English

Entry requirements

You’re normally expected to a have a Masters degree in a relevant subject (with an award of merit or above) and a first or upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree in a subject area relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Months of entry

January, September, May

Course content

From Medieval and Renaissance writing to the 18th century to the present, from the novel to poetry to modernism, postmodernism and the contemporary scene – we're strongly committed to the interdisciplinary study of literature.

English was ranked 9th in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF). We’re one of the largest graduate communities in the country, with over 200 students and more than 50 faculty. You’ll benefit from expert supervision, teacher training and research workshops, as well as a lively annual roster of symposia, conferences and guest lectures.

You have the opportunity to look at literature in relation to philosophy, visual culture and the history of ideas. Your project could focus on:

• postcolonial theory
• feminist theory
• gay and lesbian criticism
• queer theory
• recent developments in psychoanalytic, Marxist, poststructuralist and ‘new historicist’ criticism.

Qualification and course duration

PhD