American and Canadian Studies PhD

Program Overview

This PhD program involves a substantial written thesis and verbal examination, supplemented by research training, seminars, and career support. Students benefit from advanced research training, regular feedback, and opportunities for conference presentations, publications, and outreach activities. With a high employment rate and graduates earning an average salary of £31,000, the program offers a path to successful academic or professional careers.

Program Outline

Outline:

• You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words.
The topic will be agreed with your supervisors (usually two co-supervisors).
• You also take a verbal examination (viva voce) at the end of your thesis, where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.
• You will also attend research training sessions and weekly graduate 'work-in-progress' seminars, led by the research student community.
They are an opportunity for everyone to present their ongoing research to their peers, supervisors and invited members of academic staff and research students.

Careers:

• 100% of postgraduates from the School of American and Canadian Studies secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
The average annual salary for these graduates was £31,000.

Other:

• The department offers:
• advanced research training
• frequent reviews and feedback on progress
• departmental research seminars/work in progress sessions
• support for research trips and conference attendance
• inter-library loan
• We also offer a programme of visiting speakers and regular symposia organised by staff and students.
• You will be encouraged to organise and attend conferences, act as editors for postgraduate journals, and publish book reviews and articles.
Many former students have successfully turned their PhDs into books with major presses including Oxford University Press, Manchester University Press, University of California Press, University of Illinois Press, Routledge and Palgrave.
• There are regular opportunities to take part in outreach activities, public talks and departmental events.
In addition to serving as Departmental Outreach and Engagement Coordinators and Directors of our LGBT and Black History Month programmes, students are given logistical and financial support in order to run their own conferences and organise a week-long research retreat.
• Students also act as teaching assistants, after appropriate teacher training offered by the University and the school.
Teaching Assistants are supported and monitored by module convenors, the Chair of Teaching Committee and the Director of Research.

• Home / UK: £5,100
• International: £21,500