Literary study is socially relevant: from the medieval to the modern, it maps the forces which divide and unite people. English is the global language of cultural exchange and experiment.
The themes of conflict and co-operation are at the core
of the Master's track in English Literature and Culture, a
programme that allows students a broad choice from a range of
modules drawing on the full historical and geographical sweep of
literatures in English.
It is a key tenet of the track that the academic study of English
literature can be used to reflect on the ways that people - as
individuals and as groups - interact with one another, and that it
provides a catalyst for insight into contemporary social debates.
Literature captures the separation and the solidarity of its
writers and audiences in a manner particular to itself: it is a
multidisciplinary practice that is as various as the texts it
studies. The programme's core themes of conflict and co-operation
are linked to sustainable society, a research priority of
the university.
For more information see: English Language & Culture.
From 2014 to 2017 I was a Bachelor student here at the University of Groningen in the English Language and Culture programme. I decided to continue with a Master’s programme in English Literature, because the skills I acquired while studying literature in context, and analysing texts closely, have proven useful in a broad variety of situations. I was eager to continue to develop literary interpretative skills, and to continue studying topics that I had really enjoyed in my Bachelor programme.
The Master’s programme allows students to choose topics that will help them research the historical periods or themes which appeal to them in a lot of depth. If you enjoy studying in your favourite chair with an intriguing text in your lap, then this is the study for you. Courses often include around three hours of interactive classes each per week, and the reading and assignments are mostly done outside of class. If I had to summarise my Master’s programme in three words, I would say that it is compelling, challenging, and satisfying.
I chose the University of Groningen because Groningen is a beautiful, open, and social city, one where I feel right at home. Luckily, the literary studies at the University of Groningen always do really well in university rankings, so this made my decision very easy. The English department is a very welcoming one, and the teachers are not only experts in many interesting fields, they are also very kind and open. For all these reasons I would without any doubts recommend my Master’s programme to others.