Ireland · Master's
University College Dublin
MA in English Literature
University College Dublin
Course Overview
The MA in English Literature at University College Dublin — Ireland's largest university and a top-200 institution (QS) — is a one-year taught Master's from the UCD School of English, Drama and Film. Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature and the home of Joyce, Yeats, Beckett, and a living contemporary writing scene, giving the degree an unusually rich literary context. Students take advanced modules across Irish, British, American, and world literatures and complete a supervised dissertation, building the critical and research skills prized in publishing, teaching, and doctoral study.
For Sri Lankan graduates, Ireland offers one of the best value-to-outcome ratios in the English-speaking world: EU-quality teaching, English as the language of instruction, and the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stay Back visa) allowing up to 2 years of post-study work for Master's graduates. Dublin's strong tech, media, and education sectors give humanities graduates real routes into paid work after the degree.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle A good Bachelor's degree (Irish/UK 2:1 or equivalent) in English or a closely related humanities subject — a Sri Lankan Second Class Upper degree from Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, or an equivalent overseas degree is competitive.
- check_circle A writing sample and a statement of purpose outlining literary interests.
- check_circle Two academic references.
- check_circle Applicants from adjacent disciplines considered with strong literature coursework.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each component).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall.
- check_circle Duolingo English Test: 120 accepted.
- check_circle Waived if your prior degree was taught and assessed entirely in English — most Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degree programmes qualify with an MOI letter.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (1 year, 2026) | €18,700 | Rs. 6,451,500 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Dublin) | €13,500 | Rs. 4,657,500 |
| Student Visa & Immigration Registration (IRP) | €600 | Rs. 207,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | €32,800 | Rs. 11,316,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme (Stay Back visa) — up to 2 years of post-study work for Master's graduates. UCD English graduates move into publishing, content and communications, EdTech, teaching, and funded PhD study in Ireland, the UK, and the US. Dublin's concentration of global tech and media firms (Google, Meta, LinkedIn) creates strong demand for graduates with advanced writing and analytical skills. Irish graduate salaries typically start €30,000–€38,000.
Related Programs
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in Ireland. We handle everything from applications to visa processing — and it starts with a free, in-person visit to one of our three offices.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.
Book a visit to discuss this course
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Every consultation happens face to face with a counsellor. We don't do phone or online consultations — pick a branch, day and time that suits you.
- location_on Rajagiriya (head office) 8th Floor, Jana Jaya City Mall, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
- location_on Jaffna 158 Hospital Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- location_on Matara No. 474 New Tangalle Road, Matara, Sri Lanka
schedule Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Choose a date & time event_available