English Online PHD

Program Overview

The PhD in English program involves independent study, research, and a written thesis. Students attend online supervision meetings and research training, and some choose to audit masters modules. Assessment includes a written thesis, a viva voce exam, and progression review assessments. Graduates have a high employment rate and earning potential.

Program Outline

Outline:

• A PhD in English is mainly made up of independent study, with supervision meetings occurring online (e.g.
via Microsoft Teams) and spread throughout the year.
• There are no taught credits attached to a PhD, although it is compulsory for full-time students to attend the Arts Faculty Researcher Skills training programme, which is available for online attendance.
• Some PhD students also choose to audit masters modules taught by their supervisors where appropriate.
This is not compulsory, nor does it involve any formal assessment, and would be limited to modules offered online.
• Part-time students are required to take part in all required research training, attend postgraduate seminars where possible, and one postgraduate researcher (PGR) symposium over the period of their registration.

Assessment:

• You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s).
• You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce, where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.
• A creative writing thesis will mainly consist of your own original creative work.
This could be a novel, a manuscript of poems, a collection of short stories, a play, or another form of creative output. Your thesis will also include a critical analysis of your creative work, which you will situate within a theorised or analytical context.
• A PhD thesis should not normally exceed 100,000 words in length.
It is expected that the creative element would usually comprise 50,000-70,000 words. The critical analysis component will normally be 15,000-30,000 words in length.
• All PhD students take part in progression review assessments to ensure that their project is progressing satisfactorily.
A progression review consists usually consists of written reports from both the student and the supervisory team.
• All students have an independent assessment interview for their Stage 1 and Stage 2 reviews (end of years 1 and 2 for full-time students, years 2 and 4 for part-time students).

Careers:

• 100% of postgraduates from the School of English secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
The average annual salary for these graduates was £37,402.
• HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022.
The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Other:

• We offer a diverse range of expertise, spanning from the Old English period to contemporary writing.
Recent student research has included 'Language and LGBT identity', 'Danelaw Boundaries: the place-name evidence in context', and 'The influence of William Blake on the mysticism of Irish modernist writers'.
• As and when events are online, you are welcome to join the activities and events of our research centres:
• The Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics
• Centre for the Study of the Viking Age
• Centre for Regional Literature and Culture
• DH Lawrence Research Centre
• Institute for Name Studies
• Linguistic Profiling for Professionals

UK fees: £5,100 International fees: £21,500