the late Professor John Cameron Bryce in memory of Professor Peter Alexander, former Professor of English Literature at the University of Glasgow, and in memory of Professor W. MacNeile Dixon. The bequest supports exceptional MLitt students on any of the taught programmes in English Literature.
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This year, in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Glasgow is offering scholarships to students in China and Indonesia applying for postgraduate courses in Arts and Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemistry and Geography and Social Sciences (excluding business management and related).
More InformationPostgraduate Talent Scholarships
The University of Glasgow awards Postgraduate Talent Scholarships each academic year to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. The value of each scholarship is £2,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme, in any of the University’s Colleges. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.
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For September 2020 entry we are offering 8 scholarships worth the full tuition fee of a one year Masters programme to academically excellent students from Africa.
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The University of Glasgow has 40 International Leadership Scholarships available to international (non-EU) students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in September. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.
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The University of Glasgow has a total of 28 PGT Excellence Awards available to UK and EU Students. Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University’s colleges and are awarded as a tuition fee discount.
More InformationPostgraduate Student Loan (NI)
If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.
Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.
For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
More InformationChevening Scholarship
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one year Master’s degree at universities across the UK. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.
For further information, please refer to the Chevening website.
More InformationErasmus+ Master Degree Loans
Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans are EU-guaranteed loans with favourable pay-back terms. They’re designed to help prospective students finance their Master’s courses in an Erasmus+ Programme country while leaving as little of a lasting economic footprint as possible.
The scheme is designed to provide postgraduate students with the means to pay their tuition and living expenses – thereby allowing individuals to focus on their degree instead of managing their bank balance. The programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, working under the following guidelines:
- No need for collateral from students or parents - ensuring equality of access
- Favourable, better-than-market interest rates
- Pay-back terms that allow graduates up to two years to find work before beginning repayment.
Please visit the Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans website for more information.
More InformationSir Fitzroy Maclean Postgraduate Scholarship
The University of Glasgow is pleased to award a Sir Fitzroy Maclean Postgraduate scholarship available to new students, from one of the eligible countries, for September 2020 entry.
Sir Fitzroy Maclean was a Scottish soldier, author and politician. Awarded an Honorary degree of DLitt from the University in 1969, Sir Fitzroy Maclean had a long relationship with the University before he died in 1996. This scholarship was established with respect to Sir Fitzroy’s interests and passions.
The Scholarship will be awarded as a tuition fee discount and stipend.
More InformationCommonwealth Scholarship schemes
Commonwealth Scholarships are available each year to fund Commonwealth citizens' study in the UK for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. A range of scholarship schemes are available for citizens of Commonwealth countries other than the UK. Further information is available on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's website.
More InformationSnowdon Masters Scholarships
Snowdon Masters Scholarships give a small number of exceptionally talented disabled people an opportunity to flourish and achieve their true potential.
The scholarship has been designed to identify and accelerate talented disabled individuals through higher education.
The scholarship is aimed at;
- Supporting brilliant students with the ability to create change and influence others
- Provide funding for students with excellence in a field of study, within and beyond academia
- Accelerate disabled students to become leaders and role-models
- Provide opportunity for individuals with the drive and determination to succeed
Please see Snowdon Masters Scholarships website for more details.
More InformationAlumni Discount
The University offers a 10% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
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The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.
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The Clan Gregor Society are offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and postgraduate applicants.
More InformationPostgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500 towards their course.
Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply to us for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.
Please see the Postgraduate funding guide.
For more information visit the SAAS website
More InformationPostgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
Postgraduate Master's Finance
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:
- a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
- a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
More InformationCONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
More InformationFulbright Commission
The US-UK Fulbright Commission hosts both the Fulbright scholarship programme and the EducationUSA advising network for the UK. The Commission focuses on opportunities and exchanges between the USA and the UK, as part of a global programme. The Fulbright Awards are now open and there are several postgraduate or research project awards available. The US-UK Fulbright Commission is committed to growing the numbers of applications and participants in the UK Fulbright Postgraduate programme from under-represented groups and to continuing fair access to the programme and the Fulbright Opportunity Fund will be available for the first time in the 2020-21 application cycle.
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The University of Glasgow is offering four scholarships (one per college) for applicants to the University who are staying in the UK on humanitarian grounds and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students of the University of Glasgow applying for entry in 2020. The scholarship meets the full cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme as well providing an additional £5,000 per year stipend, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met this will also be provided for the duration of your degree. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Residential Services section on the website.
We are also offering four scholarships to students who hold refugee status. This scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 per year stipend toward living costs per year of study.
More InformationThe scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.
We also require:
- A sample of written work, about 3,000 words in length. This can be a previous piece of work from an undergraduate degree. The work should be written in English. The content does not have to cover a topic related to this specific programme, but the sample should show the potential to engage successfully with postgraduate-level literary studies through demonstrating analytical ability and knowledge of appropriate scholarly methods and conventions.
- A short statement of around 500 words outlining your interest in this programme.
- At least one academic reference.
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:
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
- ibTOEFL: 100; no sub-test less than:
- Reading: 24
- Listening: 24
- Speaking: 23
- Writing: 27
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 185; no sub-test less than 185
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 185; no sub-test less than 185
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 70; no sub-test less than 70
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEIII at Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's English for Academic Study Unit offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Standard application deadlines
- International applications (non-EU): 21 July 2020
- UK and EU applications: 25 August 2020
Classes start September 2020 and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before.
Apply nowMore information about this programme
