PhD English Literature
We perform innovative and world-leading research across literature, writing and linguistics. Our diverse mix of subject specialities means we are a vibrant and imaginative community with lots of opportunity for intellectual exchange.
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Why choose this
programme?
- Our research-active staff are at the forefront of knowledge in English literature, creative writing, film studies, translation studies, theoretical and applied linguistics, and literary and cultural studies.
- Our research concentrates on a range of periods, themes and subjects, spanning Medieval literature, Shakespeare and the Renaissance, Romanticism, Victorian and 19th-century literature, modern and contemporary literature, creative writing and film studies.
- We’re part of TECHNE, an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-funded doctoral training partnership, which provides access to comprehensive academic and professional training programmes, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.
- Our new distance-learning route allows you to pursue doctoral research with full academic support, remote supervision, and access to online resources, without needing to relocate or interrupt your professional and/or caring commitments.
Statistics
10th for research impact
For literature and languages in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 , with 75% of case studies rated as having outstanding impacts, in terms of reach and significance (4*)
What you will study
Our English Literature PhD will train you in critical and analytical skills, research methods, and knowledge that will equip you for your professional or academic career. It normally takes around three or four years to complete our full-time PhD.
You’ll be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor, who will meet with you regularly to read and discuss your work and progress. For us, writing is essential for understanding and developing new perspectives, so you’ll be submitting written work right from the start of your course.
In the first year of your PhD, you’ll refine your research proposal and plan the structure of your work with the guidance and support of your supervisors. As you go into your second and third year, you’ll gradually learn to work more independently, and your supervisors will guide you on how to present at conferences and get your work published.
After 12-15 months, you’ll submit a substantial piece of work for a confirmation examination. The confirmation examination will be conducted by two internal members of staff not on your supervisory team and will give you the opportunity to gain additional guidance on your research-to-date. The final two years of your PhD will be devoted to expanding and refining your work ready for submission of the final thesis.
As a doctoral student, you’ll receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant-writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.
Assessment
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.
You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Location
You can study for your PhD in person here in Surrey on our Stag Hill campus or by distance learning online.
Research themes
- Women's writing (especially Medieval women's writing, early modern women's drama and Victorian women writers)
- Medieval romance
- Romanticism
- Victorian studies
- Modernism and modernity
- Travel and mobility
- Western and global esotericisms
- Sexuality and queer theory
- Postmodern and post-postmodern writing
- Contemporary fiction
- Transnational literature.
Discover more about our literature and languages research.
See a full list of all our literature and languages academic staff.
Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
In addition to a number of excellent training opportunities offered by the University, our PhD students can take additional subject-specific training and take part in research seminars and events. These provide a valuable opportunity to meet visiting scholars whose work connects with our own research strengths across literature, theory, and creative writing.
Facilities
You’ll be allocated shared office space and have full access to our library and online resources. Our close proximity to London also means that the British Library and many other important archives are within easy reach.
UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold a good first-class UK degree (a minimum 2:1 or equivalent) and an MA in a relevant topic.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Fee options
- January 2027 - Full-time
- January 2027 - Full-time with Distance Learning
- January 2027 - Part-time
- January 2027 - Part-time with Distance Learning
- April 2027 - Full-time
- April 2027 - Full-time with Distance Learning
- April 2027 - Part-time
- April 2027 - Part-time with Distance Learning
- July 2027 - Full-time
- July 2027 - Full-time with Distance Learning
- July 2027 - Part-time
- July 2027 - Part-time with Distance Learning
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Application process
Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
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The closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyThe closing date is the last day this month is available for applications, but if you are applying through a studentship, you must follow the deadline on the advert to be eligible.
ApplyAfter registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.