6 years part-time
Distance learning available
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Be inspired to reach your research ambitions in an intellectual and supportive community at the forefront of English research.
The diversity of our staff’s research interests means that we are well-positioned to supervise research in any field of literature, from the Middle Ages to the present day, including literature in languages other than English, and literary works in translation.
We also have distinctive expertise in practice-led teaching and research, including archival work and printing. The PhD in English and Related Literature is available on a full-time or part-time basis.
Under the guidance of your supervisor, you'll complete a thesis of up to 80,000 words. A typical semester will involve a great deal of independent research, punctuated by meetings with your supervisor who will be able to suggest direction and address concerns throughout the writing process. You'll be encouraged to undertake periods of research at archives and potentially internationally, depending on your research thesis.
Throughout your degree, you'll have the opportunity to attend a wide range of research training sessions in order to learn archival and research skills, and a range of research seminars organised by the research schools, which bring speakers from around the world for research talks and networking. There is also internal funding available if you wish to propose research events and symposia/conferences.
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You also have the option of enrolling in a PhD in English by distance learning, where you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. You will attend the Research Training Programme online in your first year and have supervision and progression meetings online.
You must attend a five-day induction programme in York at the beginning of your first year. You will also visit York in your second and third years (every other year for part-time students).
Apply for PhD in English and Related Literature (distance learning)
We're a top ten research department according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023.
We're proud to hold an Athena Swan Bronze award in recognition of the work we do to support gender equality in English.
Explore funding for postgraduate researchers in the Department of English and Related Literature.
Explore the expertise of our staff and identify a potential supervisor.
You'll receive training in research methods and skills appropriate to the stage you've reached and the nature of your work. In addition to regular supervisory meetings to discuss planning, researching and writing the thesis, we offer sessions on bibliographic and archival resources (digital, print and manuscript). You'll receive guidance in applying to and presenting at professional conferences, preparing and submitting material for publication and applying for jobs. We meet other training needs in handling research data, various modern languages, palaeography and bibliography. Classical and medieval Latin are also available.
We also offer training in teaching skills for students who wish to pursue teaching posts following their degree. This includes sessions on the delivery and content of seminars and workshops to undergraduates, a structured shadowing programme, teaching inductions and comprehensive guidance and resources for our graduate teaching assistants. Our teacher training is directed by a dedicated staff member.
You'll also benefit from the rich array of research and training sessions at the Humanities Research Centre .
This course is run by the Department of English and Related Literature.
You'll be based on Campus West , though your research may take you further afield.
We also have a distance learning option available for this course.
For doctoral research, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a first-class or high upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualification) and a Masters degree with distinction.
The undergraduate and Masters degrees should be in literature, or in a related subject that is closely tied to the proposed research project.
Other relevant experience and expertise may also be considered:
Supervisors interview prospective research students to ensure good supervisory match and to help with funding applications.
The core deciding factor for admission is the quality of the research proposal, though your whole academic profile will be taken into account. We are committed to ensuring that no prospective or existing student is treated less favourably. See our admissions policy for more information.
Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.
Before applying, we advise you to identify a potential supervisor in the department. Preliminary enquiries are welcomed and should be made as early as possible. Please email one member of staff at a time, after checking that their research expertise matches your project. Emailing several staff members at a time regardless of the relationship between their research interests and yours means that you are unlikely to find a good supervisory match.
If it's not clear which member of staff is appropriate, you should email the Graduate Chair .
Apply for the PhD in English and Related Literature
Students embarking on a PhD programme are initially enrolled provisionally for that qualification. Confirmation of PhD registration is dependent upon the submission of a satisfactory proposal that meets the standards required for the degree, usually in the second year of study.
Find out more about how to apply .
You'll need to provide evidence of your proficiency in English if it's not your first language.
Check your English language requirements
In order to apply for a PhD, we ask that you submit a research proposal as part of your application.
When making your application, you're advised to make your research proposals as specific and clear as possible. Please indicate the member(s) of staff that you'd wish to work with.
Your research proposal should:
What we look for:
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Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.
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We perform innovative and world-leading research across literature, writing and linguistics. Our diverse mix of subject specialities means we are a vibrant and imaginative community with lots of opportunity for intellectual exchange.
October 2024 - full-time, october 2024 - part-time, january 2025 - full-time, january 2025 - part-time, april 2025 - full-time, april 2025 - part-time, july 2025 - full-time, july 2025 - part-time, why choose this programme.
95% of Surrey's postgraduates go on to employment or further study
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked Literature and Languages
What you will study.
Our English Literature PhD will train you in critical and analytical skills, research methods, and knowledge that will equip you for your professional or academic career. It normally takes around three or four years to complete our full-time PhD.
You’ll be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor, who will meet with you regularly to read and discuss your work and progress. For us, writing is essential for understanding and developing new perspectives, so you’ll be submitting written work right from the start of your course.
In the first year of your PhD, you’ll refine your research proposal and plan the structure of your work with the guidance and support of your supervisors. As you go into your second and third year, you’ll gradually learn to work more independently, and your supervisors will guide you on how to present at conferences and get your work published.
After 12-15 months, you’ll submit a substantial piece of work for a confirmation examination. The confirmation examination will be conducted by two internal members of staff not on your supervisory team and will give you the opportunity to gain additional guidance on your research-to-date. The final two years of your PhD will be devoted to expanding and refining your work ready for submission of the final thesis.
As a doctoral student, you’ll receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant-writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research themes.
Discover more about our literature and languages research .
See a full list of all our literature and languages academic staff .
Research support.
In addition to a number of excellent training opportunities offered by the University, our PhD students can take additional subject-specific training and take part in research seminars and events. These provide a valuable opportunity to meet visiting scholars whose work connects with our own research strengths across literature, theory, and creative writing.
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
You’ll be allocated shared office space and have full access to our library and online resources. Our close proximity to London also means that the British Library and many other important archives are within easy reach.
Student - English Literature PhD
"A real highlight for me was having an article published in a well-known journal in my field. This came out of a chapter I wasn’t expecting to write at the start of the thesis, on a novel I read during the PhD."
Uk qualifications.
Applicants are expected to hold a good first-class UK degree (a minimum 2:1 or equivalent) and an MA in a relevant topic.
IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection is based on applicants:
Fees per year.
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance .
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
Create an account and sign into our application portal.
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We have a range of housing to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 6,000 rooms available (en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared or single).
At Surrey we offer a friendly university campus set in beautiful countryside, with the convenience and social life of bustling Guildford on your doorstep.
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .
Interdisciplinary clusters.
The Department of English's Doctoral program in Literature offers advanced study and research in literary history, criticism, and theory, with excellent opportunities for interdepartmental and interdisciplinary study. Courses within the department cover major genres, periods, authors, and a broad range of methodological and theoretical approaches.
The graduate curriculum is enhanced by frequent lectures and workshops with Northwestern faculty and visiting scholars from around the world. Student-organized colloquia, conferences, reading groups, and dissertation groups provide opportunities for students to present their research to an audience of peers.
The PhD program provides superb professionalization and training in a variety of settings, including teaching assistantships for undergraduate lecture courses and the opportunity to develop and lead courses in Northwestern's Writing Program and the School of Professional Studies .
Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > English > Theses and Dissertations
Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.
The Drama of Last Things: Reckoning in Late Medieval and Early Modern English Drama , Spencer M. Daniels
African Spirituality in Literature Written by Women of African Descent , Brigét V. Harley
Hidden Monstrosities: The Transformation of Medieval Characters and Conventions in Shakespeare's Romances , Lynette Kristine Kuliyeva
Making the Invisible Visible: (Re)envisioning the Black Body in Contemporary Adaptations of Nineteenth-Century Fiction , Urshela Wiggins McKinney
Lawful Injustice: Novel Readings of Racialized Temporality and Legal Instabilities , Danielle N. Mercier
“Manne, for thy loue wolde I not lette”: Eucharistic Portrayals of Caritas in Medieval and Early Modern English Literature and Drama 1350-1650 , Rachel Tanski
Of Mētis and Cuttlefish: Employing Collective Mētis as a Theoretical Framework for Marginalized Communities , Justiss Wilder Burry
What on earth are we doing (?): A Field-Wide Exploration of Design Courses in TPC , Jessica L. Griffith
Organizations Ensuring Resilience: A Case Study of Cortez, Florida , Karla Ariel Maddox
Using Movie Clips to Understand Vivid-Phrasal Idioms’ Meanings , Rasha Salem S. Alghamdi
Writing Supports for Honors Thesis Students: An Applied Program Evaluation Study , Krysta Banke
An Exercise in Exceptions: Personhood, Divergency, and Ableism in the STAR TREK Franchise , Jessica A. Blackman
Vulnerable Resistance in Victorian Women’s Writing , Stephanie A. Harper
Curricular Assemblages: Understanding Student Writing Knowledge (Re)circulation Across Genres , Adam Phillips
Anthropocene Fiction: Empathy, Kinship, and the Troubled Waters at the End of the World , Megan Mandell Stowe
PAD Beyond the Classroom: Integrating PAD in the Scrum Workplace , Jade S. Weiss
Social Cues in Animated Pedagogical Agents for Second Language Learners: the Application of The Embodiment Principle in Video Design , Sahar M. Alyahya
A Field-Wide Examination of Cross-Listed Courses in Technical Professional Communication , Carolyn M. Gubala
Labor-Based Grading Contracts in the Multilingual FYC Classroom: Unpacking the Variables , Kara Kristina Larson
Land Goddesses, Divine Pigs, and Royal Tricksters: Subversive Mythologies and Imperialist Land Ownership Dispossession in Twentieth Century Irish and American Literature , Elizabeth Ricketts
