UK · Master's
Durham University
MA English Literary Studies
Durham University
Course Overview
Durham University's MA in English Literary Studies sits within the Department of English Studies — ranked among the top three in the UK for English by The Complete University Guide and consistently top 50 worldwide in QS. The one-year programme offers exceptional breadth: students choose modules spanning medieval and Renaissance literature, Romanticism, Victorian writing, modernism, postcolonial and world literature, and contemporary culture, supported by an advanced research training core and a 15,000-word dissertation. Durham's setting — a UNESCO World Heritage city built around an 11th-century cathedral and castle — and its collegiate system give a distinctively immersive postgraduate experience.
Sri Lankan applicants from English, humanities, and arts backgrounds at Peradeniya, Colombo, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, and Open University choose Durham for its research prestige and the strength of its name in academia and publishing. An English-medium Bachelor's degree from a Sri Lankan university typically secures an IELTS waiver via an MOI letter. Graduates qualify for the UK Graduate Route (2-year post-study work visa) and progress into publishing, journalism, content strategy, teaching, and doctoral research. Returnees route into lecturing posts at Sri Lankan universities, senior teaching at international schools, editorial roles, and the British Council.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree (Honours) at 2:1 equivalent in English, literature, or a closely related humanities discipline — Sri Lankan first or upper-second class equivalent.
- check_circle A writing sample (typically 2,000-3,000 words of critical work) is usually required.
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants from Peradeniya, Colombo, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, and Open University English departments are competitive.
- check_circle Personal statement, academic transcript, and two academic references.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (minimum 6.0 in each component) — Durham's higher-tier humanities requirement.
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 102 Overall with component minimums.
- check_circle PTE Academic: 69 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's degree was taught and assessed entirely in English (Sri Lankan English-medium graduates qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (£) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, international) | £27,000 | Rs. 10,800,000 |
| Living Expenses in Durham (12 months) | £11,500 | Rs. 4,600,000 |
| Visa, IHS Surcharge & Books | £1,700 | Rs. 680,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | £40,200 | Rs. 16,080,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
MA English graduates qualify for the UK Graduate Route (2-year post-study work visa, 3 years for PhD). Durham humanities graduates move into publishing (Penguin Random House, Bloomsbury), journalism and media, content and communications, teaching, the civil service, and doctoral study. Median UK humanities-sector graduate salary £26,000-£34,000. Sri Lankan returnees route into university lecturing (Peradeniya, Colombo, Kelaniya, NSBM), senior English teaching at international schools (Colombo International, Gateway, Lyceum), editorial and publishing roles, and the British Council.
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