Course Overview

Our MA in Modern Literature and Culture (1900-present) has been designed to offer you a set of sophisticated cultural and critical frameworks to read literature and culture, across a range of different themes, from 1900 to the present day. It gives you the opportunity to build the skills and knowledge you need to produce your own original and informed cultural critique.

This modern literature and culture degree explores literature from an exciting variety of perspectives. You will begin by focusing on literature and culture from c.1900 to 1945, examining key concepts of modernism and modernity, ranging through literary texts and a variety of different cultural forms and theories.

You will then gain knowledge and insights into literature and culture from 1945 to the present day so that you are exposed to a full background of cultural study in this period. Teachers in this course have a wide range of specialisms and they will explore with you the many critical angles through which we read, interpret and interrogate our concept of what it means to be modern and contemporary.

Our graduates are trained to be effective researchers with good communication skills and an ability to critically assess a wide range of textual and other cultural materials.

You will find graduates of this MA following career paths in:

• journalism

• professional writing

• arts administration or research

• civil service

• law and business professions

• publishing roles

• teaching in schools or as lecturers in further and higher education

• museum and cultural heritage work

• curation

A number of our master's students also go on to study at the Ph.D. level and we will provide you with structured support and guidance if you wish to pursue this path.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education, and future ambitions.

General Eligibility

A second-class honors degree (2:2) or above in English or a related subject. 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 English Literature.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.