Program Overview

This degree provides a rigorous course that interrogates the literary, creative, social, cultural, political and historical contexts in the field of children's literature. You will explore landmark books such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or The Railway Children, alongside the contemporary innovations of Jacqueline Woodson or Emily Gravett.

You will work with staff who have international reputations in areas such as philosophy in children's literature, popular fiction, adolescence and Young Adult, early children's books, and writing for young people. You will also benefit from a series of guest speakers, extra-curricular activities and field trips that will enhance your student experience and ensure you get the most out of your studies.

As a Children's Literature student you will become a member of the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature (NCRCL), regarded as the premier institution for children's literature research in Britain. The NCRCL has close links with organisations that work to further the study and teaching of children's literature, including The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), Seven Stories (The National Centre for Children's Books) and Booktrust. The centre also co-organises an annual one-day British IBBY/NCRCL MA Conference and runs a regular NCRCL Conference, showcasing themes from members' research interests. Keynote speakers have included Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, Michael Rosen, Matthew Grenby, Farrukh Dhondy, Emer O'Sullivan, Neil Gaiman, Jamila Gavin and Julia Eccleshare.

Due to the reputation of our long-standing programme, our graduates are very attractive to employers, particularly publishers who have previously offered internships to our students and graduates. The University is the exclusive Creative Partner of Barnes Children's Literature Festival, London's largest event dedicated to children's writing. The partnership provides paid and voluntary work experience opportunities for students at the festival, as well as opportunities to attend events for free. We also have an on-going relationship with Hodder Children's Books and connections with other literary employers in the local community, including Wimbledon Bookfest, and Battersea Arts Centre.

Roehampton hosts a number of Children's' Literature collections in our library containing 6,000 critical, theoretical, bibliographical and reference works and approximately 40 specialist children's literature journals. We are also home to the Richmal Crompton Collection. This includes her personal library, editions and translations of her famous Just William stories and scripts including short stories and radio plays.