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Postgraduate teaching

On-site postgraduate programmes in children's literature

MA/PGDip Children's Literature

Distance learning postgraduate programmes in children's literature

MA/PGDip Children's Literature (Distance Learning)

Testimonials

External examiners

‘This degree remains the benchmark for the subject, nationally and internationally; it is the most robust of the UK HE courses’, Professor Peter Hunt, 2005/06.

‘This is a programme which is delivering at the highest standard both intellectually and professionally’, Professor Jean Webb, 2004/05.

‘NCRCL….is rightly regarded as the premier institution for children’s literature research in Britain’, Professor Emer O’Sullivan, 2001/02.

Students

Lara Antonelli (graduated 2005)

"From my own experience and how I used to study at university in Italy, I can say that the MA opened my mind towards free thinking. For the first time I felt I could open up my mind and free my thoughts, without following a rigid frame set up by 'the professors', and that my thoughts were actually not stupid and irrelevant thoughts, but part of a bigger picture which was taking shape by the contributions of both the lecturer and the students…from an international point of view, the course is essential, practical, inspiring and most of all respectful of students' opinions...That is what really impressed me since not everywhere is like that!"

Nadia Crandall (graduated 2004) 

"I was ready to get back to work after a challenging first career in finance, and after spending time at home with my children. An MA in Children's Literature which incorporated a creative writing module was an ideal choice for me since I write children's fiction, and have always enjoyed academic debate. The course itself was interesting and fun, and challenged me far more than I had expected. What made it really worthwhile though, was the opportunity to meet so many interesting and committed people, from the tutors who were friendly, supportive and accessible, to fellow students, writers, publishers, librarians and booksellers. 

The MA has been invaluable in providing a direction and focus for a second career. Within a year of graduating, I will have contributed several articles and chapters to the body of academic literature, spoken at international conferences, and worked as a freelance journalist in the field. Through my dissertation I have been able to develop publishing contacts which have led to ongoing discussions of several proposals for children's fiction, and I am actively involved in a children's book committee which offers tremendous insight into the UK publishing industry. Over the next several months, I hope to finalise a proposal for a PhD in creative writing for children."

Nikki Brice (Distance Learning student)

Compared to my time reading English Literature as an undergraduate, my legal career seemed dry and rather soulless and I was searching for a part time course in Literature. I had gained a brief overview of the study of Children's Literature on my undergraduate degree course and the subject had  captured my imagination. Like most of my fellow students I had read many of the texts as a child, but had never considered them as an adult. It was fascinating to revisit the well-loved books of my childhood, only this time considering such issues as the politics of the literature and the fluid construction of the idea of the child. I was aware of Roehampton's enviable reputation in the field of Children's Literature and I was delighted when I found that their MA course was offered on a part time basis and through distance learning. With no set classes, some discipline is required to set the pace of your own studies but such flexibility is a huge advantage to anyone trying to complete the course alongside a full time job. Tutors are friendly, approachable and easily contactable by phone or email. The course itself is very challenging but extremely rewarding. I would highly recommend it!

Undergraduate teaching

NCRCL staff are all members of the English programme and, as such, contribute to a number of undergraduate modules on the BA programme in English Literature. Dr Lisa Sainsbury is also involved with the Creative Writing programme and offers a module on Writing for Children.

Details of individual modules are listed below.

Literature And Childhood

ENGO1OC620S
Module Convenor: Dr Liz Thiel

Email: L.Thiel@roehampton.ac.uk

A first-year module which explores the changing constructions of childhood in children’s and adult literature. Students study texts such as: Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, Nina Bawden’s Carrie’s War and Henry James' What Maisie Knew.  

Origins And Developments Of Children’s Literature

ENG020N294A
Module convener: Dr Liz Thiel
Email: L.Thiel@roehampton.ac.uk

A second-year module which explores early children’s literature from 1744 through to the 1940s. Students study texts such as: Thomas Hughes’ Tom Brown’s Schooldays; RL Stevenson’s Treasure Island and LM Alcott’s Little Women.

Subversive Children’s Literature

ENG020X352S

Module convener: Dr Liz Thiel
Email: L.Thiel@roehampton.ac.uk

A third-year module which explores the ways in which a number contemporary books for children can be seen to challenge prevalent constructions of childhood. You will study texts such as: The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.

Creative Writing for Children

CRW 020N203
Module convener: Dr Lisa Sainsbury
Email: L.Sainsbury@roehampton.ac.uk

This module aims to demonstrate some of the particular conditions of writing for children. Children’s literature is unique in that it is defined through its audience and this relationship between the (usually) adult author and child audience throws up a range of issues, some of which are addressed during this module through the technical discussion of narrative, workshop exercises/discussion, assignments and individual tutorials. Children’s literature is a large and complex field and thus we are not able to address issues relevant to every aspect of this field, which takes in nursery rhymes for infants and sophisticated novels for adolescents. The focus of this module, therefore, is on technical aspects of the field that are widely relevant, such as implied readership, narrative relationships, didacticism and language.