Childrens Literature Trinity College Dublin

Overview

The Childrens Literature M.Phil. at Trinity College Dublin offers an immersive academic exploration of texts written for young audiences, ranging from traditional picturebooks to contemporary adolescent fiction. This comprehensive programme examines the unique complexities of adult authorship for children while investigating how literature shapes young minds across different cultures and eras.

Students engage with a vast body of English-language literature, spanning four centuries of publishing history. The curriculum pays significant attention to modern issues of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that graduates understand the evolving trends and critical modes of the global literary landscape. Studying in the heart of a UNESCO City of Literature provides an unparalleled environment for research and debate.

Why Childrens Literature at Trinity College Dublin?

Trinity College Dublin hosts a world-leading programme that benefits from the university's extensive library collections and archives. Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the vibrant literary communities of Dublin and network with numerous arts and cultural organisations. The course is primarily delivered through small-group seminars, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating atmosphere for creative development.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: EUR 18720 per year
• European fee: EUR 10090 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to balance core theoretical knowledge with specialised research interests. Students complete a major dissertation of 15,000 to 16,000 words alongside their taught modules. Modules may include:

• Perspectives and Case Studies in Children’s Literature
• Modern and Contemporary Literary Studies
• Irish Writing
• The City and Children’s Literature
• Global Children’s Fantasy
• Death and Trauma in Children’s Literature

Careers with Childrens Literature

Graduates of the programme develop advanced transferable skills in critical thinking, professional writing, and persuasive argumentation. These competencies prepare students for diverse roles within the global creative and educational sectors. Many alumni have established successful careers in the following areas:

• Editing and publishing
• Arts management and curation
• Journalism and media
• Teaching and librarianship
• Academic research and doctoral study

Additionally, several former students have utilised the expertise gained during the programme to become published authors of literature for children and young adults. The programme's strong links to the literary community provide a robust foundation for entering the professional arts world.