Course Overview

MA Victorian Studies offers you the chance to take a genuinely interdisciplinary approach to studying the literature, culture, and history of Victorian Britain. You will encounter a compelling range of Victorian texts, contexts, themes, and ideas on a degree course that does justice to the energy and variety of the Victorian period.

Two core modules introduce you to some of the most significant debates, ideas, and events of the long nineteenth century, and offer you the chance to develop new critical approaches to Victorian studies. These are supplemented by a wide range of option modules, which allow you to pursue your own interests in the field of Victorian studies and beyond. You will be supported with one-to-one supervision for your culminating dissertation.

Graduates can pursue career paths in academia and the wider education sector, publishing and editing, the creative arts, library and archive work, arts administration, journalism, and writing-based careers. Careers of our recent graduates include:

Policy Adviser at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport

• Classics Editor at Penguin Books

• Curator at the Guildhall Art Gallery

• Company Manager at the Jupiter Theatre in Florida

• Director of Education at No More Marking

• Curator of Contemporary Literary Archives at the British Library

We are also proud of graduates forging their way as successful writers and novelists, and our MA Victorian Studies alumnus who is Britain’s leading young spiritualist medium.

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

Normally a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject such as English, history, philosophy or history of art, but a degree in other subjects will be considered, as will other qualifications.

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.