Oppression, Resistance, and Empowerment: The Power Dynamics of Naming and Un-naming in African American Literature, 1794 to 2019 , Melissa "Maggie" Romigh
Generic Expectations in First Year Writing: Teaching Metadiscoursal Reflection and Revision Strategies for Increased Generic Uptake of Academic Writing , Kaelah Rose Scheff
Reframing the Gothic: Race, Gender, & Disability in Multiethnic Literature , Ashely B. Tisdale
Intersections of Race and Place in Short Fiction by New Orleans Gens de Couleur Libres , Adrienne D. Vivian
Mental Illness Diagnosis and the Construction of Stigma , Katie Lynn Walkup
Rhetorical Roundhouse Kicks: Tae Kwon Do Pumsae Practice and Non-Western Embodied Topoi , Spencer Todd Bennington
9/11 Then and Now: How the Performance of Memorial Rhetoric by Presidents Changes to Construct Heroes , Kristen M. Grafton
Kinesthetically Speaking: Human and Animal Communication in British Literature of the Long Eighteenth Century , Dana Jolene Laitinen
Exploring Refugee Students’ Second Language (L2) Motivational Selves through Digital Visual Representations , Nhu Le
Glamour in Contemporary American Cinema , Shauna A. Maragh
Instrumentalization Theory: An Analytical Heuristic for a Heightened Social Awareness of Machine Learning Algorithms in Social Media , Andrew R. Miller
Intercessory Power: A Literary Analysis of Ethics and Care in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon , Alice Walker’s Meridian , and Toni Cade Bambara’s Those Bones Are Not My Child , Kelly Mills
The Power of Non-Compliant Logos: A New Materialist Approach to Comic Studies , Stephanie N. Phillips
Female Identity and Sexuality in Contemporary Indonesian Novels , Zita Rarastesa
"The Fiery Furnaces of Hell": Rhetorical Dynamism in Youngstown, OH , Joshua M. Rea
“We developed solidarity”: Family, Race, Identity, and Space-Time in Recent Multiethnic U.S. American Fiction , Kimber L. Wiggs
Remembrance of a Wound: Ethical Mourning in the Works of Ana Menéndez, Elías Miguel Muñoz, and Junot Díaz , José Aparicio
Taking an “Ecological Turn” in the Evaluation of Rhetorical Interventions , Peter Cannon
New GTA’s and the Pre-Semester Orientation: The Need for Informed Refinement , Jessica L. Griffith
Reading Rape and Answering with Empathy: A New Approach to Sexual Assault Education for College Students , Brianna Jerman
The Karoo , The Veld , and the Co-Op: The Farm as Microcosm and Place for Change in Schreiner, Lessing, and Head , Elana D. Karshmer
"The weak are meat, and the strong do eat"; Representations of the Slaughterhouse in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literature , Stephanie Lance
Language of Carnival: How Language and the Carnivalesque Challenge Hegemony , Yulia O. Nekrashevich
Queer Authority in Old and Middle English Literature , Elan J. Pavlinich
Because My Garmin Told Me To: A New Materialist Study of Agency and Wearable Technology , Michael Repici
No One Wants to Read What You Write: A Contextualized Analysis of Service Course Assignments , Tanya P. Zarlengo
Beauty and the Beasts: Making Places with Literary Animals of Florida , Haili A. Alcorn
The Medievalizing Process: Religious Medievalism in Romantic and Victorian Literature , Timothy M. Curran
Seeing Trauma: The Known and the Hidden in Nineteenth-Century Literature , Alisa M. DeBorde
Analysis of User Interfaces in the Sharing Economy , Taylor B. Johnson
Border-Crossing Travels Across Literary Worlds: My Shamanic Conscientization , Scott Neumeister
The Spectacle of The Bomb: Rhetorical Analysis of Risk of The Nevada Test Site in Technical Communication, Popular Press, and Pop Culture , Tiffany Wilgar
Traveling Women and Consuming Place in Eighteenth-Century Travel Letters and Journals , Cassie Patricia Childs
“The Nations of the Field and Wood”: The Uncertain Ontology of Animals in Eighteenth-Century British Literature , J. Kevin Jordan
Modern Mythologies: The Epic Imagination in Contemporary Indian Literature , Sucheta Kanjilal
Science in the Sun: How Science is Performed as a Spatial Practice , Natalie Kass
Body as Text: Physiognomy on the Early English Stage , Curtis Le Van
Tensions Between Democracy and Expertise in the Florida Keys , Elizabeth A. Loyer
Institutional Review Boards and Writing Studies Research: A Justice-Oriented Study , Johanna Phelps-Hillen
The Spirit of Friendship: Girlfriends in Contemporary African American Literature , Tangela La'Chelle Serls
Aphra Behn on the Contemporary Stage: Behn's Feminist Legacy and Woman-Directed Revivals of The Rover , Nicole Elizabeth Stodard
(Age)ncy in Composition Studies , Alaina Tackitt
Constructing Health Narratives: Patient Feedback in Online Communities , Katie Lynn Walkup
Rupturing the World of Elite Athletics: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of the Suspension of the 2011 IAAF Regulations on Hyperandrogenism , Ella Browning
Shaping Climate Citizenship: The Ethics of Inclusion in Climate Change Communication and Policy , Lauren E. Cagle
Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Analyzing FEMA's Risk Communication through Visual Rhetoric , Samantha Jo Cosgrove
Material Expertise: Applying Object-oriented Rhetoric in Marine Policy , Zachary Parke Dixon
The Non-Identical Anglophone Bildungsroman : From the Categorical to the De-Centering Literary Subject in the Black Atlantic , Jarad Heath Fennell
Instattack: Instagram and Visual Ad Hominem Political Arguments , Sophia Evangeline Gourgiotis
Hospitable Climates: Representations of the West Indies in Eighteenth-Century British Literature , Marisa Carmen Iglesias
Chosen Champions: Medieval and Early Modern Heroes as Postcolonial Reactions to Tensions between England and Europe , Jessica Trant Labossiere
Science, Policy, and Decision Making: A Case Study of Deliberative Rhetoric and Policymaking for Coastal Adaptation in Southeast Florida , Karen Patricia Langbehn
A New Materialist Approach to Visual Rhetoric in PhotoShopBattles , Jonathan Paul Ray
Tracing the Material: Spaces and Objects in British and Irish Modernist Novels , Mary Allison Wise
Representations of Gatsby: Ninety Years of Retrospective , Christine Anne Auger
Robust, Low Power, Discrete Gate Sizing , Anthony Joseph Casagrande
Wrestling with Angels: Postsecular Contemporary American Poetry , Paul T. Corrigan
#networkedglobe: Making the Connection between Social Media and Intercultural Technical Communication , Laura Anne Ewing
Evidence of Things Not Seen: A Semi-Automated Descriptive Phrase and Frame Analysis of Texts about the Herbicide Agent Orange , Sarah Beth Hopton
'She Shall Not Be Moved': Black Women's Spiritual Practice in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Paradise, and Home , Rondrea Danielle Mathis
Relational Agency, Networked Technology, and the Social Media Aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing , Megan M. Mcintyre
Now, We Hear Through a Voice Darkly: New Media and Narratology in Cinematic Art , James Anthony Ricci
Navigating Collective Activity Systems: An Approach Towards Rhetorical Inquiry , Katherine Jesse Royce
Women's Narratives of Confinement: Domestic Chores as Threads of Resistance and Healing , Jacqueline Marie Smith
Domestic Spaces in Transition: Modern Representations of Dwelling in the Texts of Elizabeth Bowen , Shannon Tivnan
Paradise Always Already Lost: Myth, Memory, and Matter in English Literature , Elizabeth Stuart Angello
Overcoming the 5th-Century BCE Epistemological Tragedy: A Productive Reading of Protagoras of Abdera , Ryan Alan Blank
Acts of Rebellion: The Rhetoric of Rogue Cinema , Adam Breckenridge
Material and Textual Spaces in the Poetry of Montagu, Leapor, Barbauld, and Robinson , Jessica Lauren Cook
Decolonizing Shakespeare: Race, Gender, and Colonialism in Three Adaptations of Three Plays by William Shakespeare , Angela Eward-Mangione
Risk of Compliance: Tracing Safety and Efficacy in Mef-Lariam's Licensure , Julie Marie Gerdes
Beyond Performance: Rhetoric, Collective Memory, and the Motive of Imprinting Identity , Brenda M. Grau
Subversive Beauty - Victorian Bodies of Expression , Lisa Michelle Hoffman-Reyes
Integrating Reading and Writing For Florida's ESOL Program , George Douglas Mcarthur
Responsibility and Responsiveness in the Novels of Ann Radcliffe and Mary Shelley , Katherine Marie McGee
Ghosts, Orphans, and Outlaws: History, Family, and the Law in Toni Morrison's Fiction , Jessica Mckee
The "Defective" Generation: Disability in Modernist Literature , Deborah Susan Mcleod
Science Fiction/Fantasy and the Representation of Ethnic Futurity , Joy Ann Sanchez-Taylor
Hermes, Technical Communicator of the Gods: The Theory, Design, and Creation of a Persuasive Game for Technical Communication , Eric Walsh
Rhetorical Spirits: Spirituality as Rhetorical Device in New Age Womanist of Color Texts , Ronisha Witlee Browdy
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How to use this guide, literary research: background & context, find books and articles in jumbosearch, recommended web resources.
Welcome to the Tisch Library guide to resources for the graduate study of literature in English. Use the table of contents to find definitions, topic overviews, books, articles, and more that will help you with your research.
If you don't find what you are looking for or need help navigating this guide or any of the resources it contains, don't hesitate to contact the author of this guide or Ask a Librarian .
Want to learn more about the background and context of literary scholarship? Below is a selection of resources that can help you to develop a better understanding of literary research, including the discourses of critical theory.
Want to discover everything that Tisch Library has on your topic? Try searching for your topic in JumboSearch, which simultaneously searches across all of the library's resources, including: books from the library catalog: journal articles in databases, online and in print; research guides on your topic; digital files from the Archives; and much, much more!
Search by Keyword, Title, Subject, or Creator
There are a lot of great resources on the web where you can find information about English Literature as well as online primary texts (stories, poems, plays, and novels) and recordings of literature being read aloud. Have fun exploring!
From admission to dissertation. Tips on making the PhD journey happy, productive and successful
To pick a right topic for research in English Literature during PhD is something a huge task. There are many topics out there for a good research. Here are my tips on how to rightly choose a PhD research topic in English Literature
The proven way to choose a research topic in English Literature is to ask your professor on what they have researched upon while they had been doing their Ph.D. After this, you have to search for new trending topics at the present time. If someone has got an award or Nobel prize, Take that person and it is always best. Every year there are awards given to the authors who contributed well to English Literature. Choose a topic from them.
You’re about to choose an author to research for your Ph.D. in English literature. This is important and so you should take your time doing. You want to ensure the author is someone who is interesting and intriguing for everyone in the literary academic world. The words of the author need to be words that will make you think, question and analyze.
Start off broadly, looking at a number of authors. Slowly narrow down your search. You need to connect to the author – how is his or her work significant, why does it appeal to you, will it appeal to academics, is there enough to write on, and is he or she relevant. Look at how much work he or she has written and made quite sure you can get your hands on the books.
Relevance is important. We live in a time where gender is a top priority, as is history, politics, art, feminism, sexism, the way stories are told and who tells them. Your Ph.D. is going to be based on this author. His or her words need to be relevant, perhaps controversial and significant. This author needs to be engaging and someone whose work you can engage with.
As an academic, reading and research are the two most important thing you are going to do. You need to read as much as you possibly can, not just on the author of your choice, but all the books written by the author of your choice. Reading is something that you learn from but also something that stimulates you and gives you your own writing style.
The more you can learn about the author, the better you can come up with a research topic in English literature. Read as many of his or books as possible, but also, read books or articles that have been written about the author. After a while, you will start to feel like you know and understand the author. This is what you want. The more you read, the more knowledgeable you become, in every aspect.
If you cannot find the books – some may be obscure – spend time in libraries. Libraries are in fact very conducive to writing a Ph.D. – something about the bookshelves, space, the solitude and of course, the history. Remember, you want to find angles or information on the author that is new. Look online, look in libraries and don’t feel shy to ask your lecturers if they have books for you to borrow.
You may already know that what an author writes about does not have to reflect his or her personal life. Which means when you are researching an author, you do not only want to learn about his or her written words? These words are important. But so are their personal words. Personal lives give you a good insight into the author too. If he or she had children, did they work alone, how did they die?
