English Literature, PhD
Swansea University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
6 options available
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

Singleton Park Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

JUL-25

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

3 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

JUL-25

Duration

3 years

SELECTED

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JUL-25

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

6 years

SELECT

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English
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Course info

COURSE OVERVIEWA PhD or MPhil in English Literature enables you to undertake a substantial independent research project, which should be of a publishable standard. It takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time.You submit a thesis of up to 90,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral ...Read more

COURSE OVERVIEW

A PhD or MPhil in English Literature enables you to undertake a substantial independent research project, which should be of a publishable standard. It takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time.

You submit a thesis of up to 90,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).

Related research groups:

  • the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Research (MEMO)
  • the Centre for research into Gender in Culture and Society (GENCAS)
  • Centre for Research into the English literature and language of Wales (CREW)

We offer supervision in most areas of literature from the middle ages to the present. Our particular research strengths include:

  • Welsh writing in English
  • American literature
  • Gender
  • Medieval, renaissance, eighteenth and nineteenth-century writing and culture
  • Modernism and postmodernism
  • Irish poetry
  • Contemporary literature
  • Critical and cultural theory
  • Science Fiction and Ecology/Environmentalism
  • Human-Animal Studies

Your project will be agreed in consultation with supervisors and we recommend these discussions are started before applying, to help draw up an initial proposal.

There are no taught PhD classes but upon request you may attend MA modules relevant to your thesis. You typically undertake a number of distinct but related research studies that ultimately form the basis of your dissertation.

You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in any field of English literature, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the College of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate conference.

You may also have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, for which you receive training and payment. Financial support is also provided (subject to approval) for attending conferences or conducting research away from Swansea.

The Research Excellence Framework 2014 reported on postgraduate research in the department

The environment in the Department is ‘conducive to producing research of mostly at least internationally excellent and at its best world-leading quality

‘Arrangements for postgraduates were deemed of world-leading quality

‘There is clear evidence of the development of a research culture into which research students are fully integrated

‘There are excellent arrangements for support, training and employability’.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
40/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
36th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
37th
What students say
E
Eilidh
06 Dec 23

The lecturers are all very helpful and friendly. I do think more could be done to give final year students work experience in a creative..Read more

C
Chloe
06 Dec 23

love the location..Read more

Entry requirements

Applicants for PhD must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,712 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Jan, Apr or Jul 2024: £4,712; Oct 2024 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2025: £4,800. Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

£17,850 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

Jan, Apr or Jul 2024: £17,850; Oct 2024 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2025: £18,750. Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

£17,850 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Jan, Apr or Jul 2024: £17,850; Oct 2024 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2025: £18,750. Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest English Literature reviews

English Literature
English Literature
E
Eilidh
06 Dec 23
English Literature BA (Hons)
The lecturers are all very helpful and friendly. I do think more could be done to give final year students work experience in a creative...
Read more
C
Chloe
06 Dec 23
English Literature BA (Hons)
love the location...
Read more
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How English Literature students rated:

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( 4.5) 62 reviews
5 star
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4 stars
28%
3 stars
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2 stars
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Student rating
( 4.4) 3,760 reviews
5 star
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Uni info

Swansea University
Swansea University , Swansea

Located on the stunning Swansea Bay coastline, this Welsh university provides easy access to the city centre, as well as to the beaches...

Student rating
( 4.4) View reviews
CUG ranking
37th
Swansea University
Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Swansea  1.2 miles away

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