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Contemporary Literatures MA

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Intro

This masters degree celebrates and debates global contemporary literatures, literary cultures and history. 

At Brighton we believe that humanist engagement in contemporary issues demands engaged citizens – and our MA enables our students to analyse, produce and experience intellectually and politically engaged writing and literature which responds to cultural and social change.

You will examine how the world is debated, represented and challenged through fiction and text. We ask you to think critically about topical issues so you develop an understanding of your own and others' place as critical readers, writers and media-producers, performers and consumers in local and global contexts.

By exploring concepts such as globalisation and environmentalism, and by reflecting on the legacy of colonialism, you will investigate how these ideas produced literary categories such as global English, postcolonial literature and world literature, particularly  through two core modules in semester 1 – Literatures and the Contemporary World, and Writing Black Britain.

The programme includes a placement, providing valuable experience, and option modules allow you to specialise within the field. You can choose to study partly as a distance learner, guided by our team of supportive lectures who have diverse expertise within contemporary literature.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2–6 years

Find out about postgraduate events

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

This MA in Contemporary Literatures aims to capture, interrogate and enhance students’ interest in the position and impact of literatures in our contemporary world, through diverse texts across time and culture.

Dr Kate Aughterson, course leader

Course content

Why study with us?

  • You'll be learning in a radical, forward-thinking environment – our distinctive approach to ‘Literatures’ recognises the multiple modes, positions and places from which texts do and can speak across the world
  • Our research training encourages you to become an independent thinker and writer
  • We work with Brighton and Sussex partners and employers to ensure you have a placement that matches your post-MA ambitions
  • Our team of lecturers all have highly regarded publications and work in the field of contemporary literature and will use their experience to guide and inspire you
  • With its thriving local and international literary, writing, media and arts scene, Brighton offers a unique environment in which to develop critical literary and creative skills

Checkland building at Falmer

The Contemporary Literatures MA is based at our Falmer campus

Syllabus

The course consists of seven modules.

Core modules

  • Literatures in the Contemporary World
  • Writing Black Britain
  • Communities of Practice (placement)
  • Dissertation

Plus you'll choose three option modules, at least two of which must be literature related.

The course is taught across three semesters. Core modules feature in all three semesters, and you'll choose your options in semesters 1 and 2.

The dissertation is undertaken across the summer months (effectively the third semester), with completion in September. Research methods and preparation for the dissertation takes place in weekly sessions after Easter, with discussions with different members of staff about your research methods, practise and outputs.

Students chatting around a table

Modules in detail

Core modules

  • Literatures and the Contemporary World

This module asks you to consider the relationship between contemporary literatures and the world as observable objects. You will read a range of theoretical and critical texts alongside a selection of creative writing in order to consider how literature responds to and shapes the reader’s understanding of the a globally connected world.

It asks you to think critically about the different ways that the world can be imagined as a site of contestation. It provides an opportunity to explore concepts such as cosmopolitanism, environmentalism, globalisation, neocolonialism, internationalism, the planetary, and worldliness in order to examine how these ideas produce literary categories such as global English, postcolonial literature, or world literature. Reflecting on the legacy of colonialism in the making of the modern world and the ways in which it continues to shape the contemporary, the module encourages you to think critically about the ‘universals’ of global capitalism and the establishment of various ‘third’, ‘second’ and ‘non-Western’ worlds.

  • Writing Black Britain

This module introduces students to a diverse body of Black British writing that is so often left out of the curriculum. By exploring the issues around its marginalisation, co-opted and often tokenistic inclusion, it re-positions Black British writing as an integral part of British history and literature. Students will have the opportunity to study Black British writing across a range of genres and modes, including examples of film, television and art.

  • Communities of Practice

This module invites you to think about contemporary textual or literary communities and to consider how these connect to practices of reading or writing or creative practice. How do communities of writers or artists identify or organise around literary or artistic movements or groups? How do communities of readers share their experiences of reading through practices such as reading groups, fan fiction or online reviews? How do readers create meanings through collective activities that take place outside of the immediate experience of reading? How do publishers or writers attempt to create a connection between a text and a readership as a kind of imagined community?

You will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects that involve local partnerships such as New Writing South, The Marlborough Theatre, the Coast is Queer Brighton LGBTQ+ literary festival, Brighton Pride and Trans Pride, and Afrori Books, as well as the University’s Research and Enterprise Group in Performance and Communities and the student-staff decolonising the curriculum group. Supported by tutors and the university’s placement team, you will identify a residency and engage with a project in order to produce a working or creative brief of benefit both to the organisation and your own ambitions. You will have master classes from experts including artists, campaigners, community workers and other professionals working in media, publishing and theatre.

  • Dissertation

Your dissertation will be supervised by an individual tutor and can be on any topic that you have developed an interest in. It provides an opportunity for autonomous extended research – which is both an opportunity to develop a personal interest and yet also prepares you for the rigours of research methods and writing in any field.

Option modules

You'll choose three option modules.

At least two from:

  • Queer and Now
  • Performing Identities
  • Practising Rhetoric: Affect, Sustainability, Inclusion
  • Narrative: The Art and Design of Storytelling

Maximum of one from:

  • Poetry
  • The Process of Publishing
  • Constructions of Britishness
  • Postcolonial Heritages and Transnational Histories
  • Lifewriting

Meet the team

Dr Kate Aughterson, course leader

Kate's scholarly interests focus on seventeenth-century drama, notably with regard to gender and literature, sexuality and literature, and performance culture. With a background in history and art history as well as literature, Kate encourages reading literary texts in the framework and context of the non-literary, linking scientific, textual, philosophical and political discourses, and believes in enabling students to develop reading, analytical and research skills through practical experience of writing and performance. Read more about Dr Kate Aughterson.

