24 monthsProgramme duration
16,700 GBPTuition Fee/year
02 Jul, 2026Application Deadline
Jan, Apr, SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
English Language and Literature
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in English Literature, supported by the expertise of our staff.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of English literature, with a strong focus on Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, Romantic and Victorian studies; modernism; women's writing; science and the creative imagination; classical reception; film and theatre; and popular culture.
You’ll conduct your research in a collaborative environment with strong links to research networks in our University and the wider community. We host and take part in many research oriented events for staff and postgraduate students, including our regular Faculty and departmental research seminars, international conferences and the bi-annual Skinner Young lecture on Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. Our seminars will give you the chance to present papers in a supportive setting, and you’ll have the chance to attend graduate research seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English.
These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support – we allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of English literature, with a strong focus on Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, Romantic and Victorian studies; modernism; women's writing; science and the creative imagination; classical reception; film and theatre; and popular culture.
You’ll conduct your research in a collaborative environment with strong links to research networks in our University and the wider community. We host and take part in many research oriented events for staff and postgraduate students, including our regular Faculty and departmental research seminars, international conferences and the bi-annual Skinner Young lecture on Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. Our seminars will give you the chance to present papers in a supportive setting, and you’ll have the chance to attend graduate research seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English.
These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support – we allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Programme overview
Main Subject
English Language and Literature
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in English Literature, supported by the expertise of our staff.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of English literature, with a strong focus on Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, Romantic and Victorian studies; modernism; women's writing; science and the creative imagination; classical reception; film and theatre; and popular culture.
You’ll conduct your research in a collaborative environment with strong links to research networks in our University and the wider community. We host and take part in many research oriented events for staff and postgraduate students, including our regular Faculty and departmental research seminars, international conferences and the bi-annual Skinner Young lecture on Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. Our seminars will give you the chance to present papers in a supportive setting, and you’ll have the chance to attend graduate research seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English.
These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support – we allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of English literature, with a strong focus on Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, Romantic and Victorian studies; modernism; women's writing; science and the creative imagination; classical reception; film and theatre; and popular culture.
You’ll conduct your research in a collaborative environment with strong links to research networks in our University and the wider community. We host and take part in many research oriented events for staff and postgraduate students, including our regular Faculty and departmental research seminars, international conferences and the bi-annual Skinner Young lecture on Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. Our seminars will give you the chance to present papers in a supportive setting, and you’ll have the chance to attend graduate research seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English.
These events, along with our online environment, will help you connect with other research students from a range of disciplines.
You could also benefit from financial support – we allocate a substantial sum every year towards postgraduate travel and conference expenses, as well as some bursaries.
All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.
Admission Requirements
176+
120+
6.5+
61+
88+
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
02 Jul 2026
2 Years
Jan
Apr
Tuition fees
Domestic
5,005 GBP
International
16,700 GBP
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