This programme is ideal for students interested in cultural gender studies and the ways in which gender and sexuality are constructed in literature; literary gender studies is 1 of the department’s research strengths; besides being fully trained in research skills and methodologies, students select 1 of 2 gender theory modules and choose 3 optional modules; they may also choose electives from other Master's programmes inside and outside the department; students also receive professional training towards academic publication, accessing external conferences and chairing a seminar panel; the programme’s final stage is the dissertation, for which students develop their own research interests and receive individual supervision and support from specialist advisers.