Master of Letters
Encyclopedia
The Master of Letters is a postgraduate degree.
research degree and is usually placed higher in the hierarchy; starting with degrees such as the Master of Arts
(MA) and Master of Science
(MSc), then Master of Philosophy, and finally Master of Letters.
Students attending English Universities may apply for an MLitt in the first instance; for others who have completed two years of a Doctorate (PhD
) and who do not wish to, or cannot, continue with the final year(s), there is the option to write up their completed research so far and graduate with an MLitt(R).
The MLitt is awarded within Scottish Universities on its own merit on the basis of a one year taught or research course of postgraduate study rather than as a sub-PhD compensatory alternative as in the English model.
The Scottish Universities;University of St Andrews
, University of Aberdeen
, University of Glasgow
, as well as University of Stirling
as example, all award one year MLitt taught postgraduate degrees. In addition the University of Aberdeen also awards a one year MLitt by research.
The University of Edinburgh
normally offers the degree of MSc for a one year taught postgraduate degree and offers either an MLitt or Master of Philosophy over two years by research.
In all cases, the MLitt is usually awarded in Arts
, Divinity
, Fine Art
, Humanities
, or Social Sciences
.
Ireland offers MLitt degrees across the Human Sciences/ Arts. Often students register initially for the MLitt programme before being 'promoted' to PhD studies. Different schools and institutes have different requirements for an MLitt. Generally a number of seminars in the relevant area need to be completed as well as the substantial disseration researched and written over the period of 4 semesters (6 part-time).
offers the degree for the advanced study of English and writing beyond the Master of Arts through its Bread Loaf School of English
; Drew University
offers it as an intermediate degree in its Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) program, an interdisciplinary Humanities program in scholarly writing (the only earned/non-honorary Doctor of Letters degree in the US). Mary Baldwin College
awards a unique M.Litt. degree requiring two years of study for in-depth research in Shakespeare and Performance, which it offers as an intermediate degree in its three-year MFA
program. Oxford Graduate School
in Tennessee offers an M.Litt. degree in Family Life Education and Organizational Leadership. Sewanee: The University of the South also offers an M Litt. degree in English.
United Kingdom
The MLitt is a postgraduate degree awarded by a select few British and Irish universities, predominantly within the ancient English and Scottish universities.England
Within the English University system MLitts are not universally offered, either by institution or by discipline. An MLitt is effectively a Masters by research, where an MA is a taught Masters. An MLitt may be awarded as an alternative to the Master of PhilosophyMaster of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...
research degree and is usually placed higher in the hierarchy; starting with degrees such as the Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(MA) and Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
(MSc), then Master of Philosophy, and finally Master of Letters.
Students attending English Universities may apply for an MLitt in the first instance; for others who have completed two years of a Doctorate (PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
) and who do not wish to, or cannot, continue with the final year(s), there is the option to write up their completed research so far and graduate with an MLitt(R).
Scotland
Within the Scottish University system the MLitt is awarded either as a one year taught postgraduate degree during which students study three/four taught components, sit examinations on those components (or complete assessed coursework) and successfully submit a dissertation (generally between 15,000 and 18,000 words) or as a one year degree by research in Arts subjects having successfully submitted a dissertation of between 35,000 and 40,000 words.The MLitt is awarded within Scottish Universities on its own merit on the basis of a one year taught or research course of postgraduate study rather than as a sub-PhD compensatory alternative as in the English model.
The Scottish Universities;University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, as well as University of Stirling
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
as example, all award one year MLitt taught postgraduate degrees. In addition the University of Aberdeen also awards a one year MLitt by research.
The University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
normally offers the degree of MSc for a one year taught postgraduate degree and offers either an MLitt or Master of Philosophy over two years by research.
In all cases, the MLitt is usually awarded in Arts
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
, Divinity
Divinity (academic discipline)
Divinity is the study of Christian and other theology and ministry at a school, divinity school, university, or seminary. The term is sometimes a synonym for theology as an academic, speculative pursuit, and sometimes is used for the study of applied theology and ministry to make a distinction...
, Fine Art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
, Humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
, or Social Sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
.
Republic of Ireland
The National University of IrelandNational University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
Ireland offers MLitt degrees across the Human Sciences/ Arts. Often students register initially for the MLitt programme before being 'promoted' to PhD studies. Different schools and institutes have different requirements for an MLitt. Generally a number of seminars in the relevant area need to be completed as well as the substantial disseration researched and written over the period of 4 semesters (6 part-time).
United States
The M.Litt. is awarded by at least five schools in the United States. Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
offers the degree for the advanced study of English and writing beyond the Master of Arts through its Bread Loaf School of English
Bread Loaf School of English
The Bread Loaf School of English is the graduate school of English at Middlebury College. The School offers graduate courses in literature, creative writing, the teaching of writing, and theater. Classes are held for six weeks each summer. The School awards two degrees...
; Drew University
Drew University
Drew University is a private university located in Madison, New Jersey.Originally established as the Drew Theological Seminary in 1867, the university later expanded to include an undergraduate liberal arts college in 1928 and commenced a program of graduate studies in 1955...
offers it as an intermediate degree in its Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) program, an interdisciplinary Humanities program in scholarly writing (the only earned/non-honorary Doctor of Letters degree in the US). Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College is a private, independent, and comprehensive four-year liberal arts women's college in Staunton, Virginia. It was ranked in 2008 by US News & World Report as a top-tier, master's level university in the South. Mary Baldwin offers pre-professional programs in law, medicine,...
awards a unique M.Litt. degree requiring two years of study for in-depth research in Shakespeare and Performance, which it offers as an intermediate degree in its three-year MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
program. Oxford Graduate School
Oxford Graduate School
Oxford Graduate School is a graduate school founded in 1980 in Crystal Springs Tennessee, focused on integrating faith with traditional educational and professional disciplines. Oxford Graduate School is an accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools...
in Tennessee offers an M.Litt. degree in Family Life Education and Organizational Leadership. Sewanee: The University of the South also offers an M Litt. degree in English.