The MA by Research course is a pure research course based in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies. You'll complete a 40,000 word research thesis, closely supervised by an academic.This programme is especially suited to applicants who want to develop their independent research skills and explore a particular writer, topic, theory, or critical debate. It is normally for people who have taken time out after their undergraduate studies or hold a taught MA in a related field. Our warm and vibrant research community is one of the largest in the UK, with around 110 postgraduates every year. We offer a full calendar of seminars, symposiums and conferences, with a busy diary of speakers from around the world. We also offer career development support during your time here.You will study alongside ambitious, international scholars and world-leading researchers. Our researchers and writers work at the intellectual cutting edge of their discipline. We want you to harness your intellectual ambitions and interests, and bring your own distinct personal experiences and circumstances to bear on your work.By the end of the course, you'll be well-positioned for further study or employment with the transferable skills you will develop.
Which department am I in?
English and Comparative Literature Studies
Study options
Full Time
(1 Year)
Tuition fees
£25,920.00 (US$ 33,474)
per year
This is a fixed fee
Application deadline
Expected August 2026
Start date
October 2026
Venue
Main Site
Academic Office,
University Road,
Coventry,
West Midlands,
CV4 7AL, Central England, United Kingdom
Entry requirements
For international students
65% (or equivalent) in an undergraduate degree in English literature or a related degree. Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample to demonstrate suitability for the course.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.