Overview

Our English Ph.D. program at Stanford University encourages the production of ambitious, groundbreaking dissertation work across the diverse field interests of our prestigious faculty.

Key Features

Fusing deep attention to literary history with newer approaches to media, technology, and performance, our department carefully mentors students in both scholarship and pedagogy through close interaction with faculty. Our location on the edge of the Pacific and at the heart of Silicon Valley encourages expansive, entrepreneurial thinking about the interpenetration of arts and sciences.

The English Department seeks to teach and promote an understanding of both the significance and the history of British and American literature (broadly defined) and to foster an appreciation of the richness and variety of texts in the language. It offers rigorous training in interpretive thinking and precise expression.

Programme Structure

What you will learn:

Our English graduate program features the study of what imaginative language, rhetoric, and narrative art has done, can do, and will do in life, and it focuses on the roles creative writing and representations play in almost every aspect of modern experience.
Completing the Ph.D. program prepares a student for full participation as a scholar and literary critic in the profession.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Credits

135 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Language Studies Literature View 134 other PhDs in Literature in United States

Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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 Stanford University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Application form: Completed online through the University Graduate Admissions website
Non-refundable fee of $125
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required from faculty members or others who are qualified to evaluate academic work and teaching potential.
Official Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all prior college level schools attended for at least one year.
Writing sample: a critical paper of approximately 12-25 pages, ideally in your stated field of interest. The writing sample is also submitted with the online application.
Official TOEFL and/or TSE: required for all international applicants (whose primary language is not English) sent via ETS.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

25440 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 12720 USD per semester during 60 months.
National

25440 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 12720 USD per semester during 60 months.
In-State

25440 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 12720 USD per semester during 60 months.

quarterly tuition

Living costs for Stanford

1100 - 1600 USD /month

Living costs

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

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

Available Scholarships

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

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