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Course information

Department

English and Creative Writing

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Course overview

This MRes prepares you for more advanced research projects at MPhil/PhD level, but is also a degree in its own right. It's ideal if you're considering a 'taster' year of research, or if you're keen to complete shorter term research at graduate level. 

The aim of the MRes is to expand your knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic. You'll carry out independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, and in the context of a structured programme of study.

Before submitting a formal application, please get in contact to discuss the research project you would like to pursue during the MRes programme. Formal applications must be accompanied by a detailed 3-5 page research proposal.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Richard Crownshaw.

Structure

You'll attend the Department's Postgraduate Research Methods series, and either a Research Skills Workshop or a Research Skills series. You'll also be encouraged to attended Methods and Resources day schools that are offered by the Institute of English Studies at Senate House. 

You'll also attend, but not be assessed on, at least one appropriate Masters level module offered in the Department of English and Creative Writing in the first term of study. Your supervisor may advise you to attend selected elements of the module only and to focus on a particular problem within the syllabus. Attending the module will enable you to take part in discussions, and to refine and nuance your understanding of different perspectives on a topic. 

The main focus of the MRes, however, will be on the development of your own research project. Throughout this process you will: 

  • Study in depth and reflect critically upon an aspect of research methods relevant to your dissertation topic, under the guidance of your supervisor
  • Where appropriate, you can choose to write on methodological topics arising from the syllabus of one of the taught Masters level modules
  • Carry out systematic research into the primary, critical and theoretical literature relevant to the dissertation topic, under the guidance of your supervisor
  • Develop an independent dissertation project, under the guidance of a supervisor

Modules

You'll complete the following modules:

Bibliography Exercise

Assessed by one essay of up to 5000 words.
Deadline: January (Full-time); April in your first year (Part-time).

Research Methods

Assessed by one essay of up to 5000 words.
Deadline: February (Full-time); September in your first year (Part-time).

Dissertation

Assessed by a dissertation of up to 30,000 words.
Deadline: September (Full-time and Part-time)

Assessment

The dissertation will account for 80% of your final grade. The remaining 20% of your grade will be assessed through coursework.

Download the programme specification.

Entry requirements

You should normally have a BA in a relevant subject with at least a clear upper second class result. If it’s in an unrelated field, you may be considered subject to qualifying interview/submission of sample essays.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £8430
  • Home - part-time: £4215
  • International - full-time: £17690

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you'll need to have: 

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • Contact details of a second referee
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

          Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
  • Details of your research proposal

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Before you apply for the programme, we advise you to get in touch with the programme contact listed above. It may also be possible to arrange an advisory meeting.

Before you start at Goldsmiths, the actual topic of your research has to be agreed with your proposed supervisor, who will be a member of staff active in your general field of research. The choice of topic may be influenced by the current research in the department or the requirements of an external funding body. 

If you wish to study on a part-time basis, you should also indicate how many hours a week you intend to devote to research, whether this will be at evenings or weekends, and for how many hours each day.

Research proposals

Along with your application and academic reference, you should also upload a research proposal at the point of application. 

This should be in the form of a statement of the proposed area of research and should include: 

  • delineation of the research topic
  • why it has been chosen
  • an initial hypothesis (if applicable)
  • a brief list of major secondary sources

When to apply 

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

If you're applying for external funding you may be subject to an application deadline. 

Selection process 

If the subject you are applying to research is in an unrelated field, you may be considered subject to qualifying interview/submission of sample essays.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Skills

This programme will enable you to develop transferable skills, including:

  • enhanced communication and discussion skills in written and oral contexts
  • the ability to analyse and evaluate different textual materials
  • the ability to organise information
  • the ability to assimilate and evaluate competing arguments

Careers

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in publishing, journalism, public relations, teaching, advertising, the civil service, business, industry, the media.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

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