Program Overview

Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (PhD)

The doctoral program in Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies is part of the doctoral program in Literary Studies offered by the Department of Languages and Literatures. This interphilological graduate program provides a supplement to the disciplinary research supported by the candidate's primary supervisor.

Research Areas

The research focuses of Professor Ina Habermann in the field of English literature are:

• Shakespeare and the early modern period
• Spatial studies
• English literature and culture of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Brexit The field of American studies is represented by Professor Philipp Schweighauser and focuses on:
• The literature of the 18th to the 21st century
• Sound studies
• Aesthetics Projects are also welcome in the fields of:
• Gender studies
• History and theory of literature and media
• Postcolonial studies (by arrangement)

Program Structure

Doctoral candidates receive thorough supervision and benefit from the research projects associated with the English Department, the activities of the Department, and the international networks of the academic staff, as well as the offerings of the Doctoral Program and the excellent working conditions at the University of Basel. Opportunities to teach in the English Department are also available.

Admission and Matriculation

To be admitted to a doctorate, applicants must hold a master's degree in a field related to the desired subject of doctoral research with an average grade of at least 5.0 rounded to the nearest tenth. Other degrees from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel may be deemed partially or fully equivalent on the condition that the applicant acquires any missing credits.

Application

Admission applications must be submitted online to the university's Student Administration Office. Applications can also be submitted after the official application deadline has passed. However, there is no guarantee that the application will be processed in time for the desired semester.

Language Requirements

The main languages of instruction in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences are German and English. To ensure successful studies, applicants should be proficient in the languages of instruction for their doctoral subject to at least C1 level as defined in the European Framework of Reference.

Doctoral Committee

Every doctorate is supported by a doctoral committee, which usually consists of a first and second supervisor but can also include a third person. The first supervisor is primarily responsible for ensuring that the doctoral project is conducted correctly and that suitable supervision is provided.

Process for Completing a Doctorate

A doctorate usually lasts between three and five years and includes a dissertation, curriculum-based courses, and the doctoral examination. Curriculum-based courses make up at least 12 credit points in individual doctorates and at least 18 credit points in doctoral programs.

Graduation and Publication

The doctoral process is not deemed complete until the candidate has fulfilled their duty of publication and the certificate has been presented. The candidate is obliged to deliver the dissertation in the format specified in the faculty publication guidelines within three years of the doctoral examination.

Financing Options

A doctorate usually lasts between three and five years. It is essential to start thinking about financing for a doctorate at an early stage and to work with the first supervisor to find a solution before starting the studies. Doctoral students should consider preparing a competitive application for a scholarship or a project position during the first project phase to continue and successfully complete their doctorate within the framework of third-party funding.

Printing Cost Contributions for Dissertations

The Max Geldner Dissertation Fund grants contributions to the printing costs of dissertations at the Faculty of Philosophy and History. In addition to costs incurred in the printing of monographic dissertations, contributions are also made for articles published in the open access procedure for cumulative dissertations.