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Study Early Modern English on a degree which is taught by King's and the British Library and provides a unique opportunity to study early modern literary works, including Shakespeare, Donne, and Jonson, in the light of recent critical approaches and as print and manuscript material artefacts.
The part of the course taught at the British Library is specially designed to teach students how to search collections of early modern manuscripts and rare books held in major research libraries worldwide and how to identify the agents involved in their production, transmission and preservation in libraries and private collections.
The course offers an ideal foundation for careers in the arts, education, curatorship and broadcasting.
Application status Open
Duration One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
Study mode Full-time, Part-time
Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90
Course intake No set number.
Course leaders Dr Sarah Lewis
Dr Sarah Lewis
Course contact for further information Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 7000 fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200
Course contact form Postgraduate admissions
Awarding institution King's College London
Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Department Department of English
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Our Early Modern English Literature MA is an innovative and exciting partnership between the Department of English at King’s and the British Library.
The course focuses on the transmission of key early modern literary texts, investigating both the circulation of literary texts in manuscript and print and the way they were received. The specific process through which a literary text reaches its readers or its audience is central to its interpretation.
You will learn to read early modern handwriting, to transcribe neglected literary manuscripts and rare printed texts, and to edit them for the modern reader. In focusing on transmission alongside more traditional literary approaches, the course explores the impact of the materiality of the text and of the material conditions of its (re)production on the way it is interpreted.
The Material Legacy of Early Modern Literary Texts module, which is taught at the British Library, is specifically designed to teach you how to search collections of early modern manuscripts and rare books held in major research libraries worldwide, and how to identify the factors and people involved in their production, transmission and preservation in libraries and private collections.
TeachingIf you are a full-time student, we will provide you with four to six hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars. We will expect you to undertake 26 hours of independent study.
If you are a part-time student, we will provide you with two to four hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars. We will expect you to undertake 13 hours of independent study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
AssessmentYour performance will be assessed mainly through written coursework or presentations. Forms of written assessment typically include essays and critical commentaries. Coursework contributes approximately 100% and examinations approximately 0% to your final mark.
LocationThe course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus and the British Library.
Both institutions are located in the heart of literary London, and you will have easy access to the wealth of cultural offerings – including a range of libraries, archives, and theatres – in one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
This MA allows you to make the most of the extensive literary resources and facilities available at these two world-class organizations.
Regulating bodyKing’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.
You are required to take:
In addition, you are required to take two modules, totalling 40 credits, from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
If you are a part-time student, you will take The Material Legacy of Early Modern Literary Texts in your first year, along with 20 credits from the list of optional modules above. In your second year you will take your dissertation and Working with Early Modern Literary Texts, along with a further 20 credits of optional modules.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to- date, innovative and relevant courses of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Minimum 2:1 BA honours degree in English Literature or in a subject in which English literature plays a significant part; other well-qualified candidates may be considered.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Your application will be assessed by at least two academics. We do not interview all applicants, but you are welcome to call the programme leader to arrange a visit. We aim to process all applications within four to six weeks, although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).
We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.
Please note you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline and places are filled before the final deadlines above and we are unable to process more offers.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.
Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.
The UK/EU deposit is £500.
The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.
Additional costs/expenses
In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for:
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.
I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.
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