MA in English
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Taught Masters
- Code
- F58
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 180 credit points
Description
If you wish to develop your research and analytical skills and upgrade your qualifications this degree is for you. You need appropriate entry qualifications, and should have a passion for literature and enjoy an intellectual challenge.
Planning your studies
You must hold an honours degree to be accepted for the MA in English programme. Your bachelors degree need not be in English but you must have the basic skills expected of a graduate in that area. The first module brings you up to date with the latest ideas and approaches in English but does not offer remedial undergraduate training for those who have an inappropriate bachelors degree or inadequate experience. To get an idea of whether the level of work involved and the approach taken on this MA is appropriate for you, you are advised to read some sections of material from the set books list for MA English part 1 (A815). In particular, we would suggest that you read the introductions to The Handbook to Literary Researchand Intertextualities. Chapter 2 of The Handbook also provides you with an indication of the skills you will need to be ready to develop in order to complete the MA. Other chapters of The Handbook give you an idea of some of the approaches to literary research with which you will have opportunities to engage on the MA.
Before you enter the degree you must be able to:
- write clear, concise, grammatically correct and accurately spelt prose
- read large quantities of text quickly, accurately and critically
- classify evidence precisely and assess its value and reliability
- argue logically, consistently and sceptically
- marshal various sorts of evidence to support a logical argument.
If you are in any doubt about whether you possess these skills, you should consider taking one or two of our higher level undergraduate English courses first. If you want help to assess your preparedness please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You must complete the required credit for this award within ten years.
Career relevance and employability
If you wish to pursue an academic career in higher education or research this degree will provide a pathway toward a higher level research qualification (e.g. Ph.D.), which is essential for such a career. A masters degree can be useful in pursuing a teaching career in schools. If you expect to pursue a career in media, culture or knowledge industries – or are employed already in such industries and seek further qualifications to enhance career progression – a masters degree, alongside relevant skills and experience, can be useful. This degree is relevant to those careers that directly call upon knowledge of English literature and culture. It may also be relevant for careers that demand skills in the creative use and analysis of texts of various sorts, critical thinking and organisation, and understanding of culture in a broad sense.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this masters degree you require:
180 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Postgraduate compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
120 | Oct 2010 |
|
60 |
You must pass A815 before studying A816.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successful completion of 180 points’ worth of required courses you will be awarded the Master of Arts in English, entitling you to use the letters MA (Eng) (Open) after your name. You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- MA in English
- Schedule B to the Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification in Arts and Humanities.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
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- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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