PhD in English literature

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Africa:

2%

North America:

1%

Asia:

8%

South America:

1%

Others:

4%

EU:

15%

UK:

70%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Top recruiters

Deloitte

Google

Amazon

Microsoft

JPMorgan Chase

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Meta

The World Health Organization

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$21,000 / year

Overall Cost

$36,000 / year

FAQs

• How is progress monitored and assessment carried out?
  
  Students undergo formal progress reviews and must upgrade from MPhil to PhD status after a successful assessment. Final evaluation is based on the submission of a doctoral thesis (up to 100,000 words) and a viva voce oral examination.
• When does the programme start, and what are the application deadlines?
  
  The main intakes are in October, January, April, and July. Application deadlines vary depending on funding competitions, with scholarship deadlines usually falling between December and February for the following academic year.
• Do international students need to provide proof of English language proficiency?
  
  Yes. Applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of proficiency, usually through IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or equivalent qualifications that meet the University’s required scores.
• What are the entry requirements for admission?
  
  Applicants are normally expected to hold a good Master’s degree in English Literature or a closely related subject, with strong academic performance and a viable research proposal. In some cases, candidates with a first-class undergraduate degree and relevant research preparation may also be considered.
• What research areas are available in this programme?
  
  Research supervision is offered across a wide range of areas including twentieth- and twenty-first-century literature, creative writing, comparative literature, poetry and poetics, contemporary fiction, life writing, women’s writing, postcolonial studies, and interdisciplinary work linking literature with cultural studies, media, and the arts.
• What is the duration of the PhD in English Literature at the University of Surrey?
  
  The full-time programme normally takes 3 years, with an additional year for writing up if required. The part-time route typically takes 5–7 years.