English Literature

Entry requirements

Master's degree or equivalent in English literature or literature in other languages, usually with an average of at least 65% for UK MAs.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in English Literature or related subject, for example literature in other languages.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

As part of your application you also need to provide

A viable research proposal. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

A sample of written work, eg an essay or dissertation chapter of approximately 3000-5000 words

Details of the research areas can be found on the Department’s find a supervisor webpage. If you are interested in applying for one of our PhD programmes, you may wish to informally contact a potential supervisor for guidance on the proposal prior to submitting your application.

If you submit an application you should include the names of any potential supervisors that you have identified

Months of entry

October

Course content

Why Lancaster?

• Develop your own scholarly, theoretical, critical, or even critical-creative, voice through one-to-one support from widely published scholars and critics.
• Join a large diverse community of PhD students studying literature and/or related texts from the Medieval to contemporary
• Enjoy our rich programme of free literary events on campus and in Lancaster’s historic Castle Quarter
• Study online or join us in Lancaster on the doorstep to the Lake District, home of the Romantic poets, and inspiration for many writers since
• Study on campus in the University Library’s bespoke Postgraduate Study Space, or in the Castle Quarter within the University’s Postgraduate Study Hub at The Storey, the city’s Victorian-build arts venue
• Benefit from our partnerships with The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere and Lancaster’s long-running LitFest

Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

You will have access to a rich array of libraries, archives and special collections, enabling you not only to develop as a scholar, or critic but also, if you wish, to develop skills relating to work as an archivist, librarian, or curator.

Support and events

You will meet regularly on a one-to-one basis with your tutor to discuss your work, and this can be either online or in person.

Our literary connections are embedded in the city and nearby Lake District. Many of our special literary events, such as talks from visiting scholars and authors, take place in The Storey, Lancaster’s Victorian Art Centre or at Lancaster’s spectacular medieval Castle.

The archive-rich Wordsworth Museum at Grasmere is usually the venue for our annual study retreat day, and the Department’s May Gathering, a social event, is usually held at Lancaster’s ancient Priory, as is our annual October Lecture.

It is entirely possible to complete this PhD programme online via distance learning

We seek, when possible, to offer students the opportunity to undertake limited, but paid, undergraduate teaching at some point during their programme of study.

Supervision

Before formally applying, we would encourage you to learn more about our many areas of research interests, and get in touch us with by email.

Careers

With our extensive links with not only the academic world but also publishers, literary festivals, and museums, we can help you prepare for the future that best suits you.

Many of our students go on to publish their doctoral work and some go into academic posts at universities.

Others have gone on to successful careers in other areas, including:

• Publishing
• Arts management
• Archival work
• Media
• University administration

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Learn more at our Fees and Funding page.