MA English Literature

9 minute read
MA English Literature

From Shakespeare’s masterly written plays to Frost’s romantic poems, English Literature has it all. For those who have immense love for classic novels and a passion for reading contemporary English Literature, MA in English Literature is a great opportunity to dive into the ocean of the rich literary world. Besides reading the work of great writers, you will study how their environment and experiences shaped their style of story writing. Enhance your critical thinking, and creative learning and explore a whole new world of stories by taking up the course. 

Course Names MA English Literature
Course Level Masters
Duration 2 years
Eligibility Criteria A UG degree with English as a core subject
Admission Process Merit-based or entrance test
Average Salary INR 3,00,000 – 5,00,000 
Top Recruiters Amazon, Goldman Sachs, HCL, Infosys, Cognizant, Aditya Birla Group, Educational Institutions, etc
Top Job Profiles Editor, Teacher Publisher, Writer, Translator, etc.

About MA English Literature

The postgraduate program that spans over 1-2 years is aimed at providing you with an advanced understanding of classic and modern literature. Usually pursued after BA in English Literature, the program offers a rich blend of various genres of literature while laying core emphasis on the prominent and lesser-known literary geniuses. During the coursework, you are expected to learn about the various aspects of the subject, reinforcing your knowledge bank while preparing you for the highly reputed positions. You are expected to read about the history and various genres of literature besides thoroughly studying the famous books and authors. The course design varies for different universities but the fundamental concepts that are common to almost every university include:

  • Classical and Medieval European Literature 
  • British Literature
  • The History of English Literature
  • Basics of Linguistics 
  • Modern Literature

Why study MA in English Literature?

There are a variety of reasons to pursue this course, some of which are listed below:

  • MA in English Literature is now one of the most in-demand degrees, with the demand for content writers growing by the day.
  • Candidates who complete this course will have work options in a variety of fields, including content writing, SEO-based writing, and content editing, among others.
  • Candidates will have plenty of career chances since content writing positions are predicted to rise in the future.
  • Candidates will also have a lot of opportunities in academia. Candidates interested in continuing their education might obtain a Ph.D. in English Literature.
  • Candidates can also work on a variety of research projects involving diverse forms of literature from across the world.

MA English Literature Entrance Exams

Exam name Registration date Exam date
BHU AT 1st week of May 2022 to 1st week of June 2022 June/ July 2022
PUBDET 4th week of March 2022 to 2nd week of April 2022 2nd week of August 2022
APU UG NET 07 December 2021 (last) 19th December 2021
UPSEE 1st week of April 2022 to the Last week of May 2022 Last week of June 2022
TS EAMCET 4th week of March 2022 to 3rd week of May 2022 1st to 2nd week of July 2022

MA English Required Skills

  • Good communication skills
  • Management skills
  • Goal-oriented
  • Intellectually curious
  • Organizational skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Analytical thinking
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Inquisitive
  • Interpersonal skills

Eligibility Criteria for MA English

While planning to study abroad at the top universities that offer MA in English Literature, you must consider going through the detailed eligibility criteria that vary for different universities. The universities abroad have a strict selection procedure which makes it hard for students to get admission to their desired courses. You can take the help of experts at Leverage Edu who know the secret to get you enrolled in the university of your choice. The standard eligibility requirements are similar for all the colleges which are given below:

  • You should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the relevant field from the recognized institution
  • You must possess a valid GRE score
  • If you are a non-native speaker of English, then you must prove your proficiency in the language by taking up any of the language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE
  • On the other hand, if you wish to pursue this course from India, you will be needing a UG degree
  • Along with this, the minimum required marks in entrance exams like DU Entrance Exam, JNUEE, Jamia Milia Islamia University Entrance Exam, etc

Admission Process

The application process takes place over some time and begins months before the commencement of classes. The universities have two main intakes known as the fall intake and winter intake for international students to kickstart their journey. You can call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked. Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process:

  • Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favorite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one dashboard platform
  • Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates, and LORs and exam scores like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc
  • Meet all the applications deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships/student loans
  • Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates, and roommates virtually
  • Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university!

