MA English is a 2-year post-graduation course in English Literature which is a combination of modern and ancient literature. It focuses on the three main aspects of English Literature namely drama, prose and poetry. MA in English also includes cultural, political, social, and historical contexts of English Literature studied at an advanced level. Students who have pursued BA English generally opt for this course to dwell deeper into the study of English literature. We have listed down the MA English Syllabus classified into semesters to give you a clear view of the course.
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission | Merit/Entrance Exam or both |
| Syllabus | English Poetry from Chaucer to Milton Shakespeare 20th Century Poetry and Drama 19th Century Novel Literary Criticism |
| Books | Theory of Criticism by Raman Selden Piers Plowman by William Langland The Book of Margery Kempe Paradise Lost by John Milton The Oresteia by Aeschylus |
| MA English Entrance Syllabus | Medieval Poetry Shakespeare 17-century poetry 18th-century poetry and drama Nineteenth-century novel Language and Comprehension |
MA English Syllabus
Since the actual course offerings and subjects are bound to vary as per the university and the program, here is a general syllabus for MA English.
| Semester I | English Poetry from Chaucer to Milton Eighteenth Century English Literature Literary Criticism I Elective Papers [European Comedy, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Drama] |
| Semester II | Language and Linguistics Shakespeare Elective discipline Elective Papers [Literature and Gender, Romantic Paper, New Literatures in English] |
| Semester III | Indian Literature I 20th Century Poetry and Drama 19th Century Novel Elective Papers: Literature and the Visual Arts in Europe or American Literature |
| Semester IV | 20th Century Novel Literary Criticism 2 Elective Papers: Indian Literature II, The Novel in India, Ancient Greek and Latin Literature |
Note: The aforementioned table enlists the subjects and course offerings as per DU MA English syllabus. Subjects and electives might vary from one university to another.
MA English Subjects – Semester-wise Breakdown
Wondering what are the MA English subjects taught each semester? Here is the list of semester-wise breakdown of subjects taught in MA English, have a look:
MA English Syllabus for Semester 1
| S.No. | Structure of Modern English |
| 1 | Communication |
| 2 | Phonology |
| 3 | Morphology |
| 4 | Syntax |
| 5 | Semantics |
| S.No. | English Fiction |
| 1 | Jonathan Swift: Gulliver’s Travels |
| 2 | Henry Fielding: Joseph Andrews |
| 3 | Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice |
| 4 | Charles Dickens: David Copperfield |
| 5 | George Eliot: Middlemarch |
| S.No. | Traditional English Drama |
| 1 | Ben Jonson: Volpone |
| 2 | Christopher Marlowe: Dr Faustus |
| 3 | William Congreve: The Way of the World |
| 4 | Sheridan: The School for Scandal |
| 5 | William Goldsmith: She Stoops To Conquer |
| S.No. | Indian Verses (Elective) |
| 1 | Background to Indian English Poetry |
| 2 | Nissim Ezekiel |
| 3 | Arun Kolatkar – Jejuri |
| 4 | The Old Playhouse and Other Poems – Kamla Das |
| S.No. | English Language and Literature Teaching (Elective) |
| 1 | Methods and Approaches to Language Teaching |
| 2 | Teaching of Grammar |
| 3 | Dimensions of Research in English Language and English Literature |
| 4 | Teaching of Language Skills |
| 5 | Approaches to Teaching of Literature |
| 6 | Teaching of Poetry, Drama, Fiction |
| S.No. | Research Methodology (Elective) |
| 1 | What is Research? |
| 2 | Constructing Research Design |
| 3 | Research Process |
| 4 | Dimensions of Research in English Language and English Literature |
| 5 | Development, Hypothesis and Preparation of Research Proposal |
| 6 | Research Process |
| 7 | Parts of the Dissertation |
| 8 | Presentation of Research |
| 9 | Presentation of Research |
| 10 | Major Concerns in the Thesis |
MA English Syllabus for Semester 2
| S.No. | The Structure of Modern English |
| 1 | Language and Society |
| 2 | Distinctive Features of British, American and Indian English |
| 3 | Pragmatics |
| 4 | English in India |
| 5 | Introduction to Stylistics |
| S.No. | English Fiction |
| 1 | Thomas Hardy: Jude the Obscure |
| 2 | Joseph Conrad: Lord Jim |
| 3 | D. H. Lawrence: Sons and Lovers |
| 4 | Graham Greene: The Power and the Glory |
| 5 | EM Forster: A Passage to India |
| S.No. | Modern English Drama |
| 1 | GB Shaw: Candida |
| 2 | TS Eliot: Murder in the Cathedral |
| 3 | Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot |
| 4 | Harold Pinter: Home Coming |
| 5 | John Osborne: Look Back in Anger |
| S.No. | Indian Prose Works (Elective) |
| 1 | Background to Indian Prose |
| 2 | Kanthapura |
| 3 | Lokmanya Tilak – Essays from Bal Gangadhar Tilak |
| 4 | RK Narayan: An Astrologer’s Day |
| 5 | Rohinton Mistry: A Fine Balance |
MA English Syllabus for Semester 3
