Master of Arts in English (Literary Studies)

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Day - Taught and Research (Mainly Taught)

This programme of study is also offered on a full-time basis. Please consult the Registrar's website for more information pertaining to courses offered by the University.

The MA in English Literary Studies is a newly furbished taught postgraduate course that is designed to be the next step for BA and BA (Hons) English students with an interest in literature and literary studies. It builds on and deepens the reading you will have done and the skills that you will have acquired at undergraduate level. The MA is also distinguished in its local 'flavour'; while it is in many respects comparable with prestigious English MAs offered abroad, it has an identity that makes it specific to the University of Malta, reflecting a unique historical, cultural and geographical situatedness. By the end of the course, you will be able to deliver a dissertation which will contribute to existing research and literature of your choice, with the intricate and concise guidance of the assigned supervisor.

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Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Second Class or better in the same or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for,provided that the Board may consider applicants in possession of the Degree with Third Class Honours only if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree or/li>
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the same or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 55% in that area or
a degree from this or from another university which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. This comparability may, in exceptional cases, extend to applicants proposing a research topic which in itself bridges the area of study of the first degree and the one being applied for. In such cases, applicants would be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability, in accordance with procedures established by the Board.

Supplementary and Preparatory Programme

the Board may require applicants admitted under paragraphs (b) and if necessary (c) to follow and pass supplementary study-units and/li>
applicants in possession of a degree with Third Class Honours or Category III shall be required to complete a preparatory programme.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5100	Critical Debates in Literary Studies	10 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5056	Research Methods	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5078	In Our Time: The Novel View	5 ECTS
ENG5101	Writing the Mediterranean 1	5 ECTS
ENG5102	Writing the Mediterranean 2	5 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5073	Putting Modernism Together	5 ECTS
ENG5074	Voice and Diversity	5 ECTS
ENG5076	Hamlets	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s

ENG5080	The Post-Literary	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5015	Dissertation	30 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ENG5075	Critical and Creative Writing	5 ECTS
ENG5079	Writing from the Edge	5 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of Master of Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

In addition to the total number of credits for the programme (90 ECTS credits), students may apply to the Board to register for the extra study-unit listed hereunder. Extra study-units cannot substitute compulsory, elective or optional study-units that form part of the official Senate-approved programme of studies, and do not count towards the Year Average Mark or towards the Final Weighted Average Mark. The conditions and criteria for Extra study-units can be accessed here Semester 2ENG5119 Creative Writing: Postgraduate Tutorials and Mentoring 5 ECTS

By the end of the degree, you will:

Have an advanced understanding of key issues and debates in contemporary English Literary Studies;
Have acquired in-depth knowledge of many of the major 20th and 21st Century texts and movements in literature in English;
Be able to identify important trends in contemporary literary culture;
Be able to make an informed decision about which contemporary critical methodology to deploy in relation to a literary text;
Be able to discuss from a theoretical perspective the contemporary travails and transformations of literature and literacy; and,
Be able to write critical disquisition on the various aspects of the canon and on factors influencing canon formation.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: NIL

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As a graduate of this MA, you will be allowed to enter a variety of areas and the possibility of alternative MA progressions in interdisciplinary areas, ranging from publishing, editing, proofreading, writing, and so forth. The skills acquired will also make you favourable in competitive roles such as journaling and management. If you would like to further your studies and pursue an academic career, then you may choose to enrol in a doctorate programme offered either locally or internationally.