This PhD programme can accommodate any interests which relate to those of the researchers in the Department of English Literature, including American Literature, Medieval and Early Modern Literature, Children's Literature, Samuel Beckett Studies, Book History, Nineteenth-century, Twentieth-century and Contemporary Literatures, Post-Colonial Literature and Global Literatures (in English or English translation), as well as Creative Writing (please note that PhDs on Children's Literature or Creative Writing are still also awarded the degree formally as a 'PhD in English Literature' in this Department). In all the areas of research, a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches are welcomed, including a focus on archival work in relation to the University's outstanding archives, which include the Samuel Beckett archives, the Children's Literature Special Collection and many publishers' archives.

Our PhD students go on to work in academia as postdoctoral researchers, but also quickly find employment in fields such as teaching, advertising and media, or other communications and public relations careers.