When we say personal words, we also mean personal life. Because the written word is different to the ‘living word’, an author can have many personas. Perhaps they write about sexuality in a very open way yet in real life, are deeply conservative. This makes for an interesting Ph.D. Knowing how the author lived out her personal life is very important.
You are going to have to delve into realms of information to learn about an author’s personal life. This is going to be interesting for you, and for your reader. In today’s world of fake news, you also need to be very careful. Double check your sources, always, to ensure you are getting and then choosing out the correct information. Read, and then read some more.
This may seem extreme to you, but we have already said that a successful Ph.D in English Literature is about reading and research. You’ve chosen your author and you’ve written out a list of his or her books. Now, you are going to curl up in a corner somewhere, or at your desk, and read. We’ve already said it but the more you read, the more you learn.
Spend the next ten days reading. This way you are immersing yourself in the author’s words, subjects, feelings, emotions, history, religion, characters, sexuality, gender and more. The more you read, the more you will start to understand your chosen author and to feel and think the way the author did or does. Remember, reading not only educates you, but it also inspires you.
Make notes as you read. Choose a pen or highlighter and highlight those passages that make you really think. Cross-reference paragraphs, characters, emotions or metaphors. Take note of anything you find important or astonishing or unusual or surprising. Go back to your notes. Your very Ph.D. may relate to your first few notes. Keep all your reading material too; one day you are going to need it. All Ph.D. students seem to buy new bookshelves!
The best way to understand something, and to remember something, is to write. The more you write, the easier things will stick in your head. Read a book, or a few chapters, and then write your own summaries. Chances are your time is limited, which is why summaries are good. Also, when you write a summary, things start becoming clearer and you may have an epiphany.
If the book you are reading has 15 chapters, perhaps summarize after every chapter. This is a personal choice – and of course, it depends on the books – but more summaries are better than less. Summarize in your own words and you will find that through summaries, you find your own style too. Cross-reference your summaries to the books you are reading.
When we say write, you may enjoy writing and you may enjoy typing. This is personal. Academics can generally be seen in front of their computers, hammering away at their keyboards. Type if you like, but sometimes writing with a pen and paper can actually get your creative juices flowing in a different way. Writing makes you think and gives you the ability to see things in a fresh way too. Always write, as much as you can.
There are many online literary theory courses that you can choose and we would suggest you sign up for one. The literary theory may seem academic and overwhelming but once you understand it, you’re on your way to writing a successful and highly revered Ph.D. Take a look and see how many prestigious universities offer courses on literary theory. That way you will see how important it is to do one.
A literary theory course will change the way you think about language, literature, society, and identity. A course will help you hone your critical reading skills and to understand theoretical terms such as postcolonialism, deconstruction, and Marxist criticism. A literary theory course will arm you with all the skills that you will need to dissect, criticize, analyze and understand your author, subject or topic you are researching.
There are many literary theory courses and you need to find one that will help you with your subject. A literary theory course will help you understand how you should approach literature, criticism verse theory, structure, analysis, and psycho-analysis of the subject and the author. You can choose to do one literary theory course and do it in your own time. There are many online courses; do one for a successful Ph.D.
You’re writing a Ph.D. which is a huge step. You are going to bring in various literary theories which means not only do you need to understand the various literary theories, but you need to know how they all relate to one another. For a Ph.D. to be successful, you need to discuss, analyze, criticize and be open for debate. You also need to be open to criticism.
Take a look at the various literary theories. There are traditional literary theories and also formalism and new criticism. There are Marxism and critical theory and then there’s structuralism and post-structuralism. You are likely comfortable with some theories, and others not so much. Remember, fellow academics are going to question your theories and criticize you. Criticism is not always bad. It is academic criticism and it is there for a reason. Your research needs to be complete.
Again, a literary theory course can help you. Depending on your subject and author of choice, depends on which theories you will need to bring in. There are others – including new historicity and cultural materialism, ethnic studies and post-colonialism criticism. You need to relate them to one another. A course may help you to pick a good topic for PhD English literature.
It’s important to note that in the academic world there are often many complex perspectives regarding literary theories. You need to read about your chosen author and have a look at how he or she followed literary theories in their books. Was there consistency? Was there a specific literary theory that was followed?
Sometimes the theories are simple and easy to follow. Sometimes there is a single theory or theme in a book. Sometimes theories are mixed, or many sides are given. You need to be able to read, review, analyze and understand the theories your author chose to follow. And your research needs to be so good, that fellow academics can analyze too and have brainwave moments from your writing.
Reading needs to be engaging, no matter the kind of reading. It also needs to make you think. Reading should stimulate. Sometimes, more than one theory is applied so that there are conflicting views, ideas, debate, and discussion. Take a look carefully at the author you are researching, their books, and the ideas that are put forward. Do they follow the theories you have been learning about? If so, which one or which ones. Do you have any theories of your own?
You may find some literary theories more exciting than others. Perhaps post-colonialism is your thing, or Marxist criticism excites you. The trick is not to get too tied down to one theory, too soon. Read, read again, make notes, summarize and review. And look at various literary theories. You are going to find that some theories absolutely fascinate you and others you find irrelevant. Make notes and slowly you will be lead towards the theories that are right for you.
The more you read and make notes, the more one particular theory is going to leap out at you. It may be a slow process and in fact, the slower the better. This means your thinking is going to be clearer, and more critical. Once you find yourself honing in on a certain theory, you will find your direction.
Let’s say poststructuralism has caught your interest. You will now start thinking in a different light. You will find yourself coming up with your own theories, perhaps relating theories together, perhaps finding clarity in just the one. Make notes – you may not use them all, but you will find them useful when you start tying everything together. And always, always, theorize.
If you have not yet decided on your topic, make sure you know what other students are researching, or thinking of researching. You do not want to suddenly find out you are doing the same thing. And you do not want to waste your time. Jot down other people’s topics. Jot down any ideas you have and at some point, you will find it all comes together. Wake up and make notes. Sit with fellow researchers and make notes.
The thing about choosing a PhD research topic in English literature is that you constantly need to listen, read, listen to some more, research and keep reading. You also need to open yourself up to the conversation, with other researchers, Ph.D. students, and lecturers. Talk to others, even if your literary topics are different. Or even to make sure that they are different.
The academic world is constantly bouncing ideas off one another. It’s important to talk about your ideas, to get feedback on your ideas, and to listen to other people’s ideas. Keep a notebook with you at all times and jot down what and how other people are doing their research. You are not going to copy anyone, but you are going to find inspiration and you are going to inspire others.
You need to put effort into finding the right PhD topic. This can take time and be agonizing. It may seem like each topic you are choosing has already been taken. Take your time and find a topic that appeals to you, will challenge you and will exit you. Find a topic where you can give new and exciting information too.
Choosing a topic for your PhD in English literature may depend on the literature available, how much time it is going to take you, and also, it the topic worthy of research and investigation. You are going to have to immerse yourself totally in all the literature available on the topic – choose wisely.
Only choose a topic already done if you are going to look at new angles and find different analyses to the ones out there already. Only choose a topic that you are pretty sure will become clear to you, as you research, and therefore clear to others too. You can choose a topic that is interesting to you, and been done before, as long as you have a new and exciting way from which to write.
Most students will look at up to 5 topics before making a decision. It’s quite normal to pick a topic, change your mind, pick another one, do some research, put it away, look at a third topic, and so on. This is a good process. You need to be proactive in your decision which means you need to spend time thinking of what you are going to write, and how you are going to write it.
The reason you choose at least 5 research topics in English literature is that you can really find that topic that excites and challenges you. Look at why you would study the topic and what your research would mean to you, and to others. Take your topics to fellow researchers or academics. Ask them for advice. Listen to what people have to say about your topic choices.
You may choose the first topic and have your heart set on it. Perhaps you find little information on it, or even worse, you find too much. The topic may have been over-researched. It is time to move on to your next topic until you settle on the one that is right for you. Don’t be hasty in making a choice.
Once you have your list of possible topics for your Ph.D., ask a literature expert to spend some time with you. This could be a professor, lecturer, fellow researcher, or author. Put forward your ideas and ensure you have the correct information on your ideas. Ask for feedback. When you ask for feedback, listen without getting defensive. You have asked for a review of your topics. Listen to the feedback.
A literature expert can be someone you know but it doesn’t have to be. If you know about a specialist in your area of interest, ask for a meeting. And remember, you can also approach a professional organization and ask to chat. Fellow academics are generally happy to help. You can find fellow academics at your university but you are also free to chat with academics at other learning institutions.
Finally, use the Internet. You can find a variety of sources online that will answer any questions you may have regarding your proposed topic. You will be able to get ideas online about your proposed topics, and if they can work, if they have been done, if you are on the right path, and if there is interest.
You are choosing a PhD research topic in English literature and so it makes sense for you to discuss your various topics with an English teacher. You are taking to the very people who are going to have an interest in your ideas and you will find good English teachers are eager to talk to you. You will find teachers at your own place of learning, but you can also ask for meetings with teachers you don’t know but are expert in their field.
Tell them about your ideas. Ask them for feedback, what they think and if they would advise you to do the proposed topic. Ask if they think your topic has good potential and if it could become a dissertation. Ask them what they know about the topic and if they feel it would be significant. Listen carefully to the advice you are given.
You want your topic to uncover new information. You might think you have new information, but experienced English teachers may know differently. Chat with them, listen to them more important, and ask for their honest opinions. The academic world is an inclusive one and experts are going, to be honest with you. Listen to them.
Choosing a Ph.D. topic in English literature is no easy task. Your research needs to be significant and helpful to future researchers. It has to be groundbreaking. It has to shed light on topics, or at least offer controversial opinions. It can be really hard to choose a topic, for these reasons. You may find that some of your teachers actually give out topics and this is an easy way to make a choice.
You can go for the topic that is automatically suggested by your teachers. This way you know that the topic is one that is significant and has not been over-researched or over analyzed. Chat with your teacher and ask why they are suggesting the topic. Get their advice.
When you choose a topic for your research, you want to get feedback from people who are ‘in the know.’ Don’t go with the first topic that comes along. Go with a topic that excites you and that you know will be hard work but interesting, creative and challenging too. Go with a topic that is going to have the academic world thinking and questioning, in a good way!
You may think this is not something that should be up for debate but the truth is the academic world is a competitive one. If your idea is fantastic and food for thought and we hope it is, you don’t want a fellow student to follow your idea. Rather keep your research topic to yourself until you join your PhD. You don’t want your idea stolen, but you also don’t want to lose confidence in your idea, especially if you are convinced by it.
The other reason not to reveal your topic in advance is in case of friends brush off your idea. You may think your topic is worthy but somebody may take away your confidence. As long as you have done your research in advance and you feel strongly about your topic, keep it. Always listen to advice given by academics, but be a little more guarded with your friends. Do initially only.
Confidence is necessary when doing a Ph.D. You can drive yourself literally made when you question and the second question what you are doing. Don’t let friends or academics second guess you, unless you are asking their opinions. Otherwise, as long as you feel sure, keep going.