MA English Course Fee

The average cost of an MA English course is between INR 10,000 and INR 50,000. This is the typical pricing structure for government institutions and universities. The cost of an MA English course varies depending on the private institution you attend. The cost of private universities can range from INR 50,000 to INR 5,00,000. The MA English course pricing structure for colleges that provide distance education MA English courses differs significantly from that of traditional colleges and universities. The cost of a distance education MA English program might range from INR 6,000 to INR 20,000 each year. Candidates should review the prospectus to gain a clear picture of the cost structure for that specific institution or university.

Course Comparison

Course MA in English Literature  MA In English 
Overview This course is meant to provide students with an in-depth understanding of English-language literature from throughout the world. Grammar and comprehension are not covered in this course. This course includes not only the literature but also the grammatical and comprehensive aspects of English.
Course duration 2 years PG course 2 years PG course
Job Role Writer, Author, Literary Critics Teacher, Writer, Lecturer. 
Cost INR 8,000 – 1.5 lakhs INR 4,000 – 80,000
Average Annual Salary INR 2-5 Lakhs INR 3- 8 lakh per annum

MA English Literature Syllabus & Subjects

Before you check out the eligibility criteria to pursue MA in English Literature, it is important to know every detail associated with the coursework.

Semester 1 

  • English Drama
  • English Novel
  • English Prose and Essays
  • English Poetry
  • Literature in the 19th century
  • Literature in the 18th century
  • Literature in the 17th century
  • Modernism and Post- Modernism
  • Romanticism, Neoclassicism

Semester 2

  • Canadian Literature
  • Native-American Literature
  • South African Literature
  • American Literature
  • Irish Literature
  • African Literature
  • Australian Literature

Semester 3

  • Indian Writings in English
  • Literature in Indian English
  • English in India: Sociological and Historical
  • Indian Writings Translated into English

Semester 4

  • Indian Writings Translated into English
  • History of English Language
  • Linguistic Approach to Literature
  • Stylistic and Discourse Structure
  • Phonology and Morphology of the English Language
  • Syntax and Structure

To know more, you can read our comprehensive blog on the MA English syllabus.

Top Universities for MA English Literature Abroad

Studying a comprehensive course like MA in English Literature opens up an array of opportunities for you. The English-speaking environment that the universities abroad provide adds to the dynamic educational infrastructure. A humungous library filled with literature and poetry books of all eras will help you delve deeper into the intricacies of the course and take the maximum out of it. Some of the popular universities reputed for offering extensive programs in the subject are given below: 

University Location
Royal Holloway University of London UK
University of Reading  UK
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville  USA
The University of Illinois At Chicago  USA
Ball State University  USA
University of Southern California  USA
Leiden University  Netherlands
University of Malaya  Malaysia
University of Ottawa  Canada
University of Windsor  Canada
University of Lethbridge  Canada
Mary Immaculate College  Ireland

Top Indian Colleges for MA English Literature

With scores of students pursuing a career in Functional English or other related avenues, colleges and universities across the world, including India have started offering MA English Literature programs. Glance through the following table to know the names of the institutes providing the course:

  • University of Delhi
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • Christ University
  • Jamia Milia Islamia
  • Hyderabad Central University
  • Loyola College
  • Presidency University
  • Fergusson College, University of Pune
  • Jadavpur University
  • Indraprastha College for Women

MA English Literature Job Profiles

While MA in English Literature is a perfect fit to satiate your quest for literary knowledge, it also has immense potential to lead you to a successful and rewarding career. From reviewing books to article writing or pursuing a career in publishing houses, the degree has diverse scope besides giving your personality a complete intellectual makeover. Supplement your literary knowledge with professional writing skills is the best option if you want to become a writer. Pair it up with any of the Creative Writing courses from top universities by taking help from our career experts, and your journey to becoming a writer would then be just a step away.

