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Course syllabus - English 4: Master's (60 credits) Degree Project

Scope

15.0 credits

Course code

ENA411

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1E (Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits))

Main area(s)

English

Organisation

Department of Social Sciences and Humanities

Ratified

2019-12-09

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2021-12-17
    • Latest update: 2025-07-03

    Other Materials

    Suggestions for general reference books to be used in connection with degree projects will be published around the start of the course on Canvas. Other sources to be used will depend on the topic chosen for the degree project and have to be identified during the planning and writing process.

Objectives

The course aims to give students the opportunity to acquire further and broader knowledge and skills in research methodology and scholarly investigations in the subject of English. With greater independence, students are expected to conduct and report on their own investigation in an appropriate research domain, which provides the opportunity for further specialisation in one or more linguistic, literary and/or communicative aspects of the English language and its use, as well as for continued training in scholarly writing in English with a high degree of linguistic correctness.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students with a high degree of independence and increased competence, are expected to:

  1. define an appropriate research topic in English as the main field of study
  2. plan and conduct a scholarly investigation in the main field of study, applying a relevant theoretical perspective and adequate methods
  3. search, select, understand and critically review relevant, scholarly, English-language literature for the chosen research assignment and relate their own investigation to previous research
  4. methodically reflect on the knowledge acquired and relate it to the chosen research question, including societal and ethical aspects
  5. write a comprehensive scholarly report in correct English according to the requirements of the genre
  6. receive and evaluate criticism and comments from others as well as review other students' projects and provide constructive criticism

Course content

  • scholarly investigations in English Studies, including the completion of the students' own investigation, as well as writing a corresponding academic report in English at Master's level
  • defending one's own project, as well as reviewing and discussing other students' projects

Specific requirements

90 credits English with progressive specialisation in which a degree project of 15 credits shall be included, or the equivalent.
In addition, Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3.

Examination

UPS1, Essay, 15 credits, degree project with public discussion concerning learning outcomes 1-6, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Three-grade scale