This is a good tip for you when you are deciding about your research topic, but also once you have chosen your research topic. Universities are always having special interest lectures, interviews, workshops and more, and you will find all of these on your topic of interest. When we say interview, we mean an interview, a meeting, and a lecture.
Attend as many interviews as you can. This means you should try and go to all public lecturers or book readings or similar when you have chosen your topic. And if you are still choosing your topic, ask as many experts on the subject as possible to interview and talk to you. Remember; interview a wide range of people before settling on a topic. People are interesting and have interesting ideas – one person will give you something nobody else will have thought of.
One on one interviews or meetings can be the most beneficial thing. You, as the researcher, need to do a lot of listening. An interviewer will guide you in every single way and make you think. If an interviewer can make you think, imagine how one day you are going to make your readers think.
Have you ever seen an academic’s bookshelves? They are always jam-packed, floor to ceiling, with books. And academics have many bookshelves, not just one. Your research topic is going to be with you for a long time. It’s your Ph.D., you are going to read, research, write and defend. It’s yours and will be forever.
Buy all the novels and books you need. You are the expert on your subject, the expert on your topic. You need to read everything you can lay your hands on. And print is so much better than online. Take the books with you to bed, to the bath, to your coffee shop. Do more reading
It’s also an excellent idea to make a note of all the books you read. You will have a Ph.D. English literature file. Have an index and one of the chapters should include all the books by the author, and all the books you have read on the author. Summarize and make notes on the books. Make notes in the book. Read the book a second time if it really appeals to you.
This is a contentious issue because academia is changing. There are two schools of thought – read novels in print or read novels on the computer. Don’t do both. The truth is you can do whatever works for you. If you prefer to read online, it is better than not reading at all.
The reason academia says ‘do not read novels on the computer’ is that they feel you may not retain as much. When you read in print you can make notes easily, highlight certain sentences or chapters, dog ear pages so you remember what to go back to, and also, read at any time.
Books are fantastic, especially in print. You always have them, you don’t have to go online to find them, they are real treasures and should be treated as such. And to have a whole range of novels or books on the subject of your thesis is something incredibly special.
It is very easy, especially in this world with the internet, to be distracted. When you are writing a Ph.D. the one thing you cannot afford is a distraction. You need to use your time properly and be incredibly disciplined. Many academics say when they write a Ph.D., they eat, drink and sleep it.
Let’s get back to discipline. Your thesis is going to take you a long time. When you undertake your research topic, think about the time frame that you have. You will need to manage your time well. You need to be well disciplined in giving yourself time to collect data and go through it.
Everyone needs to take a break sometimes. Do things that you enjoy in your free time. But when you are working on your Ph.D. work. Use your time smartly and always be reading, researching or writing. Do this and you will not have any last minute chaos in meeting your deadline.
The one thing you always need to have in your bag is a pen and pencil. Otherwise, have a mobile device where you can take notes. Ideas come to people at the strangest of times – when you’re taking a walk, sipping coffee, waiting for a friend on the corner. Always write them down.
Likewise, when you attend an interview or a lecture, have your pen and paper handy. Make notes so that you can refer to them and read them. Once you have got home, take your notebook and transfer anything relevant to your PhD folder.
Be aware of the interview or lecture, or meeting that you are in. It may come across as rude if you scribble down every little thing. Be discerning with your notes. Yes, write things down, definitely. But don’t write down an entire lecture. Listen, jot down short notes, and always – go over everything afterward.
Before you choose your literary Ph.D. topic, do a lot of research. Your idea may be an extraordinary one, but what if nobody has any interest in reading it? You want to choose a topic that is interesting and excited and where the academic world will be talking about it.
Ask your lecturers what they think of your topic. Make notes and surveys. You could choose five topics – as suggested earlier – and run a literary survey. Ask lecturers, fellow academics and other students what they think of your topics. Put it in a survey form and see which topic comes out tops.
Look carefully at the results of your survey. If everyone is choosing one topic for a reason, they are probably right. It does not mean they are definitely right though. You can take your survey one step further and find out why they find that particular topic interesting. Then make a decision based on how you feel.
This is an obvious one, isn’t it? Nobody is going to read a PhD, or take it seriously when your top is foolish or irrelevant. We are living in a world where relevance is everything. Whether it does to with gender, feminism, sexism, history, climate change, politics or art – you must be relevant.
Remember, a PhD is something that everyone in the academic world takes seriously. Your research is going to be read by your peers and by peers who you hold in high esteem. You want them to read your work and be wowed by your work. If you are foolish, you lose your chance of being held in high esteem too.
You are going to be spending a long time on your PhD, maybe a year and maybe more. You also want to be interested in what you are doing and not find it a chore. Your research is important, not just for others but for you too. Take the whole thing seriously. PhD studies are serious – you need to be serious too.
You need to read as much as possible when you are writing a PhD. To be honest, you need to read as much as possible at all times. When you read other work, ideas come to you. You learn about style and content by reading. Read anything you can get your hands on. You are going to be writing your PhD. A good writer reads a lot, it is the only way they become a good writer.
When we say you should do a lot of reading, it does not mean you have to only read about matters connected to your particular research. You should read everything you can. Read academic papers, read transcribed interviews, read the newspaper, read novels and read magazines. The more you read, the better you write. Any writer will tell you that.
As a researcher, books are going to become the most important thing in your life. All books are going to become important to you. Keep a book in your bag. Read when you’re on the bus, on the train and at home in front of the television. Reading gets our own creative juices flowing, whether academic, fiction or non-fiction. Reading makes you think.
When you write a PhD you are going to have a ton of material that you need to go through. The first thing you need to do, even before you have chosen a topic, is to open up a PhD file. Get yourself a good one, it’s going to be with you for a long time. Make different sections.
Your collected notes are going to be the most important part of your Ph.D.; you are going to refer to them for a very long time. Make sure you have your notes in one section and as you can, cross-references them to your summaries or to chapters or books you are reading. Always go over your notes. You will suddenly read something and go ‘oh that makes sense.’
The same goes with all your reading. Keep your reading close by. Wake up in the morning, read. When you go to bed at night, read. The more reading you do, the better. Make notes of all the books you have, and of all the books you still plan to get. Tick them off as you read them. And mostly, always have a copy of your PhD notes and research as you go along. You do not want to lose it.
Hello, My name is Syam, Asst. Professor of English and Mentor for Ph.D. students worldwide. I have worked years to give you these amazing tips to complete your Ph.D. successfully. Having put a lot of efforts means to make your Ph.D. journey easier. Thank you for visiting my Ph.D. blog.
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Degree Awarded: PHD English (Literature)
The PhD program in English with a concentration in literature trains students in various methodologies, pedagogies and areas of inquiry that constitute literary and cultural studies.
With a diverse and distinguished faculty, the program offers opportunities for specialization in traditional areas of literary criticism, cultural analysis and theory, as well as various fields of interdisciplinary study.
A doctorate in literature equips students with a range of highly sought-after skills and competencies: research and analysis of complex material, communication in written and oral modes, collaboration, independence and self-motivation, creativity and adaptability.
The PhD in English (literature) at ASU is a premier graduate program in the U.S. with strong interdisciplinary ties and faculty links to research centers on campus and in the state, including the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, the Institute for Humanities Research, and the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. With these resources and a strong mentorship program at their fingertips, our graduates are prepared for a wide array of professional opportunities including careers in college teaching, research, writing, editing, higher education, and humanities-related organizations.
Lee Bebout , Director
Kira Assad, Program Manager
Faculty in Literature
Doctoral Examinations
Doctoral Procedures and Timeline
Teaching Assistantships
Curriculum plan options.
A student with an appropriate master's degree must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours of approved graduate work, which includes 12 credit hours of dissertation, provided the student's master's degree is accepted by the supervisory committee and the academic unit. Research hours may be used toward coursework in consultation with the advisor.
A student without an appropriate master's degree must complete 84 credit hours of work at ASU. At the advisor's discretion, students may include up to 12 credit hours of appropriate, graduate-level coursework undertaken at another university and not previously counted toward any other degree.
Specifically required are six credit hours in theory courses and ENG 501 Approaches to Research. Students must complete eight graduate courses in any of the following categories:
Students must take at least five graduate seminars at the 600 level en route to the doctorate, at least three of which must be taken in the doctoral program. Up to 12 credit hours taken outside the department may be counted toward the degree. Students should consult with their supervisory committees when choosing electives.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency, regardless of current residency. Applicants can find more information about English proficiency requirements on the school website . Please note that official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.
The well-considered, one- to two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, proposed research specialization, any secondary field of interest and why the applicant wishes to pursue a PhD in English (Literature) at Arizona State University. Applicants applying for funding must also submit a statement of teaching philosophy.
Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.
Graduates are prepared for careers in higher education and other fields that value this expertise. Sectors employing high numbers of arts and humanities graduates include information and communication, financial and insurance, public administration and defense, arts and entertainment, and education.
Career examples include:
Global experience.
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Students in our Ph.D. program gain advanced knowledge of literature from the British Middle Ages and colonial America to global/postcolonial and U.S. contemporary, as well as knowledge of literary theory, literary analysis, and interdisciplinary methods. The course of study balances coverage of national literary traditions with innovative methods and topics such as literature and science; literature and environment; translation; gender and sexuality studies; and critical race studies.
Our Ph.D. students are involved in a range of interdisciplinary and public initiatives. For example, some affiliate with interdisciplinary Designated Emphases ; others have received grants to create podcasts , convene interdisciplinary working groups , or organize annual graduate student conferences. Each year one student participates in a year-long exchange program with the Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies in Mainz, Germany; some have worked as Graduate Assistants and researchers for research centers such as the Medieval and Early Modern Studies Program , the experimental media Modlab , and the university’s Datalab .
Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in English, as well as extensive pedagogical training and a range of teaching experience that includes writing and composition, as well as designing and teaching Introduction to Literature courses. Our Alumni Directory includes titles of recent dissertations, as well as information about the diverse careers for which the Ph.D. has helped prepare our graduates. There is an option to complete an MA in literature , but it is not a stand-alone program.
Questions? Contact:
Aaron Barstow Graduate Program Coordinator, Ph.D. Program in Literature [email protected] (530) 752-2738 Pronouns: he/they
Degree requirements for the Ph.D. program (links to more details) include 50 units of coursework with at least 44 units taken for a letter grade, proficiency in one foreign language proficiency before degree conferral, preliminary and qualifying examinations, and a dissertation. In addition, there are also opportunities for students to pursue a Designated Emphasis and gain teaching experience.
Coursework Requirements
3 Core Courses (8 units) • English 200: Introduction to Graduate Studies (taken as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) • One survey course in literary theory (Critical Theory 200A or 200C taken for a grade) 1 Workshop (2 units) English 288: Prospectus Workshop (taken as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory); students may petition to complete this course independently with a Prospectus Adviser.