  • Writer
  • Literary Critic
  • Editor
  • Communication Strategist
  • Journalist
  • Proof Reader
  • Teacher 

MA English Literature Average Salary

A list of job profiles can be taken up after you complete your degree program from a reputed university. Some of the best-suited job roles that you can consider taking include: 

Job Profiles Average Salary Range (in USD)
Writer 48,000 – 51,000
Editor 54,000 – 81,000
Literary Critic 62,000 – 80,000
Journalist 55,000 – 1,71,000
Communication Strategist 64,000 – 1,00,000
Proof Reader 36,000 – 1,13,000
Teacher  36,000 – 73,000

MA English Literature Distance Education 

MA English Literature courses distance education will benefit from language graduate courses; more recent courses include report language and its cross-genre rhetoric skills, the latest essential practices in classical rhetoric, and psychological traits close to literature. In addition, language students benefit from the wide range of literature courses that our department offers.

Here is a detailed list of universities that offer MA in English Distance Education in India: 

College/ University Course Fees Syllabus
YOU Masters of English  INR 12,000 Download Here
Lovely Professional University Masters of Arts (English) INR 1,40,000 Download Here
Amity University M.A. English INR 65,000 Check Here
Annamalai University M.A. English  INR 5,885 Download Here

The following are some reputed universities offering distance MA English Literature education abroad: 

MA English Literature Online 

Stated below are the options to pursue MA in English Literature online- 

  • MA English Literature by Northumbria University
  • MA English Literature and American Studies by The University of Manchester 
  • MA English Studies by The University of Sheffield
  • MA in Writing by University of North Alabama
  • MSc in Literature and Arts (MLA) by the University of Oxford 
  • MA in English Literature and Culture by the University of Groningen 
  • Master of Arts in Linguistics and Literary Studies by Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Master in European Comparative Literature by Universidad de Murcia
  • Master of Linguistics and Literature: English (M.A.) by University of Antwerp
  • MA English by Aligarh Muslim University 
  • MA English by Jain University (Deemed-to-be)
  • MA English by Lovely Professional University 

MA English Literature Books 

The MA in English Literature aims to deepen candidates’ passion for literature. The following table lists the names of some key books that will be of great help to English MA students:

New Horizons in English Grammar & Composition by B.S Walia Buy Here
Lorraine Hansberry A Raisin in the Sun by Shakti Batra Buy Here
The Mimic Men by V.S NaiPaul Buy Here
A History of English Literature by V.S Naipaul Buy Here
Paradise Lost by John Milton Buy Here
Theory of Criticism by Raman Selden Buy Here
Antigone by Jean Anouilh Buy Here

MA English Literature Future Scope

  • The demand for MA English Literature graduates is growing all the time, and they have more job options to choose from once they finish their studies.
  • Various sectors, such as Education, Teaching, News Agencies, Corporates, MNCs, and so on, are on the lookout for graduates in this subject who can contribute to the company’s success via their knowledge and educational abilities.
  • Obtaining a master’s degree in English Literature would assist graduates in obtaining attractive work prospects that offer a reasonable income.
  • Graduates of MA in English Literature can also pursue their studies by exploring a variety of choices.
  • Graduates can pursue a master’s degree in any discipline of literary studies. A Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) program is a theoretical and research-based program. M.Phil. is an excellent choice for graduates who desire to pursue a career in academia and do in-depth study in the field of literature.
  • Graduates can also take the UGC-NET English Literature entrance exam to get direct admission to Ph.D. programs at a variety of schools and universities.

If you have made your mind to studying MA English Literature from a prestigious institution but you are confused about where to start from, then let Leverage Edu take care of it. Getting admission to a top university is undoubtedly a challenging task but not when you have the industry’s top career experts to write your essays, resumes and SOPs. Book your 30-minute free career counselling session with us now!

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