To qualify for the degree of Master of Arts in Language Studies (Research), candidates will be required to:

successfully complete four modules, three of which must be at level 5000 or 6000.
In English Literature, there is one compulsory module: EN6770 (Graduate Research Seminar)
obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 for all examinable modules. The candidature of a student will be terminated if he/she:

• obtains a CAP of less than 2.5 for two consecutive semesters, or less than 3.0 for three consecutive semesters; or
• fails more than two modules

successfully complete a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words.

Converting from the MA (Research) to PhD programme

A candidate currently registered in the MA (Research) programme may apply to convert his/her candidature to the PhD programme, provided he/she satisfies the following requirements:

passes at least 5 modules, of which at least two must be at level 6000
obtains a minimum CAP of 3.5
obtains satisfactory grades in the CELC graduate English modules at intermediate level (if applicable)
meets the following Departmental requirements:

• a formal application for conversion to the Department either by email or letter
• the intention to convert given to the supervisor in the second semester of the MA programme
• a letter of reference from the supervisor in support of the proposed conversion
• a portfolio in support of the application (which may include, for example, essays of modules taken, any work done to date on the MA thesis, sample ISM, and description of proposed research topic.)

passes the PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) after having met conditions (1) to (4).