English Literature Lancaster University

Why Lancaster?

• Develop your own scholarly, theoretical, critical, or even critical-creative, voice through one-to-one support from widely published scholars and critics.
• Join a large diverse community of PhD students studying literature and/or related texts from the Medieval to contemporary
• Enjoy our rich programme of free literary events on campus and in Lancaster’s historic Castle Quarter
• Study online or join us in Lancaster on the doorstep to the Lake District, home of the Romantic poets, and inspiration for many writers since
• Study on campus in the University Library’s bespoke Postgraduate Study Space
• Benefit from our partnerships with The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere and Lancaster’s long-running LitFest

Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

You will have access to a rich array of libraries, archives and special collections, enabling you not only to develop as a scholar, or critic but also, if you wish, to develop skills relating to work as an archivist, librarian, or curator.

Support and events

You will meet regularly on a one-to-one basis with your tutor to discuss your work, and this can be either online or in person.

• Our literary connections are embedded in the city and nearby Lake District. Many of our special literary events, such as talks from visiting scholars and authors, take place in The Storey, Lancaster’s Victorian Art Centre or at Lancaster’s spectacular medieval Castle.
• The archive-rich Wordsworth Museum at Grasmere is usually the venue for our annual study retreat day, and the Department’s May Gathering, a social event, is usually held at Lancaster’s ancient Priory, as is our annual October Lecture.
• It is entirely possible to complete this PhD programme online via distance learning
• We seek, when possible, to offer students the opportunity to undertake limited, but paid, undergraduate teaching at some point during their programme of study.

Supervision

Finding the right supervisor is key to your success. We would, therefore, recommend that you already have one in mind and contact them before submitting your application.

Before formally applying, we would encourage you to learn more about our many areas of research interests, and get in touch with us by email.

You can listen to one of our PhD students talking about her experience at Lancaster.

Entry requirements

Master's degree, or equivalent, in English literature or literature in other languages, usually with an average of at least 65% for UK MAs.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in English Literature or related subject, for example literature in other languages.

Additional Requirements

• A viable research proposal. Information about how to apply can be found in our Guidance for English Literature and Creative Writing PhD candidates
• A sample of written work such as an essay or dissertation chapter of approximately 3000-5000 words.

Before submitting your application, we would recommend that you contact a potential supervisor for guidance before submitting your application. You can explore our research areas and find details of supervisors here. If you submit an application you should include the names of any potential supervisors that you have identified.