English Literature PhD

Overview

PhD research programmes will allow you to explore your own interests in English literature, supported by the expertise of our staff.

You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of English literature, with a strong focus on Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, Romantic and Victorian studies; modernism; women's writing; science and the creative imagination; classical reception; film and theatre; and popular culture.

You’ll conduct your research in a collaborative environment with strong links to research networks in our University and the wider community. We host and take part in many research-oriented events for staff and postgraduate students, including our regular Faculty and departmental research seminars, international conferences and the bi-annual Skinner Young lecture on Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. Our seminars will give you the chance to present papers in a supportive setting, and you’ll have the chance to attend graduate research seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of English.

Careers

We’ll provide you with many opportunities for career development and training, in areas like writing up a paper for publication; placing an academic article; giving a conference paper; the doctoral writing style; updates on research methods and literature searches; internet training; editing skills for doctoral research; subsequent monograph publication; and dealing with festivals, agents, and publishers. You might also be able to take on teaching responsibilities in the department or organise research events like seminars and conferences.

PhD: Students need a master degree or equivalent in a related subject area. PhD with progression from MPhil: Students need a Bachelor degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.