36 months
Duration
25450 GBP/year
4786 GBP/year
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date

About

The PhD programme in English Literature from Cardiff University offers the opportunity for postgraduate students to make an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field of study and to become part of a thriving, internationally-renowned research community.

Visit programme website for more information

Overview

Successful applicants will be supervised by academic staff working at the forefront of their fields and leading debate in the ever-changing environments of the discipline.

Doctoral students are encouraged to push beyond the boundaries of critical commonplaces, to think differently and to participate fully in the rich intellectual life of the School. 

As well as working closely with a dedicated supervisor, or supervisors, students are able to develop their projects within the context of a dynamic and well-resourced interdisciplinary research culture.

Programme aims

The culmination of the PhD in English Literature   from Cardiff University  is a sustained piece of written work that makes an original contribution to knowledge and understanding in a chosen field of study. 

Successful PhD students are trained in the most sophisticated critical and theoretical practices in preparation for a career in Higher Education or professional employment requiring advanced research skills and subject knowledge at the highest level.

Distinctive features

  • A dynamic and supportive interdisciplinary research culture that connects the vibrancy of Cardiff’s literary and cultural location to the broader international contexts of the discipline.
  • Access to a diverse range of research training and professional development opportunities, including: a weekly thesis workshop; a student-led annual postgraduate research conference; a residential conference for students in their first year of study at Gregynog Hall, a country house with a distinguished artistic heritage set in glorious countryside in mid-Wales.
  • We offer teaching opportunities on the undergraduate degree and PhD students can undertake the School’s unique ‘Learning to Teach’ programme, accredited by the Higher Education Academy.
  • The School provides a dedicated suite for research students with computing facilities, networked information and access to email and Internet.
  • Postgraduate research students can apply for School funding to attend academic conferences and/or undertake archival/library visits.

Career Prospects 

Job roles: Lecturer, Researcher, Editor, Head Teacher, English Teacher, EFL Teacher, PR Officer.

Employers: Universities from Cork (Ireland) to Wisconsin State (USA), Oxford University Press, Penguin Random House, Palgrave MacMillan, London Film School, Virgin Media, Literature Wales, Visit Wales.

Employers: Oxford University Press, London Film School, Palgrave MacMillan, Universities from Cork (Ireland) to Wisconsin State (USA), Virgin Media, Literature Wales, Visit Wales.

Programme Structure

Research projects include:

  • African American literature
  • book history
  • children’s literature
  • critical and cultural theory
  • cultural history
  • digital humanities
  • editing theory and practice
  • experimental writing

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 36 months
  • Part-time
    • 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Delivered

On Campus

What students do after studying

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Academic requirements

GPA admission requirements GPA
Upper Second Class

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

  • Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
  • Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
  • Liability
  • Home contents and baggage
  • Accidents
  • Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Cardiff University and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

  • Applications are welcome from graduates with at least a 2.1 in English Literature (and/or relevant discipline) and an MA in English Literature (and/or relevant discipline).
  • Applications for research degrees should be accompanied by a research proposal of around 1,000 words maximum. This should include a draft title and establish key objectives in terms of the basic research questions you intend to address.
  • The proposal should additionally situate your work in relation to the wider field of existing scholarship; give an initial sense of the original contribution you hope to make and provide an indication of your intended research methodology. A preliminary bibliography of expected key sources should also be appended.
  • In addition to the research proposal, application form and supporting documents, we also require an essay on a literary topic of your choice (around 4,000 words, in English).

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees
  • International

    25450 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 25450 GBP per year during 36 months.
  • National

    4786 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Cardiff

628 - 1066 GBP /month
Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for English Literature.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Independent provider
Grant
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Junhua Li
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
28 Feb 2025
Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Boustany Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Aga Khan Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
09 Jul 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Ramsay Centre
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2025
PlagiarismSearch 2025 Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Voice Talent Online
Location not available

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