University of Southampton

English Literary Studies (Eighteenth Century) (MA)

University of SouthamptonAvenue, Southampton

Course overview

Explore 18th century literature in depth with a master’s degree at the University of Southampton. This course gives you the chance to specialise in the culture and history of the 18th century, covering topics such as: 18th century fiction economics and class education gender and sexuality Jane Austen On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for a career in teaching, publishing, librarianship or cultural heritage. You’ll get the chance to carry out advanced-level research and independent critical thinking, and to make effective use of archives, manuscripts, and research libraries.

This pathway is linked to Chawton House Library, the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, which is now home to a unique collection of women’s writing. We offer a flexible module structure which is designed to give you an advanced understanding of cultural analysis, textual interpretation and theoretical method. You'll explore the interrelations of text, theory and culture across the field o

Key highlights

  • Specialise in eighteenth-century culture, history and literature
  • Topics include fiction, economics and class, education, gender and sexuality
  • Dedicated study of Jane Austen and her world
  • Linked to Chawton House Library and its unique women's writing collection
  • Develop advanced research skills using archives, manuscripts and research libraries
  • Flexible modules covering cultural analysis, textual interpretation and theoretical method

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — to include English

Scholarships

  • Biological Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in biological sciences.

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Environmental and Life Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying for a MSc in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing.

    Up to £5,000

  • Geography and Environmental Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in geography and environmental science.

  • Global Excellence Scholarship

    The £3,000 is available as a tuition fee reduction on the first year of study.?

    Up to £3,000

  • Health Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in health sciences. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Medical Technology, Innovation and Design Master’s Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design.

    Up to £3,000

  • Nursing Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in nursing. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Ocean and Earth Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

  • Presidential Bursaries

    The scholarship funds the difference between UK and international level tuition fees.

  • Southampton Ageing and Gerontology Talent Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to UK and international students applying to study an eligible postgraduate Ageing and Gerontology programme in 2026.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Excellence International Scholarship

    Scholarships are available for 3 different amounts: £13,000, £10,000, £7,000.

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Future Leader Scholarship

    Five scholarships of £15,000 are available to UK and international students studying Master of Business Administration (MBA).

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (International)

    If you have a 1st or an equivalent qualification in your undergraduate studies you will get £9,000.

  • Southampton Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in chemistry.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in economic, social and political sciences.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Education Civic Scholarship

  • Southampton Education Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in education.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Engineering Deans Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in engineering.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Faculty of Medicine PGT Talent Scholarship

    Three scholarships of £6,000 off tuition fees are available to UK and international students studying an eligible postgraduate masters’ within the Faculty of Medicine in 2026.

    Up to £6,000

  • Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in law.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton MA Holocaust Scholarships

    2 Sayers Family scholarships of £2,000 are available to students applying for the MA Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage in 2026.

  • Southampton Mathematics Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in mathematics.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in medicine.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Photonics Impact Scholarship

    There are up to 3 scholarships available to international students applying to study MSc Optical Engineering. If you are awarded this scholarship, you'll get up to £15,000 off your tuition fees.

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Psychology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in psychology.

  • Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to international students studying for an eligible master’s degree in social statistics and demography.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Sociology and Criminology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    2 scholarships of £5,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Teachers' Postgraduate Scholarship

    We'll issue the 10% discount as a tuition fee reduction on both years of part-time study. For 2025 entry, the 10% discount for year 1 will be £462.50.

    Up to 10% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Teacher
  • Editor
  • Librarian
  • Archivist
  • Heritage officer
  • Museum curator

Cost of study

UK/Home: £11,000 per year | International: £26,200 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Southampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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