English Literature, MPhil/PhD
Our English Literature research degree (MPhil/ PhD) allows you to undertake the rigorous and critical exploration of literatures in English, including publication processes and histories.
Your supervisory team will guide you through the formulation of your research questions and how to answer them in the specific format of a PhD thesis in English Literature. You will also attend a limited set of compulsory courses concerned with core skills and may also attend extra classes or participate in training events such as seminars and workshops in the Research Centre or elsewhere in the University and in the vibrant academic culture of London more broadly and indeed globally. You will be encouraged to participate both locally and globally to gain valuable experience in academic networking, management and standards. PhD students are strongly encouraged to hold positions in learned societies such as the Victorian Popular Fiction Association, the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals, British Association for Victorian Studies, the H.G. Wells Society, the London Nineteenth-Century Seminar, and many others. Key areas of expertise: Publishing history early modern to today, the popular, gender, theory.
Location
Duration
- 3 Years years full-time
- 6 Years years part-time
Start month
September; January; May
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
We are a world-leading team of academics with expertise in publishing history (early modern to contemporary), popular fiction, gender, and contemporary literary theory.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
- Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview.
- Applicants will also be required to:
- Provide a detailed research proposal of approx. 1,500 words (for scholarship applications, please see specific instructions in the advert and include the scholarship reference to the personal statement section).
- Provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Provide 2x academic or professional references.
- Applicants are highly encouraged to identify and contact a potential MPhil/PhD supervisor. They will guide applicants through the application and help shape the research proposal. Where possible, include the name of the potential supervisor(s) contacted in research proposal and personal statement.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
At the heart of this MPhil/PhD is the collaboration between you and your supervisors who are experts in your chosen area. Supervisors will guide you through the process of: Refining your research project and the outcomes; Outlining a plan, monitoring it, and keeping to a schedule; Guidance on obtaining ethical approval (if applicable); Identifying any extra taught courses and training events to attend in support of your research.
Class sizes
Information coming soon.
Independent learning
Beyond scheduled supervisory meetings, seminars, and other training sessions, you'll be expected to dedicate significant time to your research project/creative work. Our Stockwell Street Library and online resources will support your further reading and research.
You can also join a range of student societies, including the Doctoral Society.
You will also be enrolled in the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme which offers a mix of mandatory and elective sessions on research and personal skills specifically targeting Postgraduate Researchers.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours (seminars, research group meetings and meetings with your supervisor) and independent learning. Full-time students are expected to devote at least 35 hours per week to their research degree within a normal working week. Part-time students are expected to devote at least 16 hours per week to their research degree within a normal working week
Assessment
You will need to successfully complete all mandatory training as part of the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme. The degree is awarded when you submit your thesis and successfully defend it by oral examination (viva-voce).
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please use our contact form.
Fees and funding
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Do you provide employability services?
Information coming soon.
Accommodation
Greenwich
Living in halls of residence is a great way to make new friends and get into the social side of university life. With four great locations, all minutes away from the campus and the centre of historic Greenwich , you will be at the heart of one of the most beautiful university settings in the UK.
Rooms start at £146.30/wk and include Wi-Fi, utility bills, access to our on-campus gym and 24-hour security - and just a 10-minute train journey to central London. Students based at our Greenwich campus can also choose to live the Student Village at Avery Hill, which is only a short ride on our free shuttle bus.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre. Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences provides pastoral support throughout your studies with us. In addition all research students are affiliated to a Research Centre which in this case would typically be the Centre for Research in Language & Heritage and will be involved in Centre research, knowledge exchange and other activities.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
English at the University of Greenwich
Whether you’re studying great works of literature, the language itself or are being inspired by great writing to find your own creative voice, you’ll learn on a UNESCO World Heritage Site in one of the world’s great cultural capitals.
Visit our English degrees page.
Think ‘English’ - our top tips!
Looking for some tips to get you thinking about either studying English Literature or Creative Writing at undergraduate level? If so, look no further - our subject teaching teams have a few suggestions which might help.
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