Definition

Noun: - An academic degree: A master's degree in the field of literature, typically awarded upon completion of postgraduate study focusing on literary analysis, theory, and criticism.

Usage

• This term is used to refer to the specific academic qualification itself.
• It is often abbreviated as M.Litt. or M.Lit., depending on the institution.
• It is used in formal contexts related to education, academia, and professional qualifications.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The degree is often a research-oriented degree, more advanced than a Master of Arts (MA) in some university systems, sometimes serving as a stepping stone to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
• "To read for a master of literature": A formal British English phrase meaning to study in order to obtain this degree.
  • He went to Cambridge to read for a master of literature.

Variants and Related Words

• M.Litt.: A common abbreviation for Master of Literature.
• M.Lit.: An alternative abbreviation for Master of Literature.
• Master's degree: The broader category of postgraduate degrees, which includes the Master of Literature.
• Master of Arts (MA): A related but often distinct master's degree in arts and humanities subjects.

Synonyms

• Postgraduate degree in literature: A descriptive synonym.
• Advanced literature degree: A general synonym indicating its level.

Notes

• This is a compound noun referring specifically to the named academic degree. It is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or as a phrasal verb.
• The phrase should not be confused with a descriptive phrase like "a master of literature," which could poetically refer to a person who is an expert in the field (e.g., "Shakespeare was a master of literature"). In the academic context discussed here, it is a formal title for a degree.

Noun

1. a master's degree in literature