PhD in English

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$78,000 / year

Graduation Rate

98%

Job Placement

92%

Top recruiters

Accenture

Deloitte

KPMG

PwC

IBM

Google

World Health Organization

Amazon

Microsoft

Tesla

Meta

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$57,328 / year

Overall Cost

$92,000 / year

FAQs

• Are language skills required before admission?
  
  Not necessarily. You must meet foreign language requirements by end of year two or three. Current proficiency is helpful but not mandatory at application.
• Can I work across departments or fields?
  
  Yes. Interdisciplinary research is welcome. Some students work across literature, film, comparative or cultural studies, often under multiple faculty supervisors.
• Are language requirements part of the program?
  
  Yes. PhD students must demonstrate reading proficiency in two foreign languages beyond English, including at least one classical language (e.g. Latin, Ancient Greek). Language requirements are typically fulfilled by the end of the second or third year.
• How are decisions made?
  
  Applications are reviewed by a departmental admissions committee. Evaluation includes academic history, writing skills, clarity of research goals, and alignment with faculty interests.
• When is the application deadline?
  
  The deadline is typically January 5 for fall admission. Harvard only admits new PhD students in the fall term.
• Can I apply with only a bachelor’s degree?
  
  Yes. Harvard admits students directly into the PhD program after a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree is not required.