10 Graduate-level Seminars (40 units) • All courses must be taken for a grade • Five courses must satisfy the breadth requirement (see below) • Five courses will be comprised of electives (see below) • Students may count one undergraduate 100-level course as one of their ten required courses • Aside from ENL 200, no course graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory may count as one of the twelve required seminars • Independent and group studies may not be taken for a grade
13 Total Graduate Courses (50 units; 44 units taken for a grade) Additionally, students who enter the Ph.D. program without a MA degree can earn one en route to the Ph.D. degree.
The English Ph.D. requires a reading knowledge of one foreign language before completing the degree; it is not an admissions requirement. This could be satisfied through previous or current coursework or an exam. Any of the following demonstrates proficiency:
Completion within the past eight years of 3 semester-length, or 4 quarter-length courses in a foreign language at the undergraduate level. Students must earn a passing grade, but courses may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Students may take the Placement Test offered by the UC Davis Language Center , testing out of the language at the intermediate level.
A Pass in the language exam offered in the English Department at the beginning of Fall or Spring quarter each year.
The breadth requirements must be fulfilled by coursework in the Department of English or coursework taught by English Department faculty. Five courses (of the total 40 units above) will satisfy this requirement. Students must complete two Earlier Period courses, and two Later Period courses, and one Focus course.
Earlier Period Courses Pre-1800; or Pre-1865 if the course focus is on American literature
Later Period Courses Post-1800 or Post-1865 if the course focus is on American literature
Focus Course Interdisciplinary, Identity, Genre, Other National, Method, Theory
Faculty and/or the Graduate Advisor may choose to designate a course as fulfilling more than one category, but students may use the course to fulfill only one requirement. For instance, a student could use a course on women in Early Modern literature to satisfy the Earlier Period requirement, or the Focus (Identity) requirement, but not both. A student could use a course on Cold War Drama to satisfy the Later Period requirement or the Focus (Genre) requirement, but not both.
Students who enter the Ph.D. program with MA coursework from another institution may petition the Graduate Adviser for a Course Waiver up to three of the twelve required seminars; each approved petition will reduce the number of required courses by one. Students may not reduce their coursework to fewer than nine seminars.
Students holding an MA may also petition the Graduate Adviser for course relief for up to five of the breadth requirements; each approved petition allows the student to substitute elective courses. ENL 200 may not be waived or relieved.
For each waiver or relief request, students must submit to the English Graduate Office a Course Waiver or Relief Request form (available in the office) along with the syllabus from the course and the student's seminar paper.
In the Spring Quarter of the second year or Fall Quarter of the third year of graduate study, students take a Preliminary Examination in two historical fields and one focus field. Three faculty members conduct the oral examination, each representing one of the fields. Prior to taking the Preliminary Examination, students must have completed the following:
• Introduction to Graduate Studies (ENL200) • Survey of Literary Theory (CRI200A or CRI200C) • Four of five Breadth Requirements • Four of five Elective Requirements
Additionally, students select one focus field. A student may devise her/his own focus list in collaboration with two faculty members or, as is more common, choose one from among the following:
• Black Studies • Critical Theory • Disability Studies • Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities • Feminisms • Film Studies • Marxism • Media Technologies • Performance Studies • Poetics • Postcolonial Theory • Psychoanalysis • Queer Feminisms • Queer Theories • Race and Ethnicity Studies • Science and Literature • Science Fiction
English 299 (Independent Study) is ordinarily used the quarters before the Preliminary Examination to prepare for the oral examination and is graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory. Students may register for ENL 299 under the Graduate Advisor or a faculty member in the field of their exam for the quarter(s) they intend to study.
In the event that the student does not pass the exam, the exam chair will report the decision to the Graduate Adviser, who will work with the committee to decide whether the student should be given a chance to retake the exam (no less than six months later) or whether the student should be dismissed from the program. The Graduate Adviser will report this final decision to the student within 72 hours of the exam’s conclusion.
Any remaining requirements after taking the Preliminary Examination must be completed before scheduling the Qualifying Examination.
Students will select two historical fields from among the following list. Students who would like to do non-consecutive historical fields need to get prior approval from the Graduate Adviser. These lists and additional helpful documents can be accessed via our box folder "Preliminary Exam" in the English Graduate Program file.
• 20th Century British • African American Literature 20th Century • American Antebellum, 1800-1865 • American Indian Literature, 1768-present • American Literature Early 20th c., 1900-1945 • American Literature, Later 1945-present • American Literature, Later 19th-c., 1865-1914 • Asian American & Pacific Islander Literature • Colonial - Early American to 1800 • Later Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature (1675-1792) • Middle English • Old English (Anglo-Saxon) • Postcolonial Literature • Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature (1660-1792) • Romanticism (1776-1832) • Seventeenth-Century English Literature From 1604-1675 • Sixteenth-Century Literature From 1485-1603 • Victorian
The Qualifying Examination happens as early as the spring of the third year and should be taken no later than the spring of the fourth year. The reading list for this exam, which is conducted orally, is constructed by the student in consultation with his or her three-person dissertation committee. When making their lists, students may consult the standard lists for preliminary exams available on the department's Box site. If the student has elected a designated emphasis (DE), materials from that field should also be incorporated into the Qualifying Exam reading list.
Graduate Studies requires the Qualifying Examination Application to be submitted at least 30 days prior the the scheduled exam date or it won't be approved.
Qualifying Examination Committee The student, in consultation with their Prospectus Adviser and, if needed, the Graduate Adviser, nominates four faculty to serve on the Qualifying Examination Committee: • The three proposed Dissertation Committee members • One member must be from outside the English graduate program (this may be a member of the Dissertation Committee)
The QE Committee is responsible for administering the exam. Neither the “Prospectus Adviser” nor the Dissertation Director (in many, though not all, cases these will be same) may be the chair of the QE Committee. Students with a designated emphasis (DE) must include one faculty member affiliated with the DE on both their qualifying and dissertation committee. DE paperwork must be approved before the QE application is submitted. The exam will focus on the Prospectus and the Qualifying Exam reading list. The bibliography of the prospectus will normally overlap substantially with the Qualifying Exam reading list.
A Report on the Doctoral Qualifying Examination - PhD must be submitted withing 72 hours of the exam. Upon successful completion submit your Advancement to Candidacy application.
Click here for the Handbook for Graduate Study in English . This document includes departmental policies and procedures concerned with graduate study.
The Berkeley English Department offers a wide-ranging Ph.D. program, engaging in all historical periods of British and American literature, Anglophone literature, and critical and cultural theory. The program aims to assure that students gain a broad knowledge of literature in English as well as the highly-developed skills in scholarship and criticism necessary to do solid and innovative work in their chosen specialized fields.
Please note that the department does not offer a Master’s Degree program or a degree program in Creative Writing. Students can, however, petition for an M.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing upon completion of the Ph.D. course requirements (one of which must be a graduate writing workshop) and submission of a body of creative work.
Students interested in combining a Ph.D. in English with studies in another discipline may pursue Designated Emphases or Concurrent Degrees in a number of different fields
Normative time to complete the program is six years. The first two years are devoted to fulfilling the course and language requirements. The third year is spent preparing for and taking the Ph.D. oral qualifying examination. The fourth through sixth years are devoted to researching and writing the prospectus and dissertation.
The general goal of the first two years is to assure that the students have a broad and varied knowledge of the fields of British and American literature in their historical dimensions, and are also familiar with a wide range of literary forms, critical approaches, and scholarly methods. Students will complete twelve courses distributed as follows:
(A thirteenth required course in pedagogy can be taken later.) Students who have done prior graduate course work may transfer up to three courses for credit toward the 12-course requirement. Up to five of the 12 courses may be taken in other departments.
Students must demonstrate either proficiency in two foreign languages or advanced knowledge in one foreign language before the qualifying examination. There are no "canonical languages" in the department. Rather, each specifies which languages are to count, how they relate to the student's intellectual interests, and on which level knowledge is to be demonstrated. "Proficiency" is understood as the ability to translate (with a dictionary) a passage of about 300 words into idiomatic English prose in ninety minutes. The proficiency requirement may also be satisfied by completing one upper-division or graduate literature course in a foreign language. The advanced knowledge requirement is satisfied by completing two or three literature courses in the language with a grade of "B" or better.
At the end of the second year each student’s record is reviewed in its entirety to determine whether or not he or she is able and ready to proceed to the qualifying exam and the more specialized phase of the program.
Students are expected to take the qualifying examination within one year after completing course and language requirements. The qualifying exam is oral and is conducted by a committee of five faculty members. The exam lasts approximately two hours and consists of three parts: two comprehensive historical fields and a third field which explores a topic in preparation for the dissertation. The exam is meant both as a culmination of course work and as a test of readiness for the dissertation.
The prospectus consists of an essay and bibliography setting forth the nature of the research project, its relation to existing scholarship and criticism on the subject, and its anticipated value. Each candidate must have a prospectus conference with the members of their committee and the Graduate Chair to discuss the issues outlined in the proposal and to give final approval to the project. The prospectus should be approved within one or two semesters following the qualifying exam.
The dissertation is the culmination of the student's graduate career and is expected to be a substantial and original work of scholarship or criticism. Students within normative time complete the dissertation in their fourth through sixth years.
A/Prof Barbara Boswell ( [email protected] ) and Dr Bernard Fortuin ( [email protected] )
The Department of English Literary Studies supervises research degrees in a broad range of areas, from Early Modern to contemporary literature and theory. We specialise particularly in writings of and from South Africa and Africa and work closely with prospective students to develop a thesis topic that reflects their interests and allows them to make a substantive and innovative contribution to their research area.
Once accepted, students are assigned one (sometimes two) supervisor(s) who will offer them consistent intellectual support and guidance. In addition students are encouraged to take part in the intellectual life of the department and are given opportunities to attend workshops and seminars as well as teach and present on their own research. On occasion (in keeping with our increasingly interdisciplinary approach) we offer co-supervision with another department.
We appreciate that a PhD is an extremely serious undertaking and as such we read all applications closely and consult with colleagues to ensure that we have adequate supervisory capacity for your project. We encourage all applicants to read our staff’s research profiles in order to gauge the interface between their research interests and the specialisations of our teaching staff.
Many of our graduates have gone on to be leading researchers in their fields, teaching and holding senior management positions at major universities both locally and globally.
How to apply
The department enrolls an average of ten PhD students each year. Our small size allows us to offer a generous financial support package. We also offer a large and diverse graduate faculty with competence in a wide range of literary, theoretical and cultural fields. Each student chooses a special committee that works closely along side the student to design a course of study within the very broad framework established by the department. The program is extremely flexible in regard to course selection, the design of examinations and the election of minor subjects of concentration outside the department. English PhD students pursuing interdisciplinary research may include on their special committees faculty members from related fields such as comparative literature, medieval studies, Romance studies, German studies, history, classics, women’s studies, linguistics, theatre and performing arts, government, philosophy, and film and video studies.
The PhD candidate is normally expected to complete six or seven one-semester courses for credit in the first year of residence and a total of six or seven more in the second and third years. The program of any doctoral candidate’s formal and informal study, whatever his or her particular interests, should be comprehensive enough to ensure familiarity with:
Areas in which students may have major or minor concentrations include African-American literature, American literature to 1865, American literature after 1865, American studies (a joint program with the field of history), colonial and postcolonial literatures, cultural studies, dramatic literature, English poetry, the English Renaissance to 1660, lesbian, bisexual and gay literary studies, literary criticism and theory, the nineteenth century, Old and Middle English, prose fiction, the Restoration and the eighteenth century, the twentieth century, and women's literature.
