This course is designed to provide you with the independence of a research degree with some of the guidance of a taught master’s. You will learn about approaches to the study of literature, and will have the opportunity to study authors, literary movements, themes or critical ideas in depth. Studying alongside our team of academics you will become embedded in our research culture. You will learn about approaches to the study of literature, and will have the opportunity to study authors, literary movements, themes or critical ideas in depth. The course has been designed to provide you with the independence of a research degree with some of the guidance of taught masters. Central to the course is the dissertation, which allows you to explore, in detail, your area of literary interest. You will take part in one to-one tutorials and the supervisor will offer advice on developing appropriate study methods and provide feedback on drafts of the dissertation. Within the course you will take part in student-led symposia. These will give you the opportunity to present and exchange ideas on other students’ work. These sessions lead to a study proposal that gives a detailed description of the dissertation topic. The symposia encourage discussion, cooperation and the sharing of problems and solutions. Whether you wish to take this course as a route to a PhD or as a stand-alone degree, the course structure and its assessments enable you to research a literary interest deeply, organise your ideas effectively, develop your written and oral expression, and to interact in productive ways with your peers.