PhD English Literature at Swansea University

Programme overview

A PhD in English Literature at Swansea University (Singleton Park Campus), involving a substantial independent research project of publishable standard.

Department: School of Culture and Communication | Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | Intake: October, January, April or July | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

A thesis of up to 100,000 words demonstrating original research, followed by a viva. There are no taught PhD classes, though you may attend relevant MA modules on request. Supervision covers most areas of literature from the Middle Ages to the present. You may have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year.

Career pathways

Can lead to a career in academia or to employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD: a 2.1 undergraduate degree and a master's degree with at least Merit overall; applicants with a UK first-class honours degree and no master's are considered individually. MPhil: an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or equivalent non-UK qualification). English language for international applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.5 (or recognised equivalent). One reference is required.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,006 a year (2025/26). UK student full-time annual rate (2025/26 entry point); part-time is half. Charged over the minimum candidature period. Bench fees may apply. Source

International applicants: GBP 20,250 a year (2026/27). Full-time (PhD, 3 years); year 1 Source

Intake: October, January, April or July

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

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