Dr. Alex Da Costa

Professor

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Biography

Professor Alex da Costa specializes in Medieval Literature and Early Print at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of English. His academic journey began at the University of Oxford, where he completed his undergraduate studies in English Literature, focusing on medieval literature. He subsequently earned his Master's degree in 2006 and a DPhil in 2009, with a doctoral thesis dedicated to the subject of printed books at Syon Abbey during the tumultuous period of the 1530s. His notable publications include 'Reforming Printing: Syon Abbey's Defence of Orthodoxy 1524-1534' (2012) and 'Marketing English Books: Printers Changed Reading 1476-1550' (2020), which explore the impact of early printers and market demand on reading practices. Da Costa is also a member of the Faculty's Medieval Research Group and has contributed significantly to discussions around the national advisory group for the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Review in English. His ongoing research works delve into the late medieval religious literature and the early Reformation, particularly regarding the evolution of reading habits from the medieval period to early Lutheranism.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.