World Literature MA

Explore our World Literature taught Master's degree at Warwick

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P-Q2PE

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

29 September 2025

English and Comparative Literary Studies

University of Warwick

The World Literature MA at Warwick draws on the English and Comparative Literary Studies Department's renowned expertise in theoretically-driven world-literary and postcolonial studies to offer a course unique in the UK. Warwick’s English Department allows you to explore these areas while working with those at the cutting intellectual edge of world literary studies.

The MA in World Literature at Warwick draws on our Department’s renowned expertise in theoretically-driven world-literary and postcolonial studies to offer a year-long course that is unique in the UK.

Considering your position as a future scholar and global citizen, this MA will immerse you in the study of writing and culture from across the globe. You will take a core module in the methodology and theory of world literature, choose from a range of modules that address issues in modern and contemporary world literature, and write a dissertation on an (approved) topic of your choice with a specialised supervisor.

The MA in World Literature comprises a Research Methods module, the core module, Fundamentals of World Literature, three further optional modules, and a Dissertation of 16,000 words. You can take one of your three optional modules from outside of the department, including from the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning.

For more information, please visit the World Literature webpage on the English website.Link opens in a new window

Seminars consist of 5 to 18 students.

Contact hours comprise 4 hours of seminars a week, 2 office hours per member of staff, weekly reading groups and research seminars, and one-to-one Dissertation supervision in terms 2 and 3.

All essays are marked by two members of staff. The standard length for essays for modules on this course is 6,000 words; the Dissertation is 16,000 words. Marks are given out of 100.

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.  

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

65% in an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.

Applicants are asked to provide a writing sample to demonstrate suitability for the course.

• Band C
• IELTS overall score of 7.5, minimum component scores of two at 6.5/7.0 and the rest at 7.5 or above.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

For more information, please visit the World Literature webpage on the English website.Link opens in a new window

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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