PhD in Literature

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

International:

10%

White American:

48%

African American:

14%

Native American:

1%

Hispanic American:

10%

Asian American:

17%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Top recruiters

Accenture

Deloitte

PwC

Google

World Health Organization

Microsoft

Cisco

Oracle

McKinsey

Facebook

Tesla

Meta

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$33,862 / year

Overall Cost

$48,862 / year

FAQs

• How competitive is admission?
  
  Highly competitive. Duke literature receives about 130–160 applications annually and admits around six fully funded students. Campus visits are arranged for all admitted candidates, usually in February.
• Is funding guaranteed?
  
  Yes. Admitted students receive five years of full funding, inclusive of stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance, and fees for the academic year and summers.
• Is foreign-language proficiency required?
  
  Yes. Proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, to be demonstrated by the end of the second year. More languages may be required depending on your research focus.
• What sort of writing sample is required?
  
  Applicants must submit a recent critical or scholarly essay (15–25 pages) preferably from a literature course. Undergraduate senior theses or MA papers are acceptable.
• Can I apply with only a bachelor’s degree?
  
  Yes. You can apply directly with a bachelor’s degree; a master's degree is not required. Students with an MA may receive credit for up to two courses toward the program.