By the time a doctoral candidate enters the fourth semester of graduate study, the special committee must decide whether he or she is qualified to proceed toward the PhD. Students are required to pass their Advancement to Candidacy Examination before their fourth year of study, prior to the dissertation.
PhD Program specifics can be viewed here: PhD Timeline PhD Procedural Guide
Every graduate student selects a special committee of faculty advisors who work intensively with the student in selecting courses and preparing and revising the dissertation. The committee is comprised of at least three Cornell faculty members: a chair, and typically two minor members usually from the English department, but very often representing an interdisciplinary field. The university system of special committees allows students to design their own courses of study within a broad framework established by the department, and it encourages a close working relationship between professors and students, promoting freedom and flexibility in the pursuit of the graduate degree. The special committee for each student guides and supervises all academic work and assesses progress in a series of meetings with the students.
At Cornell, teaching is considered an integral part of training in academia. The field requires a carefully supervised teaching experience of at least one year for every doctoral candidate as part of the program requirements. The Department of English, in conjunction with the John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, offers excellent training for beginning teachers and varied and interesting teaching in the university-wide First-Year Writing Program. The courses are writing-intensive and may fall under such general rubrics as “Portraits of the Self,” “American Literature and Culture,” “Shakespeare,” and “Cultural Studies,” among others. A graduate student may also serve as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate lecture course taught by a member of the Department of English faculty.
Each student and special committee will decide what work in foreign language is most appropriate for a student’s graduate program and scholarly interests. Some students’ doctoral programs require extensive knowledge of a single foreign language and literature; others require reading ability in two or more foreign languages. A student may be asked to demonstrate competence in foreign languages by presenting the undergraduate record, taking additional courses in foreign languages and literature, or translating and discussing documents related to the student’s work. Students are also normally expected to provide evidence of having studied the English language through courses in Old English, the history of the English language, grammatical analysis or the application of linguistic study to metrics or to literary criticism. Several departments at Cornell offer pertinent courses in such subjects as descriptive linguistics, psycholinguistics and the philosophy of language.
All PhD degree candidates are guaranteed five years of funding (including a stipend , a full tuition fellowship and student health insurance):
Students have also successfully competed for Buttrick-Crippen Fellowship, Society for the Humanities Fellowships, American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), Shin Yong-Jin Graduate Fellowships, Provost’s Diversity Fellowships, fellowships in recognition of excellence in teaching, and grants from the Graduate School to help with the cost of travel to scholarly conferences and research collections.
The application for Fall 2025 admission will open on September 1, 2024 and close at 11:59pm EST on December 1, 2024.
Please do not reach out directly to faculty with inquires, instead email [email protected] , if you have questions.
Our application process reflects the field’s commitment to considering the whole person and their potential to contribute to our scholarly community. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of academic preparation (e.g., performance in relevant courses, completion of substantive, independent research project). An applicant’s critical and creative potential will be considered: applicants should demonstrate interest in extensive research and writing and include a writing sample that reveals a capacity to argue persuasively, demonstrate the ability to synthesize a broad range of materials, as well as offer fresh insights into a problem or text. The committee will also consider whether an applicant demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity and offers a substantive explanation for why study at Cornell is especially compelling (e.g., a discussion of faculty research and foci). Admissions committees will consider the entire application carefully, including statements and critical writing, as well as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume/cv (if provided). Please view the requirements and procedures listed below, if you are interested in being considered for our PhD in English Language and Literature program.
Eligibility: Applicants must currently have, or expect to have, at least a BA or BS (or the equivalent) in any field before matriculation. International students, please verify degree equivalency here . Applicants are not required to meet a specified GPA minimum.
To Apply: All applications and supplemental materials must be submitted online through the Graduate School application system . While completing your application, you may save and edit your data. Once you click submit, your application will be closed for changes. Please proofread your materials carefully. Once you pay and click submit, you will not be able to make any changes or revisions.
Deadline: December 1st, 11:59pm EST. This deadline is firm. No applications, additional materials, or revisions will be accepted after the deadline.
PhD Program Application Requirements Checklist
Application Fee: Visit the Graduate School for information regarding application fees, payment options, and fee waivers .
Document Identification: Please do not put your social security number on any documents.
Status Inquiries: Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. You will also be able to check the completion status of your application in your account. If vital sections of your application are missing, we will notify you via email after the Dec. 1 deadline and allow you ample time to provide the missing materials. Please do not inquire about the status of your application.
Credential/Application Assessments: The Admission Review Committee members are unable to review application materials or applicant credentials prior to official application submission. Once the committee has reviewed applications and made admissions decisions, they will not discuss the results or make any recommendations for improving the strength of an applicant’s credentials. Applicants looking for feedback are advised to consult with their undergraduate advisor or someone else who knows them and their work.
Review Process: Application review begins after the submission deadline. Notification of admissions decisions will be made by email by the end of February.
Connecting with Faculty and/or Students: Unfortunately, due to the volume of inquiries we receive, faculty and current students are not available to correspond with potential applicants prior to an offer of admission. Applicants who are offered admission will have the opportunity to meet faculty and students to have their questions answered prior to accepting. Staff and faculty are also not able to pre-assess potential applicant’s work outside of the formal application process. Please email [email protected] instead, if you have questions.
Visiting: The department does not offer pre-admission visits or interviews. Admitted applicants will be invited to visit the department, attend graduate seminars and meet with faculty and students before making the decision to enroll.
Transfer Credits: Students matriculating with an MA degree may, at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies, receive credit for up to two courses once they begin our program.
Contact [email protected]
UCL English
One of the highest-ranking English Departments in the UK, UCL provides fantastic opportunities for PhD students to study in the heart of literary London, with access to vast quantities of resources and research materials, and a high number of academic staff working on a diverse range of specialist topics.
Note that you should identify a prospective supervisor yourself (see our list of staff ) and contact them before you make your formal application, to check that they are in a position to support the project that you are proposing.
Dr Anthony Ossa-Richardson ( [email protected] ) is the English Department's Graduate Tutor. Application enquiries can also be directed to Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ), Senior Education Administrator.
With access to a vast collection of archival materials, and world-leading supervision in a wide range of literary periods and topics, UCL is one of the best universities in which to study for an English PhD.
There are normally about 35 students undertaking research degrees in the department. Graduate students initially register for the MPhil degree, but usually in the second year, when a realistic and workable thesis has been confirmed, and work-in-progress and a future plan have been discussed, students are upgraded from MPhil to PhD status.
Students accepted for admission are given a principal supervisor with whom the student will work closely during the course of the degree. A secondary supervisor is also appointed to provide additional advice. Great importance is attached to matching student and supervisor (for more on this, please see the 'Applying for a Place' section below), and ensuring that students' progress is well monitored. Students meet either one or other supervisor approximately ten times during the academic year. The Department is eager to ensure PhD completion rates within four years, and therefore reviews each student's progress by means of an interview at the end of each year. When completed and submitted, the thesis is defended in an oral examination.
Students are expected to complete the PhD within three or four years of registration, and the minimum period of registration is two years. Part-time students complete the degree within five to seven years of registration.
The Department offers MPhil/PhD supervision in a wide range of topics, including English and English-related language and literature from Old English to the present day. Information on the research interests of staff can be found here (click on the name of each member of staff to access their personal profile).
Research Resources
UCL Library has outstanding physical and digital collections for literary research, as well as specialist materials in its excellent Special Collections department. Among these are the George Orwell Archive; Little Magazines; the Routledge and Kegan Paul Archives (publishing history); the Brougham Papers and papers of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (19th-century liberalism); and the Chadwick Papers (19th-century sanitary reform). UCL Library also has superb holdings in London history. For language topics the Department is especially well placed, as it houses the world-renowned Survey of English Usage.
Other London archives with manuscript and rare book resources relevant to the Department’s research interests include (but are by no means limited to):
Research is expected to take students into numerous libraries and archives, not only within London, but also throughout Britain, and often internationally.
Research Environment
The Department places great emphasis on opportunities for students to discuss their work and participate in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. There is a programme of regular departmental Research Seminars at which PhD students are invited to present their work; speakers may also include members of the department’s academic staff and invited guests. The department also hosts a seminar series on Race, Power, and Poetics , and a wide range of informal discussion groups and reading groups.
The Institute of Advanced Studies (part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities) hosts an exciting programme of research events and activities. UCL students also have access to the abundance of seminars and conferences available across London, including those of the Institute of English Studies at the University of London.
The English Department’s graduate students organise a one-day conference each year; many of the papers delivered at the conference are published in Moveable Type , the Department's graduate-led online journal. There is a Graduate Common Room in the English Department. Many PhD students spend much time working at the British Library, to which UCL has unrivalled proximity, which also functions as a hub for academic networking.
Details of current PhD students and their projects can be found here .
Your research proposal does not need to be long (typically somewhere between 800-1000 words). The most important things we are looking for you to explain are:
1) What primary literature/texts will you be studying?
2) What is your idea/approach to this literature?
3) How does your project fit in to the secondary literature/criticism on this topic?
4) Practical details, like which archives you will use, roughly how long you will spend on each chapter, what each chapter may be about, etc
5) That you have considered how the chosen project will work within a 100,000 word limit (so it's clearly not something so small that it's 20,000 words maximum, nor have you chosen something so big that you couldn't possibly do it justice in 500,000).
Proposals and intentions often change a little/quite a lot once they are on the course, but the important thing is just to demonstrate that you have thought about the practicalities and you have a clear, viable research topic that we could supervise in the Department, and which you could complete within three years.
Please note that you should always contact us before submitting a formal online application (see step 1 below).
Applicants should usually expect to begin their studies in September at the start of an academic year (although in some cases, a January start can be discussed). UCL’s application process usually opens in mid-October, and you are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as there are a number of stages to the process.
It is essential to understand that your application for a place must be fully processed, and an offer of a place at UCL secured, before you can apply to any of the various funding schemes (see under ‘Applying for Funding’ below). You should allow time for this, and for us to advise you on your funding application(s). For this reason your full, formal application for a place via UCL’s online system must be submitted by Friday 5 January 2024 at the latest . This is an internal departmental deadline and supersedes any dates given on external websites.
We strongly recommend that all candidates should apply for funding; but those candidates who intend to self-fund may apply for entry in September 2025 at any time up to 31 March 2025.
The steps for applying for a place take some time, and are as follows:
1. Contact a member of staff in the English Department to establish whether they are available and interested in supervising your project. They may ask to see your CV and a brief research proposal (see above, ‘The Research Proposal’). You can find details of the research interests of individual members of staff here (click on each name to see the staff member’s profile). If you are not sure who to approach, you may consult the English Department’s Graduate Tutor, Dr Anthony Ossa-Richardson ( [email protected] ).
