Combine research skills training in modern languages and cultural studies with tailored theoretical and methodological approaches aligned to your proposed research project. Under expert supervision, you'll produce a major piece of independent research that makes an original contribution to knowledge and offers ideal preparation for PhD study.
This MRes – as well as the Latin American Studies MRes and the Film studies MRes – provides a personalised and focused introduction to postgraduate research. It will enable you to develop into an independent researcher and produce an original research project, supported by an expert in modern languages and cultures.
Pathways are available in Basque studies, Catalan studies, Chinese studies, French studies, German studies, Hispanic studies, Italian studies, Portuguese studies, sociolinguistics, Spanish studies, and translation studies. Your final award will reflect your choice of pathway.
MRes programmes are also available in Latin American Studies and Film Studies. Please contact the programme director for more information.
Whichever pathway you choose, the programme provides intensive preparation for doctoral research and your future career. We’ll guide you through the research process, equipping you with transferable skills, including critical thinking, project management, written and verbal communication, and problem solving.
Training in research methodologies will be tailored to modern languages and cultural studies, as well as your specific research proposal, and a rigorous overview of current scholarship in your selected field will be provided. You’ll co-design a bespoke reading list and individual assessment tasks in preparation for a substantial piece of research.
Guided by research-active experts in the Department of Languages, Culture and Film, you’ll discover how to develop a research proposal, identify relevant evidence and sources, plan and undertake the research, and analyse and present your findings.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THEORY (MODL503) | 30 |
| RESEARCH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT BY DIRECTED STUDY (HLAC503) | 30 |
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| HLC RESEARCH MASTERS DISSERTATION (HLAC501) | 120 |
| TRANSLATION MASTERS DISSERTATION (MODL501) | 120 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You’ll choose one of the two dissertation modules which run across the length of the programme.
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| HLC RESEARCH MASTERS DISSERTATION (HLAC501) | 120 |
| TRANSLATION MASTERS DISSERTATION (MODL501) | 120 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You’ll choose one of the two dissertation modules which run across the length of the programme.
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| HLC RESEARCH MASTERS DISSERTATION (HLAC501) | 120 |
| TRANSLATION MASTERS DISSERTATION (MODL501) | 120 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The programme involves a combination of seminars, one-to-one tutorials, skills development sessions and independent study.
The course structure enables a student-centred approach with focused supervision and support.
You’ll be assessed through written work assigned by your tutors and an oral presentation. There’ll be opportunities to co-design some of these assessments so they’re tailored to your intended research.
Assessments might include written essays, feasibility studies, a bibliography or a preliminary literature review.
The main piece of assessed work will be your dissertation.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Teaching is delivered by the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, who bring together experts in a wide range of disciplines. A cutting edge research programme and award-winning teaching provide great opportunities to study all aspects of language and culture within a global context.
Hear from Louise about her experience of studying for her MRes in Modern Languages and Cultures.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
I hope that the MRes will provide a better background in research than a taught master's would, which will help when applying for PhDs and, in turn, postgraduate research positions.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
The programme will immerse you in research and practical analytical techniques and develop a wide range of transferable skills. You’ll demonstrate communication and presentation skills, problem-solving, methodological skills and the ability to work on your own initiative.
You’ll graduate ready for further study at postgraduate level, including MPhil or PhD research, and prepared for a variety of career opportunities.
Many MRes graduates continue their studies and progress to doctoral research, studying an MPhil or PhD.
Previous graduates have progressed to a wide variety of careers including:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £24,600
Part-time place, per year - £12,300
Fees stated are for the academic year 2025/26. Some MRes courses incur additional bench fees. You will be notified of any fee which applies to you in your offer letter.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
Are you a UK student joining the Basque pathway of our Modern Languages and Cultures MRes or proposing Basque-related research on our Translation MA or Film Studies MA? You could be eligible to apply to have your MRes fees paid in full or receive an MA fee discount.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a subject relevant to the proposed field of research. |
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, with no component below 105 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
To discuss your research proposal, please get in touch with the programme director.
Last updated 8 November 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions