PhD Creative Writing at University of Essex

PhD in Creative Writing in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, with supervision in all genres alongside published novelists, poets and playwrights on staff and a programme of visiting writers through the Essex Book Festival. Part-time study is also available.

Department: Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (School of Language, Literature, and Media)  |  Duration: 3 - 4 years full-time  |  Intake: January 2027, April 2027, October 2027, January 2028, April 2028  |  Study mode: full-time; part-time  |  Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Research degree without a taught structure: year one defines the aims, theories and methods of the thesis with a bibliography and timetable; you are confirmed for progression at a Confirmation Board in year two and complete a thesis of around 80,000 words, defended in an oral examination.

Career pathways

Graduates have gone on to careers as writers, scholars, university lecturers, teachers, publishers, publishers' editors, journalists, arts administrators, theatre artistic directors, drama advisers and translators.

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