Program Overview

Overview

The English Literature MPhil and PhD are research-led programs that enable students to study a specialist area of literature. The programs are based in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, which is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 150 postgraduates.

How You'll Learn

The programs focus on a single, sustained piece of writing and research. The MPhil thesis is a maximum of 50,000 words, and the PhD thesis is a maximum of 100,000 words. Students are assigned a supervisor or a supervisory team who will meet with them regularly to provide advice on reading and research training. The research training program will support students with researcher development training throughout the program.

Your Development

Students will have plenty of opportunities to network with fellow students and staff and become part of the School's research community. This includes speaker series, peer-led work-in-progress seminars, and an annual postgraduate conference organized by postgraduate students. Students can also take part in a range of university and regional research groups and centers.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) Researcher Development Programme

The Faculty offers a researcher development program for its postgraduate research students. The program is designed to help students perform better as researchers, boost their career prospects, and broaden their impact. The program covers techniques for effective research, methods for better collaborative working, and essential professional standards and requirements.

Your Future

The Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and the University has strong links with employers. The Service provides support with career planning, making applications, and finding jobs.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the University's research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 85 for English Language and Literature – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Facilities

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is based in the Percy Building, which has a purpose-built postgraduate suite including several dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a lounge area. The award-winning Philip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection. Students are also encouraged to use the archival opportunities offered by the University's various partner institutions.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry (per year)

• MPhil Full-time: Home students - Not set, International students - £24,400
• MPhil Part-time: Home students - Not set
• PhD Full-time: Home students - Not set, International students - £24,400
• PhD Part-time: Home students - Not set

Scholarships

The University supports its EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 honors degree or above, or international equivalent, in English Literature or a related field.
• A master's degree, or international equivalent, at merit or above in English Literature or in a related field.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or other English language proficiency tests.

Admissions Policy

The University's admissions policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. It is intended to provide information about admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow students to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification.

How to Apply

Before You Start

• Start dates: September, January
• Closing dates: There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply.
• Specialized application information: Students need to submit a research proposal and a writing sample with their application.

Programme Codes

• MPhil Full-time: 7190F
• MPhil Part-time: 7190P
• PhD Full-time: 8190F
• PhD Part-time: 8190P

Using the Application Portal

The application portal has instructions to guide students through their application. It will tell them what documents they need and how to upload them.