Program Overview

English (Online) PhD

Overview

Develop original research into literature and language, from the medieval period to the present day, guided by our expert staff.

Research Overview

• Develop original research into literature and language, from the medieval period to the present day, guided by our expert staff.
• Encouraged to develop skills and expand thinking.
• Develop key transferable and research-specific skills.
• Diverse range of expertise, spanning from the Old English period to contemporary writing.
• Recent student research has included:
  • Language and LGBT identity
  • Danelaw Boundaries: the place-name evidence in context
  • The influence of William Blake on the mysticism of Irish modernist writers

Course Content

• A PhD in English is mainly made up of independent study, with supervision meetings occurring online (e.g., via Microsoft Teams) and spread throughout the year.
• No taught credits attached to a PhD, although it is compulsory for full-time students to attend the Arts Faculty Researcher Skills training programme, which is available for online attendance.
• Part-time students are required to take part in all required research training, attend postgraduate seminars where possible, and one postgraduate researcher (PGR) symposium over the period of their registration.
• Assessment:
  • Complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from academic supervisors.
  • Take a verbal examination called a viva voce, where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Entry Requirements

• All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications.
• Home / UK students:
  • Degree: 2:1 (or international equivalent) and a master's degree at Merit level or above.
  • Applicants without a master's degree who can demonstrate equivalent expertise should contact the School of English.
• EU / International students:
  • Degree: 2:1 (or international equivalent) and a master's degree at Merit level or above.
  • International and EU equivalents: We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.
  • IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
  • English language requirements: As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

Applying

• You will be required to provide a PhD proposal with your application, which will set out the structure of your project.
• The basis of a good proposal is usually a set of questions, approaches, and objectives which clearly outline your proposed project and what you want to accomplish.
• A PhD proposal should be a minimum of 1000 words.
• Consider:
  • The methodologies that you will use in your project (as appropriate)
  • The necessary resources and facilities you will need to carry out your project

Fees

• Qualification: PhD
• Home / UK: £5,006
• International: £23,000
• Additional information for international students:
  • If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
  • These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Support

• Regular supervision:
  • You will have a team of at least two supervisors.
  • Full-time students will meet with their supervisory team at least 12 times each year (six times for part-time students).
• Professional development:
  • Research students in the School of English may benefit from:
    • Student-led research seminars and an annual symposium (recorded and/or hybrid for online students)
    • Research networks created by the research centres and individual research projects
    • Co-authorship with members of staff, where applicable
    • Dedicated staff-postgraduate reading groups in some research areas
    • Support for participation in international conferences and seminars

Careers

• Careers advice:
  • Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers.
  • You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.
• Graduate destinations:
  • This course will develop key transferable skills, including:
    • Analysis and problem-solving
    • Independent research
    • Information gathering and data management
    • Construction of logical and persuasive arguments
  • As a result, our graduates enter a wide range of careers, including:
    • Lecturing, teaching and academic research
    • Specialist archive, librarian, heritage and museum work
    • Journalism, publishing and research
    • Marketing
    • Local and central government
    • Social policy

Research Excellence Framework

• The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education.
• The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
• We are proud to be in the top 10 UK universities for research into English, while our ranking of 9th by 'research power' reflects our research excellence.
• 90% of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact