/ Postgraduate Taught /

Children's Literature (Distance Learning)

MA/PGDip

Start date:

September 2024

Duration: 

2 years (part-time)

 

Number of credits:

MA: 180

PGDip: 120

It all starts here. This unique course allows you to study children's literature in an online, flexible and part-time format from wherever you are in the world.

Did you know?

Roehampton is ranked top ten in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2022, 2023).

Modules

Level 7
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Skills

Gain the expertise you need to standout in today’s literary world.  

On our MA Children's Literature (Distance Learning) our priority is exploring the exciting and varied world of children's literature, and examining how texts aimed at young people convey and challenge ideas about childhood. You will:

  • Start to think about children’s literature in new ways.
  • Be introduced to essential critical approaches, from postcolonial theory, psychoanalysis, and reader-response criticism, to new ideas about the child, power and ethics.
  • Study a selection of fairy tales, picture books and short stories, including classics, contemporary and innovative texts.

Through this programme you will become a member of the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature (NCRCL), regarded as the premier institution for children's literature research in Britain. The NCRCL has close links with organisations that work to further the study and teaching of children's literature, including The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), Seven Stories (The National Centre for Children's Books), and Booktrust. The University is also the exclusive Creative Partner of Barnes Children's Literature Festival, London’s largest event dedicated to children's writing. You can stay up-to-date with the NCRCL by following their blog.

Learning

Choose a course that fits around your life.

As a distance learner you will have:

  • Support from the Department
  • Regular contact with your tutors
  • Access to specialist services
  • Use of a wide range of e-books and digitised items from the Children's Literature Collection at the University Library which contains 3,000 critical, theoretical, bibliographical and reference works and approximately 40 specialist children's literature journals

 

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The programme is taught through a mixture of independent study, tutor feedback, and peer support. You will have access to an online learning environment, allowing you to work with digital materials, watch video lectures, and engage in learning activities.

You will have the chance to discuss ideas with other students through discussion boards and interact with your tutor in online seminars. At the end of each module, you will complete a piece of coursework, usually an essay, to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.

Careers

With your degree, you'll be ready for new and exciting adventures.

Graduates of MA Children's typically pursue careers in:

  • Teaching
  • Writing
  • Children's publishing
  • Librarianship
  • Arts management

Additionally, a Creative Writing Pathway has been designed for those with an ambition to write for children, allowing you to study writing from a practitioner's perspective. 

Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers.

Open days

Get a real taste of our campus, community and what it’s like to study at Roehampton

Applying

UK Students International Students

UK postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.

Specific entry requirements

A good second-class honours degree in English Literature, or a combined honours of English Literature plus another subject. If you have a degree in another discipline, please provide evidence of literary studies in your transcript or personal statement.

September 2024 entry tuition fees

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our 2024 financial support pages for UK students.

We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including free buses and on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.

International postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.

Specific entry requirements

A good second-class honours degree in English Literature, or a combined honours of English Literature plus another subject. If you have a degree in another discipline, please provide evidence of literary studies in your transcript or personal statement.

September 2024 entry tuition fees

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our 2024 financial support pages for international students.

We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including free buses and on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.

Need help or advice before applying?

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