Please be aware that members of staff cannot give detailed advice on how to improve your research proposal. This is because evaluation of the proposal is an important part of the process for the selection of candidates, so it must be your own independent work. If we invite you for interview (step 3 below) this will be an opportunity for you to discuss your proposal with your prospective supervisor. If we offer you a place (step 4 below), we will then advise you on how to make your research proposal as strong as possible for your funding application(s).
2. If you have been encouraged to make a full, formal online application, please do so, following the instructions here . Your application must include a research proposal, two references, a CV, and transcripts from your previous academic courses. If you intend to proceed to funding applications, your application for a place must be submitted by 8th January 2024 . When you submit your application, please also send your research proposal and academic CV directly by email to the English Department’s Graduate Tutor, Dr Anthony Ossa-Richardson ( [email protected] ).
Applying as an international student
Further information about English language requirements and applying as an international student can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/applying-international-student .
3. The English Department will consider the strength of each applicant’s proposed research project, the applicant's grades in undergraduate and Masters level study, and the suitability (and availability) of academic staff in the Department to supervise the proposed project. If we decide to proceed with the application, the applicant will be invited to a short interview to discuss the research proposal in more detail. This will normally be with the applicant's proposed primary supervisor, a potential secondary supervisor, and/or the Tutor for Graduates. UK applicants will normally be interviewed at UCL; international students, or those who are unable to attend for other reasons, will be interviewed online. Please try to ensure that you are available for interview from November to January.
4. If your interview is successful, we will offer you a place. You can now proceed to funding applications (see ‘Applying for Funding’ below). PLEASE NOTE: it is your responsibility to be aware of the deadlines for different funding schemes, and to ensure that there is time for your application for a place to be fully processed before you proceed to funding applications.
Scholarships for which you may be eligible to apply are listed here .
Studentships for PhDs in English at UCL are available from LAHP (the London Arts and Humanities Partnership), funded by the AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council). LAHP is a consortium of Higher Education Institutions in London. More information, including eligibility for a studentship and how to apply, is available from their website . Around 10% of applications for studentships are successful.
Applicants who are interested in LAHP funding must also have submitted a completed PhD application to UCL by Wednesday 8th January 2025. Once we have confirmed your offer of a place, you must then submit a completed LAHP application form, including the supervisor statement, by their deadline ( TBC, January 2025 ). Your prospective supervisor will advise you on how to make your LAHP application as strong as possible. It is your responsibility to allow sufficient time for all of these processes.
If you have any further questions about the LAHP application procedure, please email Ms Natasha Clark ( [email protected] )
UCL Research Excellence Scholarships aim to attract high-quality students to undertake research at UCL. Up to 40 UCL Research Excellence Scholarships (RES) are available to prospective and current research students from any country.
More details about the application process for the Research Excellence Scholarships, including deadlines, can be found here .
The Wolfson Foundation is offering six postgraduate research awards in the humanities for 2024/25. These will be for three areas in history, literature and languages.
Details about the award scheme and the application process can be found here .
Applicants should send the mandatory documents to Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ) by the end of 10th January 2025.
UCL's Research Opportunity Scholarship (UCL-ROS) supports UK BAME postgraduate research degree students. Details about eligibility, the award and the application process can be found here .
Each student works closely with their supervisor to develop research skills specific to their project. Regular completion of an online research log helps the student and supervisor to assess training needs.
The English Department provides a course in PhD Skills Training. The first term is on Research Skills and Methods, and is aimed at first-year students, who are required to attend. The second term is on Professional Academic Skills, and is open to all PhD students.
Across UCL, PhD training is co-ordinated by the Doctoral School . The Doctoral Skills Development Programme is delivered via the Inkpath platform, and benefits from participation by the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network , a consortium of leading Higher Education Institutions.
Training courses and events are also available from LAHP (the London Arts and Humanities Partnership). LAHP-funded students are given priority for booking, but places may also be available to other students.
PhD students who are making good progress with their research project are offered teaching opportunities. Those in their second year are normally offered experience in teaching one-to-one tutorials. Those in their third year are normally offered experience in teaching seminars.
PhD students in English also work with UCL’s Access and Widening Participation team to deliver a highly successful Summer School for Year 12 school students.
PhD graduates from the Department have an excellent record of securing employment in institutions of higher education. In recent years PhD alumni have progressed to academic positions here at UCL, as well as at Oxford and Cambridge, in the wider University of London, and at other universities across the UK. Others have successfully gained international appointments, in destinations including the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Our PhD graduates are also well placed to pursue careers outside academia, as the skills in research, analysis, writing, and communication obtained during the PhD transfer easily to high-level work in many sectors.
Please see the UCL prospectus page for the MPhil/PhD programme for full details and how to apply.
For further information, please email Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ).
We do accept some visiting students, if there is a suitable academic to act as supervisor. The first step is to identify someone who looks like a suitable supervisor by looking through the list of academic staff yourself: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/english/people/academic-staff . Then, you should contact them with your research proposal to see if they think they would be well-positioned to supervise and will be available to do so over the period of time you’d like to visit. If they are happy to supervise you, you must submit an application via our online system. Further details about this and the link for applying can be found on this page: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international/study-abroad-and-exchange/visiting-research-students .
"I am currently completing my PhD on Shakespeare. The English department at UCL is a very special place: the academic staff are dedicated, supportive. I would whole-heartedly recommend applying to study English at UCL."
Shani Bans, PhD Candidate
The graduate program in English provides you with a broad knowledge in the discipline, including critical and cultural theory and literary history. This solid foundation enables you to choose your own path based on the wide variety of areas of concentration. Our flexible program allows you to take courses outside the department to further explore your chosen field(s). Our program emphasizes excellence in writing, innovative scholarship, and eloquent presentations—important skills you will need in your future profession. The program and its faculty are committed both to diversity in its student body and in the diversity of thought and scholarship.
Examples of student theses and dissertations include “The Write to Stay Home: Southern Black Literature from the Great Depression to Early Twenty-first Century,” “Profaning Theater: The Drama of Religion on the Modernists Stage,” and “Sentimental Borders: Genre and Geography in the Literature of Civil War and Reconstruction.”
Graduates have secured faculty positions at institutions such as Brown University, Columbia University, and University of California, Los Angeles. Others have begun their careers with leading organizations such as Google and McKinsey & Company.
Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of English , and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .
Unspecified | Medieval | Renaissance/Early Modern | 18th Century/Enlightenment | 19th Century British/Romantics/Victorian | Early American (to 1900) | 20th Century British | 20th Century American | Criticism and Theory | The English Language | Transnational Anglophone/Postcolonial | African American Literature | Drama | Poetry
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of English .
The writing samples (one primary and one secondary) are highly significant parts of the application. Applicants should submit 2 double-spaced, 15-page papers of no more than 5,000 words each, in 12-point type with 1-inch margins. The writing samples must be examples of critical writing (rather than creative writing) on subjects directly related to English. Applicants should not send longer papers with instructions to read an excerpt or excerpts but should edit the samples themselves so that they submit only 15 pages for each paper. Applicants who know the field in which they expect to specialize should, when possible, submit a primary writing sample related to that field.
The statement of purpose is not a personal statement and should not be heavily weighted down with autobiographical anecdotes. It should be no longer than 1,000 words. It should give the admissions committee a clear sense of the applicant's individual interests and strengths. Applicants need not indicate a precise field of specialization if they do not know, but it is helpful to know something about a candidate’s professional aspirations and sense of their own skills, as well as how the Harvard Department of English might help in attaining their goals. Those who already have a research topic in mind should outline it in detail, giving a sense of how they plan their progress through the program. Those who do not have a research topic should at least attempt to define the questions and interests they foresee driving their work over the next few years.
Standardized tests.
GRE General: Optional GRE Subject: Optional
While there are no specific prerequisites for admission, a strong language background helps to strengthen the application, and students who lack it should be aware that they will need to address these gaps during their first two years of graduate study.
While a candidate's overall GPA is important, it is more important to have an average of no lower than A- in literature (and related) courses. In addition, while we encourage applications from candidates in programs other than English, they must have both the requisite critical skills and a foundation in English literature for graduate work in English. Most of our successful candidates have some knowledge of all the major fields of English literary study and advanced knowledge of the field in which they intend to study.
Theses & Dissertations for English
See list of English faculty
Questions about the program.
Awards: PhD
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: English Literature
Join us online on 25 September to learn more about Scotland, the city of Edinburgh and postgraduate study at the University.
Find out more and register
Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research; and to make an original, positive contribution to learning in literature and related fields.
As the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, based in one of the largest and most diverse Schools in the University of Edinburgh, we are the ideal place for PhD study.
Our interdisciplinary environment brings together specialists in all periods and genres of literature and literary analysis.
Based on our performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF), over 90 per cent of our research and impact is classed as world-leading and internationally excellent by Research Professional. 69 per cent is graded at the world-leading level – the highest of REF’s four categories.
In Times Higher Education's REF analysis, English at Edinburgh is ranked fifth in the UK (out of more than 90 institutions) for:
Given the breadth and depth of our expertise, we are able to support students wishing to develop research projects in any field of Anglophone literary studies. These include American studies, literary and critical theory, the history of the book, gender and sexuality studies, and global Anglophone literatures - where our specialisms include Pacific, African, South Asian, and African-American writing.
We have particular strengths in each of the main periods of English and Scottish Literature:
Emergent research themes in the department include the digital humanities, the economic humanities, the environmental humanities and literature and medicine.
Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between disciplines and/or languages.
Over the course of your PhD, you’ll be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of usually between 80,000 and 100,000 words.
You will be awarded your doctorate if your thesis is judged to be of an appropriate standard, and your research makes a definite contribution to knowledge.
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.
Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research.
Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the Careers Service, and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you’ll find a range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills.
You will also have access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.
As part of our research community, you will be immersed in a world of knowledge exchange, with lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work.
Activities range from talks by visiting speakers and work-in-progress seminars, to reading groups, conferences, workshops, performances, online journals and forums, many of which are led by PhD candidates.
Highlights include student reading for the James Tait Black Prizes, Britain's oldest literary awards which typically involve reading submissions across fiction and biography and advising the judges on the shortlists.
Our graduates tell us that they value the friendliness of the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the connections they make here and the in-depth guidance they receive from our staff, who are published experts in their field.
A UNESCO World City of Literature, Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study, write, publish, discuss and perform prose, poetry and drama.
Take a PhD with us and you will be based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) in the historic centre of this world-leading festival city.
You will have access to the University’s many literary treasures. These include the libraries of:
The Centre for Research Collections holds the W.H. Auden collection; the Corson Collection of works by and about Sir Walter Scott; and the Ramage collection of poetry pamphlets.
It also holds a truly exceptional collection of early Shakespeare quartos and other early modern printed plays put together by the 19th century Shakespearean James Halliwell-Phillipps, the correspondence of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle (the focus of one of the major editorial projects in Victorian studies of the last half-century), and the extensive Laing collection of medieval and early modern manuscripts, as well as letters and papers by - and relating to - authors including:
Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated PhD study space in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
Look inside the PhD study space in LLC
Our buildings are close to the National Library of Scotland (where collections include the Bute Collection of early modern English drama and the John Murray Archive), Edinburgh Central Library, Scottish Poetry Library, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Writers’ Museum and a fantastic range of publishing houses, bookshops, and theatres.