| S.No. | Literary Theory and Criticism |
| 1 | Aristotle: The Poetics |
| 2 | Philip Sidney: An Apology of Poetry |
| 3 | Dr Johnson: A Preface to Shakespeare |
| 4 | William Wordsworth: A Preface to Lyrical Ballads |
| 5 | Matthew Arnold: The Study of Poetry |
| S.No. | English Poetry |
| 1 | John Milton: Paradise Lost Book 1 |
| 2 | John Donne: The Sun Rising |
| 3 | Andrew Marvell: To His Coy Mistress |
| 4 | Alexander Pope: The Rape of The Lock |
| 5 | William Blake: From Songs of Innocence |
| S.No. | English Language and Literature Teaching (Elective) |
| 1 | Methods and Approaches to Language Teaching |
| 2 | Teaching of Grammar |
| 3 | Relationship between Psychology and Teaching of Language |
| 4 | Teaching of Language Skills |
| 5 | Approaches to the Teaching of Literature |
| 6 | Teaching of Poetry, Drama and Fiction |
MA English Syllabus for Semester 4
| S.No. | Literary Theory and Criticism |
| 1 | T.S.Eliot: Tradition and the Individual Talent |
| 2 | F.R.Leavis: Literature and Society |
| 3 | Northrope Frye: The Archetypes of Literature |
| 4 | Ronald Barthes: The Death of the Author |
| 5 | Elaine Showalter: Feminist Criticism in the Wilderness |
| S.No. | English Poetry |
| 1 | Coleridge: The Rime of Ancient Mariner |
| 2 | William Wordsworth Poetry |
| 3 | Tennyson Poetry |
| 4 | Robert Browning Poetry |
| 5 | W. B. Yeats Poetry |
| S.No. | Shakespeare |
| 1 | King Lear |
| 2 | Macbeth |
| 3 | Julius Caesar |
| 4 | Measure for Measure |
| 5 | Tempest |
| S.No. | American Literature (Elective) |
| 1 | Background Topics |
| 2 | Arthur Miller: The Death of a Salesman |
| 3 | Edward Albee: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf |
| 4 | John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men |
| 5 | Poetry |
MA English Entrance Syllabus
Students are also required to qualify for MA English entrance exams like DU MA Entrance, JNUEEE, Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance, PUMDET, etc. conducted by their chosen university to get successful admission into this program. Here is the exam pattern and syllabus for MA English Entrance:
MA English Entrance Exam Pattern
| Mode | Written Test |
| Duration | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| MA English Entrance Syllabus | BA English Syllabus+ English Proficiency is Assessed |
MA English Entrance Syllabus
- 17th-Century Poetry
- Early Modern Poetry
- 18th-Century Poetry, Drama and Fiction
- 19th-Century Poetry, Drama and Novel
- Medieval Poetry
- Modern and Postmodern Critical Theories
- Early 20th-Century Fiction and Drama
- Early 20th-Century Poetry (up to WWII)
- American Literature
- Classical Theory
- Neo-classical Criticism and Theory
- Romantic Criticism
- Contemporary Writings
- Indian Writing in English
- Dalit Literature
- Indian Literature
- Research Methodology
- Language and Comprehension
MA English Syllabus: Core Subjects
As a master’s degree, an MA in English encompasses a comprehensive study of both ancient and modern literature and covers poetry, prose as well as fictional works. Further, it also comprises the literature of different countries as well as their renowned literary works. Before coming to a semester-wise breakdown, let’s take a look at the major subjects in MA English elucidated in the table below:
| S. No. | MA English Subjects |
| 1 | American Literature |
| 2 | Common Wealth Literature |
| 3 | English Language |
| 4 | Literary Theory |
| 5 | Works of Shakespeare |
| 6 | African/African American Literature |
| 7 | Methods of Teaching English |
| 8 | British Literature I: Chaucer to Milton |
| 9 | British Literature II: Dryden to Romantic Age |
| 10 | British Literature III: Victorian Times to Modern Times |
MA English Syllabus: Electives
While the core subjects falling under the MA English syllabus remains the same for all students, the elective subjects keep on changing as per the choices made by applicants. Most of the universities offer an array of papers to choose from. Given below are some of them:
- The Structure of Modern English
- English Fiction
- Indian Verses
- English Language and Literature Teaching
- The Structure of Modern English
- English Fiction
- Traditional English Drama
- Modern English Drama
- Research Methodology
- English Poetry
- Indian Prose Works
- Literary Theory and Criticism
MA English Syllabus Covered in Abroad Universities
There is a wide range of subjects in the MA English syllabus that students get to engage with during the course. Each semester of MA English comprises various subjects. Students are provided with a deep understanding and knowledge of different fields in English Literature. The first semester is an introductory semester consisting of introductory subjects to provide students with an understanding of the different literature of countries around the world. Listed below are all the subjects classified into four semesters, in order to give you a clear view and understanding of MA English.
