Program Overview

Overview of the University of Kent

The University of Kent is a leading research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university has a strong focus on research excellence and has risen 11 places in THE's REF 2021 ranking.

Postgraduate Programs

The University of Kent offers various postgraduate programs, including PhDs, master's degrees, and postgraduate diplomas. These programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

PhD in French and Comparative Literature

The PhD in French and Comparative Literature is a research-based program that allows students to undertake a substantial piece of supervised research. The program is designed to make an original contribution to knowledge and is worthy of publication.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time
• Start date: September, January, April
• Location: Canterbury

Entry Requirements

• A first or upper-second class BA honors degree or equivalent in a relevant subject
• A distinction or merit in an MA program or equivalent in a relevant subject
• The appropriate language skills

Fees and Funding

• The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Full-time: £5,006 (UK), £19,300 (EU), £19,300 (International)
  • Part-time: £2,503 (UK), £9,650 (EU), £9,650 (International)

Research Areas

The Department of Modern Languages and the Department of Comparative Literature offer supervision from world-class academics with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. The research areas include:

• Modern French and German autobiographical writing in relation to visual culture
• Memory and identity
• Literature and emotions
• Literature, gender, and medicine
• Literature and ethics

Staff Research Interests

The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss their proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application.

Training and Support

All postgraduate students in the School of European Culture and Languages have the opportunity to undertake a Researcher Development Programme provided by the Graduate School. The program includes training workshops for postgraduate students with teaching responsibilities and brings together students from all its subject areas.

Conferences and Events

The university encourages all of its postgraduate students to get involved in conferences, whether by attending, contributing, or organizing. The postgraduate students edit Skepsi, the School's postgraduate-run journal, for which a themed conference is arranged each year.

Research Excellence

The University of Kent has a strong focus on research excellence and has risen 11 places in THE's REF 2021 ranking. The university's research excellence is reflected in its research centers and institutes, which include the Centre for Modern European Literature and the Centre for Language and Linguistics.

Centre for Modern European Literature

The Centre for Modern European Literature aims to promote collaborative interdisciplinary research that can do justice to the kinds of border crossing that have characterized many of the most significant European writers and literary movements of the modern period.

Centre for Language and Linguistics

The Centre for Language and Linguistics promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in linguistic research and teaching. The center's membership includes not just the members of English Language and Linguistics but also other members with an interest in the study of language, as well as researchers in philosophy, computing, psychology, and anthropology.

Fees and Funding

The university offers various scholarships and funding opportunities to support postgraduate students. The scholarships include:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering the program

Accommodation

The university offers a range of accommodation options for postgraduate students, including on-campus and off-campus accommodation. The accommodation options are designed to provide students with a comfortable and supportive living environment.

Student Experience

The university offers a range of student services and facilities to support postgraduate students, including:

• Student experience
• Accommodation
• Fees and funding
• Scholarships
• Term dates

About the University

The University of Kent is a leading research university that is committed to providing students with a high-quality education and research experience. The university has a strong focus on research excellence and has risen 11 places in THE's REF 2021 ranking. The university's research excellence is reflected in its research centers and institutes, which include the Centre for Modern European Literature and the Centre for Language and Linguistics.