Modern and Contemporary Literature

Our MA Modern and Contemporary Literature master's course offers an opportunity to become part of a dynamic group of researchers working in 20th and 21st century literature, culture and theory. You will undertake an intensive and challenging investigation of the broad field of modern and contemporary writing. Units provide opportunities to study modernisms, postcolonial writing, cultural theory, radical subcultures, American culture, contemporary fiction and much more.

Program Highlights

• Study post-1900 literature in all its geographical, formal and thematic complexity and diversity.
• Explore a variety of critical and theoretical approaches to modern and contemporary writing.
• Study at a Top 15 UK University for English (Complete University Guide 2024).
• Become part of a community of active researchers working in the fields of contemporary writing, creative writing, modernism studies and postcolonial studies.
• Discover the literary heritage and cultural assets of Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.

Our reputation is just one reason why Manchester is the best place for you to study for your master’s. We offer you far more than just a qualification. You will be part of a culture of world-leading research and professional excellence.

At The University of Manchester, our research has a direct impact on students. The best international teaching and learning institutions are also great research institutions, and Manchester falls firmly into that category. You will be taught by staff who are recognised internationally to be at the forefront of their subject, and who can incorporate the very latest thinking and discoveries directly into your course.  You'll quickly develop skills, knowledge, and experience that will make employers sit up and listen. We have strong collaborative links with industry and public services. These inform our research and ensure that your course is tailored to the needs of employers. And to help further our research, we invest significantly in facilities and resources, some of which will be available for students on taught courses to use too.

We teach over 90 different Humanities courses at The University of Manchester and provide enrichment activities that celebrate the breadth of Humanities degrees we offer, including Law, History, English, the Social Sciences, Geography, Business, and Languages. The University of Manchester is large, yet compact enough to give the best of both worlds: city life and a campus community. Our campus occupies a large area close to the city centre, allowing students, staff, businesses and the wider public to come together, share ideas and collaborate. It is dominated by grand Victorian buildings but also has quiet corners, landscaped gardens, cafes and common rooms where you can relax and spend time with friends.

Getting around the campus is easy. Everything is within walking distance or connected via a free bus service. What’s more, you’ll have access to one of the best resourced academic libraries in the country and IT facilities to ensure you’re connected on campus and in our halls of residence.

On completion of this course, many of our postgraduates continue their research to develop careers in academia.

The high standard of arts research training, both formal and practical, opens doors to many kinds of public and private sector graduate careers requiring research skills and the formulation of projects and policy documents.

The University of Manchester’s current rankings place us among the world’s best universities.

• The only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact every year of the Times Higher Education Impact rankings
• The second most targeted university by the UK's top 100 recruiters, according to the High Fliers report on The Graduate Market in 2024
• Fourth in the UK, sixth in Europe, and ninth in the world, in the QS World University Sustainability Rankings, for our environmental, social and governance impact. 
• Manchester has been voted the top UK city to live in based on the 2022 The Economist's Global Liveability Index. The city has also been voted among the best cities in the world by Time Out (2022) readers.