Application guidelines

MA in English Literary Studies (Coursework)

MA in English Literary Studies – (Research only)

Applying for the degree of Master of Arts in English Literary Studies (Coursework)

Admission requirements

  • An Honours degree is required.
  • Students with a strong academic record to Honours level in English or a related subject are encouraged to apply. Students who have taken time off since completion of their BA, or who have had an unusual path to the Masters programme are also encouraged to apply.
  • Students must have been awarded at least 65% for an Honours degree in English or a related discipline.

How to apply

  1. Make an online application for study through the central UCT admissions office by no later than 31 October for South African applicants and no later than 30 September for international applicants.
  2. Your application materials should include the following three documents:
  1. Statement of motivation of about 1 page. Please include at the end of the statement the names and contact details (email and telephone) of two academic referees whom the Committee could contact if needs be. We do not require written references to be submitted in the first instance.
  2. A sample of your written work.
  3. Academic transcript. External applicants must attach an official academic transcript and internal applicants can submit an unofficial transcript showing their student number. If final results are not yet available, please forward them as soon as they are. Some students may be admitted provisionally based on mid-term results and subject to satisfactory performance in their final exams.

Admissions process

The decision-making process will involve a close examination of your transcripts, an example of a critical essay and a statement of motivation. You are requested to please provide the names of two referees at the end of your statement of motivation.

Admissions decisions will be made by a Departmental Committee.

In line with the UCT mission of equity and excellence, the committee will deliberately seek to ensure that the class will reflect the diversity of talent available in the country.

The Departmental Committee will meet during November each year to make decisions on admissions. Applicants will then be notified early in December by email whether they have been accepted. In exceptional cases a small number of applicants may be wait-listed for acceptance.

Once an applicant’s admission has been confirmed by the Department of English Literary Studies, the Humanities Faculty Office Graduate School will send a formal letter of admission stating registration dates.

Successful candidates are asked to confirm their acceptance in writing within two weeks.

Funding

Information about funding may be found on the Postgraduate Funding Office website.

 

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Applying for the degree of Master of Arts in English Literary Studies (Research only)

Admission requirements

  • An Honours degree in English or a related discipline is required.
  • Students with an excellent academic record to Honours level in English or a related subject are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a proven ability to conduct independent, original research in the field of English Literature.
  • Admissions decisions will be made by the Departmental Research Committee. The Committee will study your research proposal carefully to determine if it is feasible, and consult members of the academic staff to determine if the expertise to supervise your proposed research exists in the Department.

How to apply

  1. Make an on-line application for study through the central UCT admissions office by no later than 31 October for South African applicants and no later than 30 September for international applicants.
  2. Your application materials should include the following documents:
  1. Statement of motivation of about 1 page. Please include at the end of the statement the names and contact details (email and telephone) of two academic referees whom the Committee could contact if needs be. We do not require written references to be submitted in the first instance.
  2. A brief research proposal of 500 words.
  3. A sample of your written work (no longer than 10 pages).
  4. Academic transcript. External applicants must attach an official academic transcript and internal applicants can submit an unofficial transcript showing their student number. If final results are not yet available, please forward them as soon as they are. Some students may be admitted provisionally based on mid-term results and subject to satisfactory performance in their final exams.

Admissions process

The decision-making process will involve a close examination of your transcripts, the feasibility of your proposal and a statement of motivation. You are requested to please provide the names of two referees at the end of your statement of motivation.

Funding

Information about funding may be found on the Postgraduate Funding Office website.