Semester I
- African/American English Studies
- American Literature
- Commonwealth Literature
Semester II
- British Literature 1
- British Literature 2
- British Literature 3
Semester III
- English Language
- Indian English Literature
- Literature Theory
Semester IV
- Methods of Teaching English
- Shakespearean Literature
Let’s get to know about these MA English subjects in further detail:
African/American English Studies
This subject includes dialects from Ebonics, which is the African-American English Language spoken majorly in the US. For this subject under the MA English syllabus, Students are provided with various dialects from around the world exploring their origins and the works written in these dialects.
American Literature
This subject includes American literature which was written and produced for several purposes in the late 16th century. Literature such as poetry, essays, drama for theatres, etc. is studied and analysed.
Commonwealth Literature
This subject of the MA English syllabus includes Commonwealth and Postcolonial literature from countries that were once considered to be a part of the British territory, this may also include countries that were colonies of the British Empire. An extensive history of this literature is provided to help students understand the change from contemporary to modern literature.
Also Read: Career in Functional English
British Literature 1
This subject of the MA English syllabus covers British literature focused on a shift from Chaucer to Milton. This can assist students in understanding the importance of Chaucer and how he brought a change in society through his English poetry.
British Literature 2
This subject includes British literature from the period of the Romantic Era and the emergence of John Dryden. Students also get to learn about various aspects of writing poetry.
British Literature 3
This subject constitutes one of the most significant periods in British history, i.e. the Victorian Age and the shift from early British writing to modern writing.
Planning to shift fields after a degree in English? You can also read MBA after BA English
English Language
This subject comprises of the study of grammar, punctuation, linguistic approaches, compositions and mode of translations to help students build structural sentences and formations.
Indian English Literature
This subject covers English literature by early Indian English writers, the likes of Rabindranath Tagore, Mukhopadhyay, and Premchand.
Literature Theory
In this subject of the MA English syllabus, students are provided with the knowledge of literary theories such as Criticism, Russian formalism, Structuralism, Marxism, Feminism, etc. Students are given an in-depth knowledge of every theory to understand the concepts better.
Aspiring to attain a doctoral degree in English? Check out: PhD in English
Methods of Teaching English
This subject includes different methods and ways of teaching English for students who want to get into the education field as professors and lecturers. Students are provided with various teaching methods such as direct method, grammar method, structural approach, etc.
Shakespearean Literature
This subject under MA English syllabus focuses on studying the works of Shakespeare as well as his writing and his contribution to English literature. Students are provided with sufficient knowledge about his life and works.
MA English Syllabus covered in Indian Colleges
JNU MA English Entrance Syllabus
Jawaharlal University is known for its courses in humanities. Getting selected in JNU for MA English is not easy with the stringent competition. However, if you are well prepared, the way would be much smoother. Here is the JNU MA English Entrance Syllabus:
- History of English
- Literary Theory and Criticism
- Relationship between Literature, Culture, and Society
- Indian English Literature and the World
- Non-literary Artistic and Cultural Forms
DU MA English Syllabus
The esteemed University of Delhi also offers MA in English. The curriculum of DU revolves around similar lines to that of the one abroad. You will find a few similar subjects as well as a bunch of subjects that will emphasize Indian history and culture. Tabulated below are the main subjects of all four semesters of MA English-
| Semesters | Subjects |
| Semester 1 | -Life, Literature and Culture: Medieval Literature -Life, Literature and Culture: Early Modern World -Classical To Pre Modern Literature -Poetry 1 -Aesthetics and Literature -Politics Literature and Philosophy |
| Semester 2 | -Life, Literature and Culture: 16th and 17th Century -Criticism and Theory -Introduction to the Study of Language -Poetry II -Fiction Literature of the Americas -Dalit Studies |
| Semester 3 | -Life, Literature and Culture in the 18th Century -Life, Literature and Culture in the 19th Century -Postcolonial Literature and Theory -Research Methodology -Criticism and Theory -Gender Studies |
| Semester 4 | -Life, Literature and Culture in the 20th Century -Post-Independence India Literature -Religion and Literature -Dissertation |
IGNOU MA English Syllabus
Indira Gandhi National Open University is known for its detailed course in English. Each IGNOU course has a credit to it that defines the number of hours you need to take to study that course. Here is the IGNOU MA English Syllabus:
IGNOU First Year Syllabus
| Course Code | Course Name |
| MEG-01 | British Poetry |
| MEG-02 | British Drama |
| MEG-03 | British Novel |
| MEG-04 | Aspects of Language |
IGNOU Second Year Syllabus
Compulsory Subject
| MEG-05 | Literary Criticism and Theory |
Optional Subjects- Choose any Three
| MEG-06 | American Literature |
| MEG-07 | Indian English Literature |
| MEG-08 | New Literatures in English |
| MEG-09 | Australian Literature |
| MEG-10 | English Studies in India |
| MEG-11 | American Novel |
| MEG-12 | A Survey Course in 20th Century Canadian Literature |
| MEG-13 | Writings from the Margins |
| MEG-14 | Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation |
| MEG-15 | Comparative Literature: Theory and Practice |
| MEG-16 | Indian Folk Literature |
Download the full Syllabus of IGNOU MA English here.
