Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD study is an opportunity to advance the frontiers of knowledge under the guidance of world-leading experts in your chosen field. A doctorate is the highest qualification in the UK university system, and Leeds has a long history of distinguished PhD research in English.

We offer supervision in all areas of English studies, across literature, language, theatre and creative writing. The School’s research groups reflect some areas in which we specialise – for instance, environmental and medical humanities, postcolonial studies, contemporary poetry and textual scholarship. Members of the School also publish and supervise in many other fields.

At Leeds, all PhD students have at least two supervisors. You will meet with them regularly throughout your degree to discuss your research and receive feedback on your writing. With their support you’ll write an original thesis of publishable quality, typically of around 80,000 words. (For practice-led PhDs, see below.) You’ll defend your thesis in an oral (‘viva voce’) examination with two independent examiners.

We collaborate on PhD supervision with other Schools across the university. With a lead supervisor in English, you can have a co-supervisor who specialises in linguistics, history, music or another language, for instance.

Leeds English PhD graduates go on to careers in UK and international academia; in related fields in the arts, publishing and research management; and in many other professions that make use of high-level research and analytical skills.

Timescales

If you study full-time, a PhD takes a maximum of four years. You will undertake three years of research, followed by up to one year of ‘writing-up’ time. For part-time study, the maximum period is seven years: five years for research and up to two writing-up years. 

We have two start dates for our postgraduate research programmes, in October and February each year.

Most scholarships have deadlines early in the year, for PhDs beginning the following October. You'll need to apply for a place on the PhD programme before applying for a scholarship. That means that if you're seeking funding, you should usually make contact with your prospective supervisors at least ten or eleven months before your planned October start date.

If you're not seeking funding, the following deadlines apply:

Entry requirements

To study for a PhD with us you'll need a 1st-class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent). Most candidates accepted onto the PhD programme also have, or are working towards, a Masters degree in English or a related subject such as Creative Writing, Linguistics, History or Philosophy.

If English isn't your first language you'll also need an English language qualification. In the IELTS, we ask for 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each component.

How to apply

Our staff profiles allow you to identify supervisors with expertise in your field of study. You should begin your application by making contact with a potential supervisor to enquire about your project. 

Once you have discussed your project with a member of staff, you can apply for a place. Linking your application to a specific supervisor is more likely to help your application be successful. 

You'll need to provide:

• A research proposal (1500–2000 words)
• A Curriculum Vitae (you can also include an additional personal statement of up to 500 words)
• A sample of your academic work (including a sample of practice-based/creative work if you’re applying for a practice-led PhD)
• Two references
• Copies of your final degree certificates and transcript (or provisional transcripts if you're still studying). If your documents are not in English, we also require certified English translations.
• Copies of an English language qualification 

Your research proposal should summarise the questions that you plan to investigate and the material that you plan to study. Your ideas are bound to change during your degree. However, your proposal should outline a project with appropriate scope, originality and significance for PhD study. It should demonstrate your understanding of your research area, and give evidence of your ability to succeed at PhD level.

If you're applying for an existing research opportunity, such as a scholarship attached to a particular project, you might not need to include a research proposal in your application. Find out more about our Scholarships.

The final stage of your application is an interview, usually conducted by video call.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact ahcprgadmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

Practice-led PhDs

The School is home to numerous creative practitioners in poetry, fiction and other art forms. Practice-led doctorates in creative writing, theatre studies and interdisciplinary fields make up a significant part of our postgraduate research programmes.

A practice-led PhD at Leeds involves producing a substantial body of original creative work. You’ll combine that work with a critical discussion (15,000–50,000 words long) of the research embodied in your practice.

For more information, you can contact a supervisor with whom you’d like to study, and/or the convenor of the School’s Practice Research Group.

PhDs by Distance Learning

Our PhD by distance learning lets you pursue cutting-edge academic research from anywhere with an internet connection. You can study at a time and place that suits you, within or outside the UK. Part-time options enable you to study alongside work and other commitments.

You will meet with your supervisors by video call, on the same regular schedule as Leeds-based students. You will have full access to Leeds’s digital research resources. Reciprocal arrangements such as SCONUL Access may allow you to access physical libraries in your own location. Many (although not all) on-campus research events now enable hybrid participation.

You will normally need to visit Leeds in person for at least one week each year. 

Please note that the English language requirements for the PhD by distance learning is at least a score of 7.0 overall in IELTS (with no component below 6.5) or an equivalent English language qualification.

For further information, please contact ahcprgadmissions@leeds.ac.uk.