Cultural Studies MA

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of classroom modules and supervisor-supported independent study. Lectures are used to impart the core contextual knowledge essential to each component of the course. Analysis, problem solving skills, and the application of knowledge to your studies are all developed through interactive seminars and workshops.  

Contact time

In a typical week, a full-time student will have around 6 to 9 contact hours of teaching, and part-time student around 3 to 6 hours. The precise contact hours will depend on the timetabling of modules and is variable. For example, the "Research Approaches in the Humanities and Arts" module is taught in two intensive six-week blocks in semesters 1 and 2 and is therefore not always in session.

In semesters 1 and 2, full-time students will typically study three modules at a given time, and part-time students two modules. Students on both full-time and part-time routes will undertake the final dissertation over the ‘third semester’, between May and September. Regular campus-based and remote supervision will be available during this time.

Independent self-study

In addition to direct contact time, full-time students will be expected to undertake around 30 hours of personal self-study per week; for part-time students, the expectation is reduced in proportion to the amount of credit they are taking at a given time. Typically, this will involve guided reading and research, and/or writing; the Digital Editing Project and Professional Development modules will entail other forms of independent work, such as use of online databases and editing tools, and external liaison and networking respectively.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including The Hive university and public library, module Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), and digital learning resources.

Duration

• Full-time: Around 13 months, from early September, to late September of the following year
• Part-time: Around 23 months

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching staff

The MA Cultural Studies course is planned and delivered by an extended teaching team in combination with MA English, and therefore draws on a wide range of expertise. Teaching staff have both doctoral research qualifications and accreditation of the Higher Education Academy to at least Fellowship level. The core team will be supplemented on occasion by Visiting Lecturers with specific expertise to enhance provision.

Details of the core teaching team, their qualifications and experience, can be found in the course handbook and on the School of Humanities web pages.

Assessment

A full outline of assessment methods and weightings, mapped against Learning Outcomes, grade descriptors, and assessment dates is published in the MA course handbook with further, specific details included in module guides. The course team are committed to a policy of timely and consistent feedback.  

You will have opportunities to receive formative feedback in the classroom through seminar activities including quizzes and debates. They will also be able to attend assignment workshops and 1-2-1 tutorials to receive formative feedback on assignment plans. In HUMS4012, you will have the opportunity to respond to a weekly discussion forum where themes and topics can be discussed before submission of a summative assignment. 

Feedback

You will receive detailed feedback on both formative and summative assessments. Feedback is intended to support learning, and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We will provide you with feedback on formal coursework assessments 20 working days after submission.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and how these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.