PU MA English Syllabus
Punjab University has an M.A. English course for all students who have studied English in their bachelor’s degree. The syllabus for PU MA English is:
| Semester | Syllabus |
| Semester I | Greek and Classical Literature Classical Poetry Study Skills 17th Century Poetry 18th Century Novel Elizabethan Drama |
| Semester II | Modern Drama Renaissance and Neoclassical Literature 19th Century Poetry Twentieth-Century Novel Victorian Novel Literary Criticism |
| Semester III | Critical Theory 20th Century Prose American Poetry American Drama American Fiction Research Methodology |
| Semester IV | 20th Century Poetry Post-Colonial Fiction Twentieth-Century Drama Linguistics Literature in English around the World Short Stories Essays |
MA English Syllabus Distance Education
While there are many universities that offer MA English, there are only a few that offer Distance Learning in MA English. Here is a detailed list of universities that offer an MA in English Distance Education.
| College/ University | Course | Fees | Syllabus |
| IGNOU | Masters of English | INR 12,000 | Download Here |
| Lovely Professional University | Masters of Arts (English) | INR 1,40,000 | Download Here |
| Amity University | M.A. English | INR 65,000 | Check Here |
| Annamalai University | M.A. English | INR 5,885 | Download Here |
MA English Books 2023
Covering the vast history of English Literature, an MA in English course imparts students with an in-depth knowledge of different literary eras and periods, classic authors, contemporary writings as well as national and international literature. Here are the best books for MA English:
- Theory of Criticism by Raman Selden
- Piers Plowman by William Langland
- The Book of Margery Kempe
- Paradise Lost by John Milton
- The Oresteia by Aeschylus
- The Nautch Girl by Hasan Shah
- The Ballad of John Henry (Blues Ballad)
- The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle
Top Universities for MA English Abroad
Here are the top universities that offer the best MA English course abroad:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Harvard University
- Brunel University London
- Leiden University
- University of Turin
- The George Washington University
- University of Ottawa
- The University of Melbourne
- Trinity College Dublin
- Texas State University
- University of Connecticut
- Université Paris Sciences Et Lettres
- Bilkent University
- University of Tsukuba
- Queen Margaret University
Top Universities for MA English India
With scores of students pursuing a career in Functional English or other related avenues, colleges and universities across the world, including India have started offering MA English programs. Glance through the following table to know the names of the institutes providing the course:
- University of Delhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Christ University
- Jamia Milia Islamia
- Hyderabad Central University
- Loyola College
- Presidency University
- Fergusson College, University of Pune
- Jadavpur University
- Indraprastha College for Women
MA English Career Scope
An MA in English degree paves the way for a wide range of career opportunities in a variety of fields. Here are the job roles you can apply for after an MA in English:
- Lecturer
- Anchor
- Editor
- Writer
- Publicist
- Copywriter
- Social worker
- Librarian
- Journalist
- Content Writer
- Lexicographer
FAQs
MA English can be a 1-2 year-long degree program depending upon the country and university one plans to join. Usually, a 2-year course consists of 16 core subjects spanned over 4 semesters.
Master of Arts is a specialized degree focusing on the humanities or art specific courses with a duration of 1 to 2 years. MA in English is a masters degree focusing on Literature studies.
There are a plethora of renowned universities that offer this prestigious course, enlisted below are some of them with different MA admission process:
–University of Oxford
–University of Cambridge
–Harvard University
–Brunel University London
–Leiden University
–University of Turin
–The George Washington University
–University of Ottawa
–The University of Melbourne
–Trinity College Dublin
–Texas State University
–University of Connecticut
–Université Paris Sciences Et Lettres
–Bilkent University
–University of Tsukuba
–Queen Margaret University
We hope that this article on MA English Syllabus helped you explore the subjects you will be studying during the duration of this course. If you are planning to discover the vast history of English literature and writings through an in-depth postgraduate degree, Leverage Edu experts can help you find an ideal university to pursue this course as well as help you with the admission process.
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