Durham University campus

Arts & Humanities

PhD English Studies at Durham University

Durham University, United Kingdom

Programme overview

The PhD in English Studies at Durham is a research degree supervised by a primary and a secondary supervisor, examined by a thesis of up to 100,000 words and an oral examination (viva). Research can span medieval and early modern literature, Romanticism and nineteenth-century studies, modernism and postmodernism, postcolonial literature, gender and sexuality studies, literature and the environment, medical humanities and digital humanities.

Department: Department of English Studies  |  Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time  |  Study mode: full-time (part-time option)  |  Location: Durham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Independent research towards a 100,000-word thesis, with a formal progression review at 9 months, confirmation at 21 months and a thesis draft at 33 months for full-time students. Departmental training workshops cover digital skills and writing for publication.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a good honours degree (at least a 2:1) or equivalent from a recognised university and a Masters degree from a recognised university. International applicants: normally IELTS 7.0 overall with no component below 6.5, or equivalent accepted by Durham. Application requires a personal statement, academic transcripts, two academic references, proof of English proficiency (if applicable), a research proposal and a written sample of about 1,200 words on a literary subject.

Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

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