Program Overview

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Introduction to the University of Kent

The University of Kent is a leading research university that offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The university is known for its research excellence, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Poetry: Text, Practice as Research PhD

The Poetry: Text, Practice as Research PhD program is a research-based degree that enables promising poets to develop the potential of poetry as a tool of inquiry within the humanities. The program is designed to integrate with the aims and objectives of the Centre for Modern Poetry, allowing for joint supervision between the two centers.

Key Information

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

Overview

The program allows students to produce a volume of poetry as well as a piece of scholarly research of 30-40,000 words. The emphasis is on poetic practice as research into the possibilities and potential for contemporary poetry.

About the School of English

The School of English has a strong international reputation and global perspective, with expertise ranging from the medieval to the postmodern. The school is home to a number of research centers, including the Centre for Modern Poetry, the Centre for Colonial and Postcolonial Research, and the Centre for Studies in the Long Eighteenth Century.

Entry Requirements

• A first or upper-second class honors degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent)
• A taught MA qualification (normally)
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis, and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account

International Students

Please see the International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information.

Fees and Funding

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

Funding Opportunities

The university offers a range of scholarships for postgraduate researchers, including subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting, and musical achievement.

Study Support

The university provides a range of support services for postgraduate students, including research skills seminars, reading groups, and research seminars. Students also have access to the university's library and IT facilities.

Postgraduate Resources

The Templeman Library is well-stocked with excellent research resources, as are Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Library. The university also has a number of special collections, including the John Crow Collection of Elizabethan and other early printed texts.

Research

The university has a strong research culture, with a number of research centers and institutes. The School of English is home to a number of research areas, including:

• Eighteenth Century
• Nineteenth Century
• American Literature
• Creative Writing
• Medieval and Early Modern
• Modern Poetry
• Postcolonial

Staff Research Interests

The academic staff in the School of English have a wide range of research interests, and students are encouraged to contact the school to discuss their proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application.

Your Future

Many career paths can benefit from the writing and analytical skills that you develop as a postgraduate student in the School of English. Our students have gone on to work in academia, journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing, and teaching, as well as more general areas such as banking, marketing analysis, and project management.

Career Support

The university provides a range of career support services, including career counseling, job fairs, and networking events. Our friendly team is on hand to help you with any queries you have.