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.
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.
- The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked Literature and Languages 10th for research impact in the UK, with 75% of our case studies rated as having outstanding impacts, in terms of reach and significance (4*). Our submission to REF included contributions from the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
95% of Surrey's postgraduates go on to employment or further study
10th for Research impact
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked Literature and Languages
Studentships
South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship
Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis.The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2025/26, but for the academic year of 2024/25 the UK fees are £4,786 and the stipend is £19,237 (£21,237 if London weighting applies).This competition-funded studentship is available to UK and International students and includes full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates.
Creative Industries PhDs
Fee waiver covering home or international fees. Fee waivers are also open to part-time students. (3 years full-time/6 years part-time)
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
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
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
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.
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.
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
- 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.
October 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
October 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
July 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
July 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
January 2026 - Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
January 2026 - Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
April 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
April 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
- 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).
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.
Studentships
Browse our frequently updated list of funded studentships open for applications.
South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship
Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis.The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2025/26, but for the academic year of 2024/25 the UK fees are £4,786 and the stipend is £19,237 (£21,237 if London weighting applies).This competition-funded studentship is available to UK and International students and includes full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates.
Creative Industries PhDs
Fee waiver covering home or international fees. Fee waivers are also open to part-time students. (3 years full-time/6 years part-time)
Application process
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
After 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.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
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.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.