We have strong links with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which annually welcomes around 1,000 authors to our literary city.
These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.
A UK masters, or its international equivalent, with a mark of at least 65% in your English literature dissertation of at least 10,000 words.
If your masters programme did not include a dissertation or included a dissertation that was unmarked or less than 10,000 words, you will be expected to produce an exceptional research proposal and personal statement to show your ability to undertake research at the level required by this programme.
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)
Find out more about our language requirements:
Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:
Featured funding.
There are a number of scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates on this PhD programme, including awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Please be advised that many scholarships have more than one application stage, and early deadlines.
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
This programme is not currently accepting applications. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.
Start date: September 2024
Awards: PhD (36 mth FT, 72 mth PT)
Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.
Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:
Round | Application deadline | Places awarded by |
---|---|---|
1 | 24 November 2023 | 15 December 2023 |
2 | 30 April 2024 | 14 June 2024 |
The online application process involves the completion of a web form and the submission of supporting documents.
For a PhD programme, you should include:
Before you formally apply for this PhD, you should look at the pre-application information and guidance on the programme website.
This will help you decide if this programme is right for you, and help us gain a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.
The guidance will also give you practical advice for writing your research proposal – one of the most important parts of your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
If you are considering pursuing a PhD in English Literature, you may be currently grappling with deciding which thesis /research topic to select. To assist you with this endeavour, I have carefully curated a list of the most noteworthy research topics for your consideration. You are presented with the option of selecting one of the suggested topics or utilizing it as a source of inspiration to develop a distinctive research topic of your own.
Choosing the right doctoral dissertation can be daunting, especially when no expert guidance or personal inclination towards a particular field exists. It is vital to thoroughly discuss with one’s mentor before finalizing a topic, especially if one is interested in British poetry or Tribal literature. This will ensure the dissertation topic is well-researched and aligns with the student’s academic and professional goals.
Choosing the right topic for a PhD in English language and literature is a challenging task that demands much cognitive and physical effort. A particularly formidable aspect of this process is identifying a suitable thesis topic, which may require several months or even years of research. Many people find it difficult to decide because they need more relevant expertise to pick a topic that will stand out. Ultimately, selecting a distinguished dissertation or thesis topic is a crucial choice that demands thoughtful deliberation.
When selecting a topic for your phd research project, expanding your thinking and considering various options is imperative. It is recommended that you select a topic that piques your interest while also remaining realistic by choosing a topic that is related to your field and manageable to research. It is helpful to select a topic your advisor finds interesting and has knowledge about or one in which you already possess some expertise. Furthermore, it is advised that you select a unique topic that has yet to be extensively researched in the past. Thorough research and reliable sources are crucial for producing successful work in business or academia. Ensure your arguments are well-supported with evidence. Be aware of the local resources available to you and seek guidance from your mentor throughout the process.
Selecting the ideal research topic for a PhD in English Literature can be challenging. However, there are numerous potential topics available for research. Here are some guidelines to assist you in selecting the appropriate PhD research topic in English Literature:
Begin by identifying a poet or author who is relevant to your area of interest. Consult with your PhD supervisor to ensure the poet is suitable for research. Examine previous research areas to determine whether your chosen topic has been explored before. Consider exploring a new topic that has yet to be researched previously.
Determine if there are sufficient primary sources available for your chosen topic. Seek assistance from professors in your academic circle. Acquire relevant books on English Literature. Dedicate time to reading about your research topic and literary theories, and apply them to your PhD topic.
When selecting or finalizing a research topic, attending specialized lectures, workshops, and university interviews can be a valuable tool. These events provide insights and knowledge related to the researcher’s chosen topic. Interviews can take the form of meetings or lectures.
Attending numerous public lectures, book readings, and similar events related to the researcher’s topic of interest is recommended. If the researcher is still trying to decide their topic, it is advisable to interview as many experts as possible. Conducting a wide range of interviews and gathering diverse ideas before settling on a topic is crucial.
One-on-one interviews or meetings can be particularly advantageous. As the researcher, it is important to listen attentively during these sessions. The interviewer can offer guidance and insights that stimulate critical thinking. If an interviewer can inspire the researcher to think, imagine how the researcher’s writing will impact readers. It is essential to remember that people possess unique ideas to assist the researcher in their research.
We understand that composing an English literature research paper can be arduous. In light of this, we have compiled a comprehensive list of English research topics to facilitate the process. Please select a subject that piques your curiosity and can be thoroughly researched beyond the current literature. It is crucial to select a subject that is not only compelling but also deserves further investigation. Using this method for topic selection leads to a deeper understanding of the subject and the chance to contribute to the research community. It is imperative to scrutinize the selected topic meticulously before embarking on the writing process.
This blog has proven to be a valuable resource for you.
If you are still not sure about how to choose your research topic, then IdeaLaunch is the perfect place to get complete guidance for your research projects . Get a consultation from our experts to prepare a PhD research topic proposal , Call us at +91- 7904479887 / +91-7548889787
Tools and resources for ph.d. researchers to maximizing productivity.
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Genre Studies Latest Research Topics For PhD In English Literature. Cyberpunk Literature and the Technological Imagination. Evolution of the Bildungsroman in Modern Literature. Steampunk as a Subgenre: Victorian Aesthetics in Contemporary Works. Literary Journalism in the Digital Age: Challenges and Innovations.
Recent PhD Dissertations. Terekhov, Jessica (September 2022) -- "On Wit in Relation to Self-Division". Selinger, Liora (September 2022) -- "Romanticism, Childhood, and the Poetics of Explanation". Lockhart, Isabel (September 2022) -- "Storytelling and the Subsurface: Indigenous Fiction, Extraction, and the Energetic Present".
English Literature Research Paper Topics. This guide, centered on English literature research paper topics, serves as a comprehensive resource for students seeking to delve deep into the diverse epochs, authors, and themes that have shaped English literary tradition. Navigating the intricate tapestry of English literature offers scholars a ...
Literature Dissertation Topics. Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On June 7, 2024. A literature dissertation aims to contextualise themes, ideas, and interests that have grabbed a reader's interest and attention, giving them a more profound meaning through the movement of time within and outside cultures.
2023-2024. Postdramatic African Theater and Critique of Representation. Oluwakanyinsola Ajayi. Troubling Diaspora: Literature Across the Arabic Atlantic. Phoebe Carter. The Contrafacta of Thomas Watson and Simon Goulart: Resignifying the Polyphonic Song in 16th-century England and France. Joseph Gauvreau. Of Unsound Mind: Madness and Mental ...
The PhD in English and Related Literature is available on a full-time or part-time basis. Under the guidance of your supervisor, you'll complete a thesis of up to 80,000 words. A typical semester will involve a great deal of independent research, punctuated by meetings with your supervisor who will be able to suggest direction and address ...
Key course information. programme? Our research-active staff are at the forefront of knowledge in English literature, creative writing, film studies, translation studies, theoretical and applied linguistics, and literary and cultural studies. Our research concentrates on a range of periods, themes and subjects, spanning Medieval literature ...
The Department of English's Doctoral program in Literature offers advanced study and research in literary history, criticism, and theory, with excellent opportunities for interdepartmental and interdisciplinary study. Courses within the department cover major genres, periods, authors, and a broad range of methodological and theoretical approaches.
Theses/Dissertations from 2018. Beauty and the Beasts: Making Places with Literary Animals of Florida, Haili A. Alcorn. The Medievalizing Process: Religious Medievalism in Romantic and Victorian Literature, Timothy M. Curran. Seeing Trauma: The Known and the Hidden in Nineteenth-Century Literature, Alisa M. DeBorde.
The Center for Humanities at Tufts fosters interdisciplinary humanities work in comparative literature, comparative religion, world history, philosophy, anthropology, and the arts, to innovate new research and reflection. Provides the complete text of the standard guide to Western mythology. Online journal devoted to English literature of the ...
About this degree. With access to vast collections of research materials and supervision from world-leading experts* in a wide range of literary periods and topics, UCL provides an exceptionally strong environment in which to study for an English PhD. UCL English Department has specialists in every period of English and American literature, as well as English language, with an outstanding ...
Here are my tips on how to rightly choose a PhD research topic in English Literature. Choose the right poet or author that interests your topic. Ask PhD. supervisor the relevance of the poet to research. Search for some areas of research taken in the past. Choose a new topic that was not researched in the past.
The PhD in English (literature) at ASU is a premier graduate program in the U.S. with strong interdisciplinary ties and faculty links to research centers on campus and in the state, including the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, the Institute for Humanities Research, and the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing.
Contact: Aaron Barstow. Graduate Program Coordinator, Ph.D. Program in Literature. [email protected] (530) 752-2738. Pronouns: he/they. Expand All. |. Collapse All. Students in our Ph.D. program gain advanced knowledge of literature from the British Middle Ages and colonial America to global/postcolonial and U.S. contemporary, as well as ...
Students will complete twelve courses distributed as follows: 1) English 200, "Problems in the Study of Literature". 2) Medieval through 16 th -Century. 3) 17 th - through 18 th -Century. 4) 19 th -Century. 5) 20 th -Century. 6) a course organized in terms other than chronological coverage. 7-12) Elective courses.
Take your time in composing your research proposal, carefully considering the requirements outlined below. Your proposal should not be more than 2,000 words. PhD degrees are awarded on the basis of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The 'Summary of roles and responsibilities' in the University's Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research ...
Ideas for Writing English Papers. Research topics on English literature initially start off broad and then narrow down and you come up with your thesis. Using any of the research topics listed (gender, comparisons, historical background, politics, and religion) can take you almost anywhere. Choose your general topic based on the literature ...
Course convenor. A/Prof Barbara Boswell ([email protected]) and Dr Bernard Fortuin ([email protected]) The Department of English Literary Studies supervises research degrees in a broad range of areas, from Early Modern to contemporary literature and theory. We specialise particularly in writings of and from South Africa and ...
The PhD candidate is normally expected to complete six or seven one-semester courses for credit in the first year of residence and a total of six or seven more in the second and third years. The program of any doctoral candidate's formal and informal study, whatever his or her particular interests, should be comprehensive enough to ensure ...
The Department offers MPhil/PhD supervision in a wide range of topics, including English and English-related language and literature from Old English to the present day. Information on the research interests of staff can be found here (click on the name of each member of staff to access their personal profile). Research Resources
The graduate program in English provides you with a broad knowledge in the discipline, including critical and cultural theory and literary history. This solid foundation enables you to choose your own path based on the wide variety of areas of concentration. Our flexible program allows you to take courses outside the department to further ...
Be inspired by the range of PhD research in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Over the course of your PhD, you'll be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of usually between 80,000 and 100,000 words. You will be awarded your doctorate if your ...
If you are still not sure about how to choose your research topic, then IdeaLaunch is the perfect place to get complete guidance for your research projects. Get a consultation from our experts to prepare a PhD research topic proposal, Call us at +91- 7904479887 / +91-7548889787.