PhD The Contemporary Novel: Practice as Research at University of Kent

Programme overview

The PhD in The Contemporary Novel: Practice as Research centres on writing a full-length literary novel of between 90,000 and 150,000 words, which stands as the research contribution. It is taught in the School of English at the Canterbury campus. A 3,000-5,000-word preface essay and a full bibliography accompany the novel instead of a long critical thesis.

Department: School of English | Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time, 6 to 7 years part-time | Intake: September, January, April | Study mode: full-time or part-time (Canterbury) | Location: Canterbury, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

You write the novel under a supervisory team while taking research methods programmes, with regular supervisions, reading groups, research seminars and a spring-term research skills seminar series.

Career pathways

Graduates of the School of English have gone on to work in academia, journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching, as well as banking, marketing analysis and project management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Postgraduate research (PhD): a first or upper-second class honours degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant subject or equivalent and, normally, a taught MA of an excellent standard (Distinction or high Merit). Additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may be taken into account. Places are limited and an informal approach to potential supervisors before applying is recommended. International applicants: English language at high B2 CEFR, for example IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component or PTE Academic 67 with at least 59 in each sub-test, or a UK or majority English-speaking-country degree. Students needing a student visa cannot study part-time unless the course is distance or blended.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). Guide figure for new and returning UK postgraduate research full-time; 2027/28 fee not yet set Source

International applicants: GBP 21,950 a year (2027/28). Full-time annual tuition fee from the 2027/28 fee table Source

Intake: September, January, April

Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time, 6 to 7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply

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