MA Critical Theory

The MA Critical Theory program at Birkbeck University of London provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical frameworks and methods that underpin contemporary critical thought. Students will engage with a wide range of texts, including literary works, philosophical texts, and cultural artifacts, to develop their critical thinking skills and gain a deep understanding of the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. The program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in fields such as academia, cultural criticism, journalism, and social activism.

Additional Information

The MA Critical Theory program at Birkbeck University of London is a one-year, full-time program that consists of eight modules. Students will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research in the field through seminars, workshops, and lectures given by leading scholars and practitioners. The program also includes a dissertation module, where students will have the opportunity to develop an original piece of research under the supervision of a faculty member.

Why Study Critical Theory at Birkbeck University of London?

Birkbeck University of London is one of the leading institutions for the study of critical theory in Europe. The university has a long tradition of intellectual rigor and innovation, and its Critical Theory program is known for its interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on practical application. Students who complete the MA Critical Theory program at Birkbeck will have access to a wide range of resources and opportunities for networking and career advancement.

This MA in Critical Theory gives you the opportunity to explore the provocations of various waves of critical theory in relation to culture. You will examine a multitude of critical theoretical approaches - with an emphasis on the contributions of the German critical tradition from Kant through Marx to the Frankfurt School, and all those thinkers following in its wake. You will also consider the crossings of politics and aesthetics and the theory’s acknowledgment of, and resistance to, social injustice.

Culture is understood here in its broadest sense, and you will explore it in relation to contestations around topics such as:

science and technology

materialism

ecological crisis

migrant

global and planetary forms

sexuality

gender.

You will consider how the insights and analyses of twentieth- and twenty-first-century critique relate to numerous forms, including literature, print culture, painting, film, photography, music, and digital formats such as touchscreens, gaming, or virtual environments. You will gain confidence in your ability to use constructive, explorative dialogue and debate to seek answers to complex questions.

This MA Critical Theory offers you a selection of optional modules that allow you to focus more specifically on such questions raised within the compulsory modules. These option modules also give you the chance to think across a wide range of cognate subjects and build up areas of expertise.

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honors degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or an equivalent international qualification. Your first degree does not have to be in arts or humanities.

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.