MA in English Literature (.M.A)

עברית
MAEnglishLit

What will you study, and why should you study at Bar-Ilan?

.M.A

The Department of  English Literature & Linguistics at Bar-Ilan University
offers a range of possibilities for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in English literature.

Our Master's degree in English 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 a Master's degree in English Literature for writers of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and literary translation. 

Master's degree in English Literature students in the thesis track must write two long papers (approx. 17-20 pages) in their seminars. The rest can be short papers. The students themselves will choose the seminars in which they want to write long papers. It is hoped, but not required, that one of these papers will be suitable for expansion into a thesis.

Non-Thesis Track

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This Master's degree in English Literature program offers an opportunity to study English and American literature at a high level and in a wide range of historical and theoretical contexts. Students also have the unique opportunity to combine literary studies with courses in literary translation and/or creative writing.

Students in this track take a broad selection of courses and write a variety of papers in order to complete their degree requirements. The course requirements for this track are:

 

Thesis Track

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This Master's degree in English Literature track is intended for students with a high degree of skill in critical writing, and allows them to conduct independent research. Students in this track take a smaller number of courses than in the non-thesis Master's degree in English Literature track and then write an MA thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. An MA thesis may then serve as the basis for an application to a PhD program.

All Master's degree students in English Literature are automatically accepted to the non-thesis track. Students who wish to switch to the thesis track may apply to do so at the end of the first year by writing to the graduate coordinators, Dr. Carra Glatt and Prof. William Kolbrener. The department's Graduate Committee will review the student’s progress to decide whether they will be allowed to proceed to a research thesis program. The decision will be based on the student's level of academic writing.

Students in the thesis track are required to complete the following:

This Master's degree in English Literature program offers an opportunity to study English and American literature at a high level and in a wide range of historical and theoretical contexts. Students also have the unique opportunity to combine literary studies with courses in literary translation and/or creative writing.

  • Applying to our MA Programs in English Literature Programs

  • English Literature MA program Entry requirements: A BA grade point average of 85 is a required minimum for students who wish to be accepted into the MA in English Literature Programs. Please note that acceptance decisions are not based on grades alone but on the student's overall academic ability and writing skills.
  • MA in English Literature Prerequisite studies: Students applying for admission to the MA in English Literature programs must hold a BA degree, preferably in English literature. English Literature MA applicants whose BA is not in English literature will be asked to complete a number of prerequisite courses (hashlamot) in English and American literature before they can be officially accepted to the MA in English Literature Programs.
  • Prerequisite course programs (hashlamot) are assigned by the program coordinator and must be approved by the University MA Committee. Students doing prerequisite courses must normally earn a grade average of 80 in these courses in order to be accepted to the Department as full students in the English Literature MA programs.
  • Please note: We offer a concentration of graduate courses on Mondays and Wednesdays (or Tuesday for Creative Writing students), to accommodate our students' work schedules.

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  • How to Apply for the MA in English Literature

  • Important Notice: Before your application can go to the Bar-Ilan University MA committee, it must first be approved by the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. Those who register through the university first who are later rejected by the department will not be refunded the initial registration fee. Therefore, please be sure to contact us before applying through the university's general online system.
  • Applications for the MA in English Literature programs are submitted through the Slideroom platform.
  • Step One - Apply to the English Literature Program via the Slideroom website using the link below.

    Apply here >>
  • You will need to have all of the following materials prepared for uploading to the system:
  • Documentation for your previous academic degrees, including transcripts of your grades.
  • A writing sample of an academic essay in English -- preferably on a topic in literature.
  • A short (up to one page) statement of purpose explaining why you want to pursue a graduate degree in English Literature.
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
  • Step Two - Should you receive a notice from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics recommending your acceptance to English Literature MA program, you must then apply though the university's general online system. You can do so by filling out this form in English and can pay the application fee here.

  • NOTE : Under the section called "Maslul Limudim", be sure to fill in the appropriate English Literature MA track- this is the track that you were accepted to via email from the department.

    Last day to apply for the MA in English Literature programs through the department: October 10, 2025

    Last day to apply for the MA in English Literature programs through the university's online registration: October 15, 2025

    Applying for an MA in English Literature - Focus on Creative Writing

  • If you wish to apply for the MA in English Literature with a focus on Creative Writing, follow the instructions on this page.
If you have any questions related to the English Literature MA programs at Bar-Ilan University, you may contact the English department office or the graduate coordinator Dr. Carra Glatt.

37829- Literary Conversations: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English Literature
37919- Advanced Academic Reading and Writing

Elective courses and Seminars varies every year.

Last Updated Date : 07/12/2025