Childrens Literature (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.)

Course Overview

This taught Masters programme in Children’s Literature encompasses everything from picturebooks through to Young Adult fiction and runs on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) basis. It examines the complexities of children’s texts; explores multiple genres, readerships, publishing trends and modes of criticism; pays particular attention to issues of diversity and inclusion; and covers a huge body of English-language literature from around the world, from four-hundred-year-old texts to the latest publications. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend a whole year (or two!) reading, researching, and debating children’s literature at Trinity College, right in the heart of Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature.

Applicants should have a good honours degree (at least an upper second or a GPA of at least 3.3). A sample of the candidate’s own critical writing (3,000-5,000 words) is also required.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

Students of different nationalities and backgrounds and disciplines have successfully completed the programme since it was established in 2011. The programme facilitates intellectual and creative development and provides students with valuable transferrable skills, particularly in terms of critical thinking, writing, presenting, and constructing persuasive arguments. Throughout the programme, we will encourage students to immerse themselves in the literary communities of Trinity, of Dublin, and of the island Ireland; to network and connect with the multiple arts and cultural organisations in the city; to step inside the amazing libraries and archives on our doorstep; and to bring their expert knowledge of children’s literature to the wider world. Many graduates have successful careers in areas such as editing, publishing, arts management, journalism, curation, teaching, librarianship, and academia. Several alumni are published authors of texts for children.