English MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Program Overview

English MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

• Level: PostgraduatePG PhD
• Duration: MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years, Part time 30 months - 5 years
  PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years
  PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years
• Starting: October, March
• UK Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• International Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• Location >: Waterside

Overview

If you have a bachelor’s degree or Masters in English, a humanities topic, or a related field, this English MPhil, PhD, or PhD by Published Works programme is an ideal way to broaden your knowledge and research abilities. A successful defence of your final thesis will provide you the highest accreditation that any UK institution can bestow, as well as a good opportunity to progress into a wide range of areas such as taking up roles in teaching and the media. Visit our Centre for Cultural and Literary Studies to learn more about our ongoing research initiatives.

Highlights

• The range of expertise offered by this programme is unique to the University of Northampton and we have research expertise covering Literatures in English from the Renaissance to the present day. We can supervise topics including:
  • Victorian Studies
  • Trauma Narratives
  • Sex, Gender and Sexuality
  • Modernist Cultures
  • Children’s and YA Literatures
  • Ecocriticism and the Anthropocene
  • Postmodernism and Beyond
  • Shakespeare
  • American Literatures
  • Postcolonialism and Global Literatures in English
  • Film, TV and Screen Studies
  • Creative Writing
• We offer opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study, including with areas such as History and Media.
• We have links with a range of local and national organisations.
• You will study in a supportive environment with staff who want to see you succeed.

Entry Requirements

• You’re normally expected to have a first or upper second-class honours degree or Masters Degree from a UK university or international equivalent.
• Your qualification should be in a subject area relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
• Individual consideration will be given to students with lower-level degrees or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience is required.
• As part of the selection process, all qualified candidates will be expected to attend an interview.
• All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
  • successful interview outcome.
  • availability of suitable Research Supervision Support.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component including writing.
• We will also consider equivalent English language qualifications.
• We are unable to consider applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components from a test taken within the last two years.

Course Content

• This English PhD course allows you to specialise and increase your technical abilities.
• While developing and establishing research projects, you will get general, discipline-based, and project-specific training so that you may perform your research work effectively and independently.
• When you complete this course, you will be able to pursue an academic job or a research position in a related subject.
• You will be supervised throughout your project by English tutors who are specialist in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
    • UK – Full Time: £5,700
    • UK – Part Time: £2,845
    • International – Full Time: £16,350
    • International – Part Time: £7,640
  • Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
    • UK – Part Time: £3,600
    • International – Part Time: £7,840
• Scholarships and Bursaries: For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
• For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Staff

• David Simmons - Senior Lecturer in English & Screen Studies
• Claire Allen - Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
• Phillippa Bennett - Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
• Richard Chamberlain - Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
• Rod Rosenquist - Senior Lecturer in English & Screen Studies

Careers and Employability

Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have moved into academic research related to their topic, while others have gone on to take up roles in teaching and the media. Some have engaged in PhD level research for a retirement project.

Related Courses

• Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production BA (Hons)
• English BA (Hons)

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This English MPhil, PhD, or PhD by Published Works program is designed for individuals holding a bachelor's degree or Masters in English, a humanities topic, or a related field. The program aims to broaden knowledge and research abilities, culminating in a final thesis defense that provides the highest accreditation from a UK institution. Successful completion opens doors to various career paths, including teaching and media roles. The program emphasizes research expertise covering English Literatures from the Renaissance to the present day, with supervision available for topics like Victorian Studies, Trauma Narratives, Sex, Gender and Sexuality, Modernist Cultures, Children’s and YA Literatures, Ecocriticism and the Anthropocene, Postmodernism and Beyond, Shakespeare, American Literatures, Postcolonialism and Global Literatures in English, Film, TV and Screen Studies, and Creative Writing.

Teaching:

The program provides general, discipline-based, and project-specific training to equip students for effective and independent research. Students are supervised throughout their projects by English tutors who are specialists in their research areas, experienced in supervising PhD level projects, and provide guidance on additional activities needed to achieve goals.

Careers:

Graduates have progressed to a wide range of areas, including academic research related to their topic, teaching roles, and media positions. Some have engaged in PhD level research for retirement projects.

Other:

The program offers opportunities for interdisciplinary study, including collaborations with areas like History and Media. It also boasts links with local and national organizations and provides a supportive environment with staff dedicated to student success.

2024/25 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees UK – Full Time: £5,500 UK – Part Time: £2,775 International – Full Time: £15,950 International – Part Time: £7,450 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works. Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works. UK – Part Time: £3,500 International – Part Time: £7,650 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees UK – Full Time: £5,340 UK – Part Time: £2,695 International – Full Time: £15,480 International – Part Time: £7,245 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works. Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works. UK – Part Time: £3,400 International – Part Time: £7,460