Programme description for Master's Programme in English (2024–2026)

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

Knowledge: Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates, depending on their specialty will have acquired

• in-depth knowledge of English literature and linguistics in a cultural and communicative context

• in-depth knowledge of important literary and linguistic theories, methods and issues

• general knowledge of English as an academic subject, its history and traditions

 Skills: Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates have acquired

• advanced oral and written proficiency in English

• the ability to analyse complex literary/cultural and linguistic topics in a critical and independent manner

• the ability to analyse thematic and aesthetic features of texts from different genres

• the ability to apply central literary and linguistic concepts, methods and theories

• the ability to carry out independent research under supervision, and in line with ethical standards for research

General competence: Upon completion of the programme, graduates can

• understand and analyze academic problems and their ethical implications

• extend their academic competence into new areas

• contribute to new and interesting ways of approaching literature/culture studies and linguistics

Structure and content

Admission requirements

The general admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent education of a minimum of three years duration (180 ECTS credits).

According to the admission criteria, the major must include a minimum of 80 ECST credits in English. At least 20 credits must be in linguistic courses, and at least 20 credits must be in literature. At least 20 credits must be on the supplementary level (Level 2).

Students must have obtained a weighted average grade of C or better for their English major.

Ranking will be based on the average grade in the major.

Furthermore, admission is granted in accordance with the regulations concerning admission to study programmes and courses at the University of Agder, https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia.

Recommended previous knowledge

Very good English language proficiency in written and oral English equivalent to CEFR level C1. 

General description and profile

The programme is aimed at students who have taken English literature and linguistics courses at undergraduate level and are interested in deepening their studies of English. It offers the possibility of taking courses in English literature/culture and/or linguistics and specialising in either literature or linguistics.

A specialisation in English literature will give you insight into important literary works and literary theory. You will learn about different strategies of how to critically approach, interpret and understand literary texts which will help you develop self-confidence and reflection on issues of interpretation. You will also learn about the different kinds of texts, genres, epochs and literary traditions. Topics for a master’s thesis in English literature could be on literary works from North America, Great Britain or literary works written in English from other parts of the world.

The linguistics courses build on what you already have learned about English language structure (e.g. phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax) in your previous studies. Master’s level courses will introduce you to theoretical work that supports proposals about language structure as well as introduce you to new areas in linguistics, e.g. pragmatics, discourse analysis, bilingualism. In addition, the programme includes courses on experimental linguistics which investigate language processing: how it is acquired and used for both monolinguals and bilinguals and provides evidence for or against linguistic theories. You will also learn about methodologies used to test linguistic theories and about data-collection methods that could be useful to you in your thesis project. Experimental MA thesis projects in collaboration with the Experimental Linguistics Lab at UiA focusing on English as a second language are also possible.

The programme totals 120 ECTS credits: 6 courses (totalling 60 ECTS) including one theory/methods course (EN-454 or EN-455) plus a 60-credit master’s thesis.

Specialisation: Students choose to specialise in either literature or linguistics and must have a minimum of 30 credits in one of the areas in order to write a master's thesis in that particular area.

The master's thesis: The master's thesis is a 60-credit thesis (approximately 30,000 words) on a topic in either English literature or linguistics. Students begin their thesis project (EN500) in their second semester. Semesters 3 and 4 are primarily focused on writing their thesis with one 10 credit course taken in semester 3. Alongside regular supervision, students have two formal mileposts during the writing process: The MA poster session in the third semester and the MA thesis feedback seminar in their final semester.

Sustainability goals: The English Master’s programme promotes dialogue and critical thinking about the 17 sustainable developmental goals set forth by the United Nations and, in particular, in relevance to the goals of:

• Good health and well-being (3)

• Quality education (4)

• Peace, justice and strong institutions (16)

These goals are woven into our teaching in a number of ways. Both the goals of quality education (4) and peace, justice and strong institutions (16) are integrally a part of our literature and culture courses which provide insight into our sense of reality, identity and value systems promoting critical thinking. Our linguistic courses, for example, Discourse Analysis, encourage students to think critically about the language used to create and sustain institutions and/or discourses. Students become aware how language often works to exclude members of society from full participation or marginalizes their contributions. The goal of good health and well-being (3) forms part of the Bilingualism course which investigates the relationship between speaking more than one language on cognitive function across the lifespan.

Teaching methods

Teaching takes place primarily in seminars, with active student participation in the form of discussions and oral presentations. Writing skills are trained through compulsory supervised essays and work with the master's thesis. Oral skills are trained through participation in the seminars and oral presentations. The language of instruction is English for all courses.

Assessment methods

Assessment forms vary between written examinations, home examinations, portfolios and term papers. For more information please see individual course descriptions. A final oral examination on the master's thesis is arranged after the master's thesis has been handed in and has received a passing grade.

Internationalization

The English master’s programme is international in content and orientation. Students are exposed to literature from English speaking countries and linguistic theory with a clear international orientation. All teaching is in English, and several faculty members have an international background and are active in international research networks. International students can study the entire programme in English.

Students are encouraged to spend their third semester at a university with which the University of Agder has an exchange agreement. Credits earned at courses abroad may count towards the home degree. Please note that the programme coordinator must approve of all courses taken as part of a study abroad exchange in advance. For more information on exchanges, please consult the faculty website for student exchange possibilities (https://www.uia.no/en/about-uia/faculties/faculty-of-humanities-and-education/studentexchange).

Requirements for continuing in programme

Formal supervision of the thesis starts after a project description has been handed in and approved. Students are required to present a poster of their project as part of the MA thesis writing seminar in the autumn, furthermore all courses on the programme must be successfully completed before thesis submission.

Occupational profiles / further studies

On completion of the English Master's programme, students will have acquired skills that are highly sought after for many different kinds of occupations on the job market, such as, advanced oral and written skills, the ability to carry out independent research and to critically engage with a topic not only with respect to English but in general. The programme provides a basis for working with English in a research capacity and/or within culture, publishing, media, advertising, translation, the Foreign Service and tourism as well as for teaching English literature and language. Degree acquisition can also form a basis for admission to doctoral study programmes in literature or linguistics.

Qualification awarded

Master i engelsk (Master of Arts in English)

Evaluation

Student evaluations are carried out annually in the Study Programme Advisory Committee in accordance with the quality system for education chapter 4.2

Other information

The University of Agder (UiA) encourages increased use of digital tools in its study programmes. The aim is to utilize new forms of communication and to try new arrangements for teaching and academic supervision. Students at UiA will to an increasing extent be using computers in their daily academic work. A transition to digital examinations is an important part of this process. It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d.