Master of Letters

The Master of Letters (MLitt from the Latin Magister Litterarum) is a postgraduate degree.

United Kingdom

The MLitt is a postgraduate degree awarded by a few selected British and Irish universities, predominantly within the ancient English and Scottish universities.

England

Within the English University system MLitt degrees are not offered in all institutions, nor in all disciplines. An MLitt is a Master's degree by research, where a Master of Arts degree is taught. An MLitt may be awarded as an alternative to the Master of Philosophy research degree and is usually placed higher in the hierarchy; starting with degrees such as the postgraduate Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc), then Master of Philosophy, and finally Master of Letters. Note that this varies from the position in Scotland.

Students attending English Universities may apply for an MLitt in the first instance; for others who have completed two years of a Doctorate (such as a PhD or DPhil) and who do not wish to, or cannot, continue with the final year(s), there is the option to write up their completed research so far and graduate with an MLitt degree.