find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
University of Birmingham: English Literature PhD
| Institution | University of Birmingham View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of English, Drama, and Creative Studies View department profile |
| Web | www.birmingham.ac.uk |
| Study type | Research |
Summary
Research your literary passions and become an expert in your chosen area of literature. At Birmingham, our research interests span medieval to modernism, digital cultures and the future of fiction. Receive expert supervision and develop your specialist knowledge.
We’re a leading centre in the study of English Literature and Culture. Our award-winning academic researchers explore texts and ideas that span seven centuries and thousands of literary works, from medieval poems to twenty-first century digital media.
At Birmingham, you won't be alone in your research. You'll be part of a thriving postgraduate research community in the Department of English Literature.
There are lots of activities to take part in - from talks organised by our research centres to postgraduate reading groups.
Benefit from our world-class library resources, including the University’s Main Library and rare manuscripts and archives at the Cadbury Research Library. Be part of a city that loves literature as much as you do – attend literature festivals and events and discover Europe’s largest regional library in Birmingham city centre. Study on campus or from anywhere in the world by distance learning.
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
MA (Res)
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Why you should choose the School of English, Drama and Creative Studies at the University of Birmingham
Join a community of writers, filmmakers, performers and creatives at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
We’re home to students across English Literature, Linguistics and Communication, Shakespeare Studies, Film, Creative Writing, Digital Media and Drama.
Our postgraduate taught courses
- MA English Literature
- MA Applied Linguistics (including distance learning and PGCert options)
- MA Applied Linguistics with TESOL
- MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (including distance …
Not what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in English, Comparative literature, Literary studies or Modern literature, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here