Top Universities Offering Master’s in Literature

The phrase, Hamlet’s desperate plea ‘to be or not to be’; Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice; Mr. Darcy’s ever brooding and cold demeanor; and of course, the poems of Wordsworth spilling over with descriptions of nature; and many more instantly wash over us with the words English Literature. There is a perpetual fascination, and perhaps even intimidation associated with this abounding realm of study, that rouses the fiery passion of many. The study of brilliant authors, myriad novels, gliding poetry, thrilling narratives, romantic fiction, and so much more; it is one of the most interesting and rich fields of study.

Universities worldwide provide extremely specific courses that deal only with a particular branch of world literature, such as African American Literature, British Literature, Indian Literature, etc. or even courses that give more diversely expansive choices, such as Historical Periods in Literature, Comparative Literature, Critical and Cultural Theory, etc.
However choosing one of these courses, and moreover the university best for the specific literature course you want, can be quite daunting.

Read on to find out the 5 great universities that offer the best English literature courses.

• University of Oxford
The English Department at the University of Oxford is perhaps the largest and most glittering literature department across all universities globally. It is also the most intellectually diverse and rich departments, with members spanning over 300 graduates. The English master’s programmes that are offered are designed to serve as both an autonomous degree for students wishing to pursue advanced studies in English literature, as well as a solid foundation for doctoral research. Their MSt in English Literature allows the students to explore their own interests within the remarkably rich periods in English literary history.

• University of Cambridge
Cambridge is one more such distinguished name with a reputation for the best master’s in English literature programs. The English Department at Cambridge consists of a prestigious faculty known for its eminent reputation, and resourceful and stimulating professors. Cambridge offers an assortment of colorful, interesting, and diversified programmes in the English literature domain, including MPhil in English Studies: 18th Century and Romantic Studies, MPhil in English Studies: Criticism and Culture, MPhil in English Studies: Modern and Contemporary Literature, MPhil in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and many more.

• Yale University
Yale University, another reputed name in the academic circles, has a comprehensive English Department that offers broadly-ranging graduate education programs. The courses revolve around all the traditional chronological periods of British literature, American literature, and many other contemporary disciplines such as Feminist studies, Cultural studies, Post-Colonial literature, LGBTQ studies, and more. The faculty rests on values of pluralism and diversity, where their constant vision is to branch out and encompass more diversified realms of study within English literature; with the department being affiliated with the programs in African-American Studies, Film Studies, History of Art, Renaissance Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as American Studies, Comparative Literature, Medieval Studies, and Religious Studies, and more such exciting fields of study.

• Harvard University
Harvard University, one of the most highly-esteemed Ivy institutions across the globe, also has an acclaimed English Department, with myriad English literature master’s programs. The department is one of the most dynamic ones in the country, offering literature degrees dealing with Critical theory, literary interpretation, and comparative philology that provide the basis for work on translation, the history of ideas, gender, drama, oral poetics, multilingualism, postcolonialism, the environmental and medical humanities, globalization, and world literature. Immersing oneself in such a wholesome experience of literature in your master’s degree is every student’s dream, and thus these programs are a great choice.

• Princeton University
Princeton University is a highly illustrious name in the realm of education, and it offers some of the best English literature degrees. It offers a Princeton graduate program in English, which branches out into a range of theoretical specializations in the field. The faculty of the Department of English is notable for its world-renowned scholarly reputation, commitment to teaching, and accessibility. The faculty showcases wide-ranging interdisciplinary interests as well as a diverse range of critical approaches within the discipline.

The important aspect to keep in mind while choosing the course and university to do a Master’s in English Literature, is to know which domain of literature one wants to deal with. And as we saw, most master’s in English literature are exhaustive, expanding into a plethora of interdisciplinary and theory approaches, making for a richer and more comprehensive discourse. Thus, the key is to know which section of English literature you want to dive into, and from there the process of narrowing down your choices becomes easier.

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