Who is this course for? 

The MA in English is designed for individuals who wish to deepen their knowledge of literature and bring their research and writing skills to an advanced level: for example, recent graduates who wish to extend their study of literature beyond their undergraduate studies, or those returning to learning based on a long-standing interest in literature and creativity. If you are interested in better understanding the ways that literary texts work, or reflecting on the relationship of literature to history and society, or exploring the diversity of creative forms that use the English language, then this programme should appeal to you. The programme will also be highly useful to anyone wishing to hone their analytic and expressive powers, and to complete an original research project – perhaps as a springboard for undertaking a PhD. 

What will I study?  

In the full-time programme, you select six taught courses (3 in each semester), plus a compulsory weekly seminar on writing and research skills. During Semester 2,  you work on the research and writing of your original 15,000-word dissertation project, which you complete by mid-August. A typical menu of taught option courses available in a given year might include: 

• Environmental Literature: Nature and Narration 
• Language, Gender, and Power 
• Yeats and the Cultural Revolution 
• Literature of North America 
• Ireland on Screen 
• Creative Writing Workshop
• Playwriting and Dramaturgy 
• Literature and Colonialism 
• Film, Politics, and Colonialism 
• Travel Literature 
• Media for Social Change 
• Children’s Fiction and Young Adult Fiction in the 21st Century
• Service Learning: Literary Studies in the Community 

Part-time students (over 24 months) complete three courses in Year 1 and three courses plus their dissertation in Year 2. 

Curriculum Information

• Wide range of options: Allows you to choose seminars on a wide variety of topics that reflect staff expertise, including literary history, film and drama studies, environmental literature, colonial culture, creative writing and young adult fiction. 
  
• Service learning: Offers an innovative option course in service learning in local schools (places limited).
• Research dissertation: Supports you in gaining advanced skills in research and extended analysis by completing an original dissertation based on your own interests.
• Writing and communication skills: Learn to effectively articulate arguments in writing and presentations.
• Community: Part of a lively postgraduate community in the School, of English, Media and Creative Arts, with opportunities to meet and attend courses with students from other MA programmes.

Some graduates of the MA in English have gone on to further research at PhD level. The advanced research, critical thinking and communication skills fostered by the programme are highly relevant to employment in a wide range of fields, including: teaching, arts administration, public service, creative writing, corporate communications, public relations, marketing, publishing, broadcasting and journalism.  

Service Learning 

There is a service learning module normally available as an option course in Semester 2: “Service Learning: Literary Studies in the Community”. Students work within the local community through a one-hour per week, semester-long placement in a local primary school in order to develop practical skills and experience in the field of literary studies and reading for pleasure, during which they learn to apply theoretical information to real life issues. In addition to attending a two-hour reflective seminar per week, students will spend one hour supporting children with their reading in a teacher-supervised classroom at a local primary school. Places on the course are limited and subject to garda (police) vetting. 

• Dr Henry Obi Ajumeze 
• Dr Fiona Bateman
• Dr Dermot Burns
• Prof. Daniel Carey
• Dr Seán Crosson
• Dr Coralline Dupuy
• Ms Elaine Feeney
• Dr Andrew Ó Baoill
• Dr Muireann O’Cinneide
• Dr Adrian Paterson
• Dr Ornaith Rogers 
• Prof. Sean Ryder 

How Will I Learn?   

Most of your learning will take place in weekly small-group seminars and workshops, some of them shared with students from other MA programmes such as the MA in Literature and Publishing and the MA in Writing. The emphasis is on informed group discussion, and the development of individual analytic and creative skills. You will also be assigned an individual supervisor who will advise on the early stages of your dissertation topic formulation, structure and drafting. Some modules may involve group projects and collaborative activities that will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments and the dissertation will help you develop intellectual independence and critical thinking.  

Throughout the programme, you will have access to extensive digital and physical resources of the James Hardiman Library. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Your progress throughout the programme is assessed through various kinds of coursework, including essays, presentations, reflective journals and group work. You will also be assessed on your 15,000-word dissertation. Your coursework amounts to 60 ECTS in total; the final dissertation amounts to 30 ECTS. 

Course queries: 
sean.ryder@universityofgalway.ie  

Programme Director:  

Professor Sean Ryder 
School of English, Media and Creative Arts 
College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies 
E: sean.ryder@universityofgalway.ie 

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria are encouraged to contact the programme director to discuss eligibility under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Such candidates may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the programme. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website here.

Graduates of the MA in English will be able to:  

• Demonstrate a breadth of understanding of a range of approaches to the study of literary texts and other cultural artefacts. 
• Evaluate received knowledge and articulate their own contribution to the existing scholarship. 
• Select and apply a variety of critical approaches to the study of literature. 
• Retrieve, select, sift, and deploy a range of sources to support original arguments. 
• Apply enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills to their object of study.
• Plan, manage, and complete a substantial independent study project.
• Reflect deeply on a range of research perspectives, topics, and approaches related to literary study.
• Exhibit the ability to self-assess and self-direct.

Minimum Entry Requirements  

A Level 8 degree in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences discipline with a minimum result of H2.2 overall and a H2.1 in English, or an equivalent international qualification (e.g., BA with minimum GPA of 3.0 for North American applicants). 

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria are encouraged to contact the programme director to discuss eligibility under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Such candidates may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the programme. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website here. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here. 

English Language Entry Requirements  

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. An overall IELTS score of 7.0 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum score of 6.5 in any one component.

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents  

As part of the application process you will be required to submit:  

• A writing sample consisting of a (preferably recent) original academic essay you have produced (between 1000-3000 words). In exceptional cases, this requirement may be waived, or an alternative type of writing sample may be accepted, at the discretion of the Course Board. 
• Personal statement (500 words) outlining your relevant motivations, experience and interests (academic and other) that make you feel that you would be suited to a place on this programme. 
• 2 written references commenting on your academic suitability are also required.

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here. 

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Date 

Given the volume of applications, there is normally a final closing date in mid-May for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the closing date.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance. 

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships  

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025-26 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships
University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here. 

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process. 

• Accommodation Office
• International Students
• Postgraduate Funding—Scholarships
• Student Support and Resources