Dr Liam Connell

Liam's research is focused on the relationships of cultural texts to nations and transnational movements and most recently has concerned the cultural representations of work and workers. His publications explore the way that social, political and economic questions are played out through various kinds of cultural representations and practices including modern and contemporary writing in English, and in visual cultures of the late twentieth and twenty-first century. Read more about Dr Liam Connell.

Dr Vedrana Velickovic

Vedrana's research interests are in contemporary literature and culture, most specifically in Black British and post-communist/'Eastern European' writing. Her book Eastern Europeans in Contemporary Literature and Culture provides a comprehensive study of this 'wave' of migration to the UK and Western Europe following the enlargement of the EU in the twenty-first century, the social and political changes after the fall of communism, and the Brexit vote. Read more about Dr Vedrana Velickovic.

Dr Jessica Moriarty

Jess is an experienced researcher and editor for the book series, Performance and Communities. She has published extensively on creative writing pedagogy, autoethnography and community engagement. Her current book, the Creative Recovery Handbook, explores creative practice as a method for supporting well-being. Her pedagogic approach has a focus on diversity, personal story-telling and writing for change. Read more about Dr Jessica Moriarty.

Dr John McCullough

John's poetry focuses in particular on mental health, loss, the body, queer politics, queer history and Brighton as a centre for unique LGBT+ subcultures. He has written three collections: The Frost Fairs (Salt, 2011) which won the Polari First Book Prize and was a Book of the Year for The Independent and a summer read for The Observer; Spacecraft (Penned in the Margins, 2016) was shortlisted for the Ledbury-Forte prize and was a summer read for The Guardian; Reckless Paper Birds (Penned in the Margins, 2019) was recently shortlisted for the 2019 Costa. Read more about Dr John McCullough

Other staff who teach on the course include:

Dr Ailsa Grant Ferguson, Dr Andrew Hammond, Dr Aakanksha Virkar-Yates, Dr Joseph Ronan, Dr Bea Hitchman, Robyn Moallemi and Dr Patricia McManus.

Dr Kate AughtersonDr Kate Aughterson

Resources

You’ll have access to facilities across the university, specifically at the Falmer campus, where you’ll be based for your teaching, and at our City campus in central Brighton, where many events relating to research and practice are scheduled.

Falmer campus

  • Drama studio – access is on Wednesday afternoons
  • Postgraduate study spaces
  • Study group rooms in Falmer library
  • Centre for Transforming Sexualities 

City campus

  • St Peter’s House Library – resources and study spaces
  • Postgraduate study spaces
  • Centre for Arts and Wellbeing
  • Centre for Memory, Narrative and Histories
  • Brighton Centre for Contemporary Arts
External view of Falmer library

Our latest news

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English students share experience of their industry placements at Connecting The Dots event

If you study an English course at the University of Brighton you have the chance to take an work placement – and this week students who have worked during their studies at companies including Factory Films and The Old Market Theatre hosted an event to celebrate and feedback on their experiences.

Epoque Press announce new dissertation prize for University of Brighton English students

Epoque Press announce new dissertation prize for University of Brighton English students

  The publishers will support an annual prize for the best dissertation with a prize – graduating students will win books and publication in an Epoque Press e-zine.

English Literature and Creative Writing student wins Hammer & Tongue spoken-word poetry slam

English Literature and Creative Writing student wins Hammer & Tongue spoken-word poetry slam

Read our interview with Merci Roberts where she talks about performing at the event, her course and the lecturers, and living in Brighton, as well as reading her winning poem Justice for Peace.

Creative Writing graduate Joseph Lee talks about his studies and life after Uni

Creative Writing graduate Joseph Lee talks about his studies and life after Uni

I graduated from my full time MA study in Creative Writing in 2021, with a high distinction.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Our Contemporary Literatures MA will develop your confidence with research, critical writing and close analytical reading. You will also focus on specific discipline-based skills such as analytical writing, creative thinking, and speaking and giving presentations to enhance your communication skills, which are valued in professions such as publishing, teaching, marketing, PR, journalism and politics.

The Communities in Practice placement module is a great opportunity to gain experience and insight into work-based practices. You’ll enhance your research or craft and also your understanding of how processes might be applied to a real-life scenario or setting.

Advice, guidance and support are provided throughout the degree to assist you in moving on to your next challenge – whether that be bringing new skills to a current career, moving towards a new career goal, or extending your studying to PhD level.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide. 

Degree and experience
Applicants should normally have an undergraduate honours degree (usually at 2:1 level or above) or equivalent in a relevant subject area, for example English literature, English language, linguistics, philosophy, sociology or politics. Related areas such as history, cultural theory and TEFL are also acceptable.

Applicants without a good first degree may be required to provide written evidence (for example an assignment from a training course or an essay set by the admissions team) of their analytical and reflective skills in writing.

Applicants should also be able to demonstrate that they are capable of undertaking masters-level study and sustained academic work.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 7,866 GBP

International (full-time) 15,462 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.


Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of rooms
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private renting. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Falmer campus

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Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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