Research Degrees (PhD, MLitt, MA by research)

As one of the world’s top 50 English departments, we offer a dynamic and inclusive environment for research scholars from the UK and internationally.

With a thriving community of around 50 PhD researchers and 80 academic and professional staff, we provide a supportive setting for a wide variety of innovative literary scholarship. This word cloud visualises the diverse topics covered by recent PhD theses, and shows the range of work we can supervise.

Your first step in your application is usually to find an appropriate supervisor. You can visit our staff pages or try browsing our interactive network map that shows which staff relate to different fields of interest, periods, genres, or interdisciplinary areas. These include:

• Medieval and Early Modern Literature
• Romanticism and Nineteenth-Century Studies
• Modernism and Postmodernism
• Postcolonial Literature and Theory
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Literature and the Environment
• Medical Humanities
• Digital Humanities
• Creative Writing (with critical component)

You will usually be allocated a primary and secondary supervisor with complementary expertise to your own interests.

Supervisors and researchers increasingly work in an interdisciplinary way too. You may also find an intellectual home within one of the University's research centres and institutes, such as the Institute for Medical Humanities, Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies, or Centre for Culture and Ecology.

Programmes Offered

Most research students work at PhD level, but we also offer shorter MRes and MLitt qualifications, with a similar level of supervisory support.

Training and Professional Development

PhD students will have the opportunity to participate in research training workshops within the Department, on topics such as digital skills and writing for publication, and to join our various events such as staff and postgraduate seminars. We also may be able to provide paid, short research assistantships, teaching experience, and funding for conferences and professional development. Find out more about life as a postgraduate with us.

You will also take advantage of the University’s core Professional Development programme for postgraduate researchers.

Progression and Review

As part of your development, it is important that you have the opportunity to check your progress more formally, and to identify and resolve challenges that may prevent you from continuing your work effectively.

PhD

Full-time PhD students undergo a Formal Progression Review after their first nine months, which is then followed by annual evaluations. These key checkpoints confirm progress and provide an opportunity to adjust plans or offer support if needed.

Part time students will undertake a similar review on an extended timeline.

MLitt

Full-time students taking the MLitt will undergo a Progression Review at 8-9months and a  Completion Review at 21 months. Students doing the MLitt part time will undergo a Confirmation Review at 9 months, a Progression Review at 21 months, a Confirmation Review at 33 months and a Completion Review at 45 months.

MA by Research (MRes)

Students taking the MA by research will undergo a Completion Review at 9 months if they are full-time or 21 months if part-time.

Assessment

Submission of a PhD thesis or MLitt is followed by an oral examination (viva). Vivas are not required for an MA by Research (but can be held at the discretion of the examiners).

How to Apply

The application process for a research degree is a bit different to what you may have been used to as an undergraduate or taught postgraduate.

1. Check entry requirements

You will normally require a good honours degree (at least a 2:1) or its equivalent from a recognised University, and (for the MLitt or PhD) a Masters degree from a recognised University. 

We welcome applications from overseas students, who should be proficient in spoken and written English: normally a minimum of 7.0 in IELTS (with no component less than 7.0) or equivalent in other language tests accepted by Durham.

2. Draft initial proposal and scope funding

Before you apply, you should first develop a research proposal. There is useful guidance on writing a proposal from Vitae.

You should also think carefully about how you intend to fund your studies. Application information for general scholarships is detailed on our Fees and Funding pages, but you might also consult this general list of Postgraduate Scholarships

3. Identify a supervisor

View our staff lists or use the network explorer above to find a supervisor you would like to work with.

You should contact your intended supervisor informally to discuss your proposal before applying.

4. Apply

Application forms must be completed via the University’s Application Portal, including a personal statement, academic transcripts, two academic references, and proof of English language proficiency (if applicable).

When submitting your application you will need to include a piece of written work approximately 1,200 words in length on a literary subject. This can be any piece of work you have completed during the last year or two.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application and is an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you think you would be a good student for the course you are applying to and why the University should select your application over those of other candidates.

Your personal statement should:

• Explain your motivation to undertake the course
• Describe your academic interests, strengths and background relevant to the course
• Outline your ambitions and/or research interests
• Include other relevant information, such as additional reading or research, work or other relevant experiences that have informed your decision to apply for the particular course
• Highlight areas of specific interest within the course you are applying for