MA Studies in Literature

Applying for an MA program -- Instructions

First, read the information on this page about our different MA programs in literature, including the degrees in English with a focus on creative writing and literary translation.

After choosing which program you wish to apply to, please follow the relevant instructions below in order to contact our program coordinators.

Before your application can go to the Bar-Ilan University MA committee, it needs to be approved by the English Department. Therefore, you must contact us first.

The Graduate Committee in Literature will review your application and decide whether to accept you and whether you need to take additional background courses (hashlamot).

Please note: We offer a concentration of graduate courses on Wednesday, to accommodate our students' work schedules. However, if you do not have a university degree in English literature, you will probably be asked to take several undergraduate courses (taught on Monday and Wednesday) before you can be formally accepted as an MA student. Applicants whose BA degree is not in English literature should therefore expect to take classes on both Mon and Wed during their first year.

Applying for an MA in Literary Studies

• Applicants for the MA in Literary Studies must have a BA degree with a grade average of 85 and up. 
• Applicants whose BA is not in English literature should expect to be assigned pre-requisite courses from our BA program (hashlamot). The number of pre-requisites and the specific courses will be determined by the Graduate Committee, based on your previous studies. 

If you wish to apply to this program, please do the following: 

• Apply in writing to the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Yael Shapira (shapira.yael@biu.ac.il) with a copy to the secretary for graduate studies. Mrs. Channa Redner (rednerc@mail.biu.ac.il). Your application should include the following

1. Documentation for your previous academic degrees, including transcripts of your grades.
2. A separate list of all the courses you've taken in English and American literature, with grades.
3. A writing sample of an academic essay in English -- preferably on a topic in literature.
4. A short (up to one page) statement of purpose explaining why you want to pursue a graduate degree in English.
5. An up-to-date curriculum vitae.

Applying for an MA in Literature - Focus on Creative Writing

If you wish to apply for the MA in English with a focus on Creative Writing, follow the instructions on this page.

Applying for an MA in Literature - Focus on Literary Translation

If you wish to apply for the MA in English with a focus on Literary Translation, please contact Prof. Evan Fallenberg (littransbarilan@gmail.com). Your application should include the following:

1. Documentation for your previous academic degrees, including transcripts of your grades.
2. A separate list of all the courses you've taken in English and American literature, with grades.
3. A writing sample in English (can be a university paper, creative writing piece, or translation into English of a short literary text)
4. A short (up to one page) statement of purpose explaining why you want to be admitted to this program.

About Our MA Programs

Our MA Programs -- Overview

The English Department at Bar-Ilan University offers a range of possibilities for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in English literature. Our MA in literature gives students a chance to expand their knowledge of English and American literature and develop high-level academic writing and research skills. The Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers an MA in English for writers of poetry and fiction, and we now also offer a new MA in English literature with a focus on literary translation. Graduate seminars in Literary Translation are open to all graduate students on the basis of availability. Students may also apply for acception to create writing workshops (subject to approval by the instructor, based on availability and the student's qualifications). 

MA in Literature - Thesis Track

This is the program for students who want to take some new and exciting courses and then do independent research in literature.

This is the M.A. program for you if you want to leave open the possibility of continuing beyond the M.A. to a Ph.D. degree at some time in the future.

A student who wishes to write a thesis should let the graduate coordinator know in the course of the first semester. The department's Graduate Committee will review the student’s progress to decide whether s/he should proceed to a research thesis or pursue the M.A. through the Extended Studies Track. A grade average of 85 is required in order for a student to be considered for the Thesis Track, but the decision is not made on the basis of grades alone.

For more information about the thesis track, click here.

To learn about the research that some of our M.A. and Ph.D. students are conducting, click here.

MA in Literature - Extended Studies Track

This is the right program for students who prefer to study a wide array of topics and enjoy the stimulation of interaction with other students and teachers in courses, rather than embark on a large-scale project of independent research and writing. It is also the track for those who don't expect to pursue a doctoral degree in the future. Students in this track take a broader selection of courses and write a variety of papers in order to complete their degree requirements.

For more information, click here.

Please note: an MA in the Extended Studies track is a terminal degree and does not allow the student to apply for Ph.D. studies.

requirements

MA in Literature With a Focus on Creative Writing

If you have a B.A. in literature, or in any other field, and are interested in a program that combines practical training to develop your skills as a creative writer with graduate level courses in English and American literature, you might want to apply to the Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Our team of published, award-winning writers offer workshops in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction, which students take in combination with advanced literature seminars. Applicants need must present a portfolio of their work in poetry or in prose fiction with their application. See the program's website for details.

Please note: an MA with a focus on Creative Writing is a terminal degree and does not allow the student to apply for Ph.D. studies.

requirements:  poetry/fiction
 

MA in Literature With a Focus on Literary Translation

The Bar-Ilan English Department is now offering a unique MA program in English literature with a focus on literary translation. Students accepted into this program will combine high-level study of English literature with workshops in literary translation and write a translation thesis as their final project. For information on admissions and requirements, click here or write to littransbarilan@gmail.com.

Please note: an MA with a focus on Literary Translation is a terminal degree and does not allow the student to apply for Ph.D. studies.

Direct MA (with Thesis)

The university's direct MA program allows high-performing students to acquire two degrees – the B.A. and an M.A. with a thesis – in five years. Students interested in this option can inquire at the office about their eligibility at the end of their first year of BA studies.

However, note that the direct M.A. degree is actually a contract with the university to finish in the time allotted. Don't consider entering one of these programs unless you can devote yourself virtually full time to your studies. The university is very strict about the completion deadline of the direct MA program, and extensions are usually not granted. We therefore do not recommend this track for the majority of our students.

The literature program does not offer a direct M.A in the Extended Studies Track.

 requirements:  cw poetry / cw fiction