Direct answer
For the 2026/27 academic year, Goldsmiths, University of London requires applicants to its MA Critical and Creative Studies in Literature to hold (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of upper second class or high second class standard in a relevant or related subject. Applicants with relevant experience who can demonstrate the ability to work at postgraduate level may also be considered. If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5, or an equivalent English language qualification.
The programme page does not publish a separate entry requirement table for Chinese qualifications. It states that Goldsmiths accepts a wide range of international qualifications and directs applicants to the university’s international qualifications page for country-specific equivalences.
Programme overview
This is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time MA that combines critical literary study with creative writing practice. You select from core literary areas such as Modern and Contemporary American Literature and Culture, Critical Theory, Modern and Contemporary Literature, and Romantic, Victorian, and Decadent Literature and Culture. In the second term, you specialise further through topics such as US science fiction, literature and philosophy, modern and contemporary women’s writing, decadent literature, Jane Austen, and Indigenous literatures, subject to availability.
A specialist workshop in an aspect of creative and life writing runs alongside the critical modules. The programme concludes with a final critical or creative project, which can take the form of a traditional dissertation or a creative-critical project combining original creative work with critical commentary.
Academic entry requirements
The official course page states: “You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of upper second class or high second class standard in a relevant/related subject. You might also be considered if you have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.”
No separate grade or percentage requirement for Chinese bachelor’s degrees is listed on this page. The university directs applicants to its international qualifications page for equivalences. The page does not state that a specific Chinese qualification automatically satisfies the requirement, nor does it publish a conversion scale for Chinese degree classifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5. Equivalent English language qualifications are also accepted. The page links to a list of equivalent qualifications and to pre-sessional English courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
Applications are made directly to Goldsmiths through the university’s online application system. Before submitting your application, you need to have details of your academic qualifications, the email address of your referee or a copy of your academic reference, copies of your educational transcripts or certificates, and a personal statement. The page provides guidance on writing a postgraduate statement.
Applications open in October for students wanting to start the following September. There is no fixed deadline for submitting an online application. The university encourages you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you have not finished your current programme of study. Conditional offers are common. If you are applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
Selection process
As part of the selection process, you may be invited to an online or in-person interview. The page notes that occasionally candidates receive an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Tuition fees for 2026/27
The international full-time fee is £21,000. Home full-time is £10,800 and home part-time is £5,400. The page states that it is not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while on another visa type, you should contact the Admissions Team for more information.
What the official page does not establish
The programme page does not publish a China-specific entry requirement. The exact equivalence between a Chinese bachelor’s degree classification or GPA and the stated UK upper second class standard is not detailed on this page. The page directs you to the university’s international qualifications section for that information. The page also does not list any country-specific application quotas, acceptance rates, or scholarship guarantees for Chinese applicants. The scholarships finder tool is linked, but no China-specific award is described on this page.
FAQ
What UK degree classification is required for this MA?
The programme page states you should have an undergraduate degree of upper second class or high second class standard in a relevant or related subject.
Can I apply without a degree in literature?
The page says you might be considered if you have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. It does not list specific types of experience that qualify.
What is the IELTS requirement for this programme?
You need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5. Equivalent English language qualifications are also accepted.
Is there an application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline for submitting an online application. The university encourages early application. If you are applying for funding, you may be subject to a deadline.
Can international students study part-time?
The page states it is not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you hold another visa type, you should contact the Admissions Team for more information.
Does the programme include a creative writing component?
Yes. A specialist workshop in an aspect of creative and life writing is a compulsory 30-credit module. The final project can also be a creative-critical project combining original creative work with critical commentary.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn from the official Goldsmiths, University of London programme page for MA Critical and Creative Studies in Literature, accessed for the 2026/27 academic year: https://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/ma-literary-studies/.
For broader context on studying in the UK, you may find these resources useful: information on Northumbria University Newcastle for 2026, guidance on free education agents for Australia, an overview of free education agents generally, and a discussion of refund policies for unsuccessful applications.