English and American Studies

The MSt programme in English and American Studies consists of four main components, through which you will study the history and criticism of American literature alongside the history and criticism of Literature in English.

In the first two terms, you will take a core course (A) that offers a ‘state-of-the-field’ overview of American literary studies and a compulsory course in book history and theories of text focused on materials emerging from Colonial American and US contexts (B). You will also choose two courses from a range of options in American Literature, Literature in English, and World Literature (C). Under the guidance of a specialist supervisor you will also research and write a dissertation, usually one primarily on American materials, which is submitted in the final term.

The MSt programme is assessed via the submission of four pieces of coursework. In addition to the dissertation, you will submit three essays of 6,000 to 7,000 words – one at the end of the first term, and two at the end of the second term – relating to the B and C courses that have been taken.

All course work will be completed by the end of the second term (Hilary term), leaving the summer term (Trinity term) to complete the dissertation, which is submitted in June.

This is the core course for this MSt. It is formally non-assessed but compulsory. The classes on American literature, contexts and approaches introduce representative key texts and current debates on the literature and cultural history of Colonial America and the US. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for advanced literary study in American literature and culture.

This is a compulsory, assessed course, taught via a range of lectures and seminars in each of the first two terms. It is designed to train you for research in English, through the study of bibliography, palaeography, book history and theories of text in the Colonial American and US national contexts.

The special option courses present an excellent opportunity for you to develop and pursue your research interests, whether related or unrelated to other work undertaken as part of the MSt degree. You are not constrained to follow option courses in American literature and, indeed, option courses often traverse the boundaries of the broad periods and subject groups. The courses are taught in weekly, small group seminars.

You will write a 10,000- to 11,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice, but related to the work you have been doing over the year in the English and American Studies strand of the MSt program. You will be assigned to a member of academic staff who will act as your supervisor.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of English and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of English.

Many English taught-course students go onto doctoral research, both at Oxford and at other universities worldwide. Other graduates pursue careers in occupations including teaching, journalism, law, publishing and the civil service.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of English Language and Literature

English DPhil

English (1550-1700) MSt

English (1700-1830) MSt

English (1830-1914) MSt

English (1900-Present) MSt

English (​650-1550) MSt

English and American Studies MSt

English Studies (Medieval Period) MPhil

World Literatures in English MSt

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Entry requirements