124 PhD programmes in Literature in Europe

This English Literature MPhil, PhD programme from Newcastle University enables you to study one of our specialist areas of literature which ranges in period from the medieval to the contemporary. You will benefit from expert supervision and join our thriving School with an energetic, creative and well-resourced research culture.

They offer supervision on a very wide range of research English Literature topics at the University of Reading, often working in co-operation with staff from other disciplines.

Research your literary passions and become an expert in your chosen area of literature. At Birmingham, the research interests span medieval to modernism, digital cultures and the future of fiction. Learn more at the English Literature programme from University of Birmingham.

The goal of this Literary Studies programme offered by Eötvös Loránd University is to prepare students for obtaining their PhD degree through acquisition of latest research methodologies, participation in conferences and teaching expertise in higher education.

Throughout this English Literature course from Lancaster University you will develop your own scholarly, theoretical, critical, or even critical-creative, voice through one-to-one support from widely published scholars and critics.

Research in Comparative Literatures and Cultures sits within the School of Modern Languages and builds on two areas of strength within the school: transnational studies and intermediality. University of Bristol offers the Comparative Literatures and Cultures programme.

Embark on a scholarly journey at Università IULM - Milan, exploring the nexus of visual and media arts through its esteemed Visual and Media Studies Doctoral Program.

In this Literary Studies programme at the University of the National Education Commission, Krakow, you will gain advanced, detailed knowledge related to this area of research.

The Literary Studies at University of Szeged  offers a number of 4-year programmes for international students, including Comparative Literature, English and American Literature, French Literature, German Literature, Italian Literature, Russian Literature, Classical Philology, and Neo-Latin Literature.

The English and American Literature degree from University of Debrecen invites graduates of universities other than the University of Debrecen to continue their studies in one of these PhD programs.

The English programme offered by Queen's University Belfast offers pathways in Literary Studies, Creative Writing, and Language and Linguistics. Proposals are welcomed in all areas from Medieval to Modern, supported by award-winning writers, linguists and critics working across British, Irish and American Literature.

The Humanities degree at University of Roehampton aims to provide its research students with the opportunity to study in a stimulating, responsive, supportive environment, which fosters independent, critical thinking.

The Literature programme offered by Umea University develops advanced research expertise in literary interpretation, textual criticism, aesthetic expression, historical perspectives, theoretical frameworks, and the examination of ideas across diverse linguistic traditions.

Research in Literature at Uppsala University consists of the study of the history of literature as well as literary theory and method.

The Modern Languages and Cultures programme at Durham University provides an excellent environment for postgraduate research. Students undertake work on a wide range of topics, including translation, literature, theatre, cinema, and photography, while participating in various postgraduate activities such as dialogue days and research seminars

The Leiden University Graduate School of Humanities offers advanced degrees spanning the humanities, ranging from linguistics to literature, cultures, arts, history, philosophy and societies worldwide.

Comparative Literature at the Karlstad University centres on different forms of transgression in terms of theme, content, and interdisciplinarity.

Chinese language and literature as a research discipline is called Sinology. It emerged as a philological discipline but has in recent times expanded to encompass China-related research in the humanities and social sciences. This Sinology (Chinese) programme is offered at Uppsala University.

The School of Modern Languages has an exceptionally broad variety of research interests ranging from the medieval period to the present day and engages with literatures and cultures around the world. This Languages and Cultures programme is offered at the University of St Andrews. 

The Open University UK Literature and Music research group encourages wide-ranging interdisciplinary study of literature and music.