Highlights
Tuition fee
26700 GBP / year
5006 GBP / year
Unknown
Tuition fee
26700 GBP / year
5006 GBP / year
Unknown
Duration
36 months
Duration
36 months
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Campus location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

The PhD programme in English Literature degree delivered at 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

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. 

Key facts

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

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

Language

English
TOEFL® IBT
109
PTE Academic
80
IELTS
7.5

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  • 98 accuracy using real exam data
  • 4.9/5 student rating

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Cardiff, United Kingdom

What students do after studying

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Academic requirements

GPA admission requirements GPA
Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL® IBT
109
PTE Academic
80
IELTS
7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation
Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

  • Trusted by 300k learners
  • 98 accuracy using real exam data
  • 4.9/5 student rating

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 Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
  • International

    Non-residents
    26700 GBP / year
    26700 GBP / year
  • Domestic

    Citizens or residents
    5006 GBP / year
    5006 GBP / year

Additional Details

  • Part-time tuition fees: £2,503

Living costs

Cardiff

United Kingdom
628 - 1066 GBP / month

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
10000 GBP
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate International Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Provided by university
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship
Merit-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
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Read more about eligibility

U.S. government
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
21 Jun 2026
GREAT Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

British Council - Accreditation UK
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
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
19000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarships for PhD Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Junhua Li
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
6000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Scholar
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
4000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
The New York Pass® Education Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Go City
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
22500 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids

Read more about eligibility

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available

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