Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

We have research-active staff in English literature, creative writing, film studies, translation studies, theoretical and applied linguistics, and literary and cultural studies. Here at 黑料社, you鈥檒l join a cosmopolitan, multilingual and multicultural community of students and scholars.

Apply
Webinars and events
Register for updates

Key course information

Entry requirements
See full entry requirements
Start date
January 2027
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
48/48 months
UK fees
拢5,238*
Overseas fees
拢21,800
Subject area
Languages, communication, translation and interpreting
Funding
Funding information

Why choose this programme?

  • Research in literary and cultural studies brings together researchers to examine pressing social and cultural issues. We examine social and cultural networks, cities and urban culture, embodiment and the practice and politics of movement, post-humanism, queer studies and subversive space, medical humanities, and transnationalism and its limitations.
  • Our projects have examined areas such as the international reception of British artists, publishing and activism networks in Latin America, and French migration and anarchist movements.
  • Our distance-learning route allows you to pursue doctoral research with full academic support, remote supervision, and access to online resources, without needing to relocate or interrupt your professional and/or caring commitments.
Find out more information

Statistics

10th in the UK

For research impact in English language and literature, with 75% of our research rated as having outstanding impact (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Course details

Open Close

What you will study

This is a programme which will take you on a research journey across cultures. You will develop your own research methodologies to navigate contemporary or historical cultural issues relevant to your project. This might involve archival study, action-based research or field work, as well as literary and cultural analysis.

Research in areas such as gender and sexuality, medical humanities, mobilities and urban studies, creative collaborations and the visual arts, contemporary and historic film, and environmental or political activism, will be supported by expert academics working at the cutting edge of fields such as these. Your research may focus on the intersections between different cultures and languages, or it may take a deep dive into a particular cultural or literary phenomenon.

As a researcher in literary and cultural studies you will become an expert in your project area through in-depth research and advanced analytical skills. You will be fully supported by academic supervisors to engage with current research and to advance the importance of cultural understanding in our globally networked world.

You鈥檒l be assigned two supervisors, who you鈥檒l meet with monthly to discuss your progress. Your supervisors will guide you through your PhD and will give you feedback and advice on your work.

As a doctoral student, you鈥檒l receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant-writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.

Assessment

It normally takes three to four years of full-time study or six to eight years of part-time study to complete our PhD in Literary and Cultural Studies.

You鈥檒l take a confirmation viva at 12-15 months (or 24-30 months part-time).

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.

You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Location

You can study for your PhD in person here in 黑料社 on our Stag Hill campus or by distance learning online.

Research areas

Open Close

Research themes

  • Latin American literary and cultural studies
  • Transnational history and its methodologies
  • Franco-British political and cultural exchanges of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Discover more about our literature and languages research.

Academic staff

Open Close

See a full list of all our literature and languages academic staff.

Support and facilities

Open Close

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

In addition to a number of excellent training opportunities offered by the University, our PhD students can take additional subject-specific training and take part in research seminars and other events, which provides a valuable opportunity to meet visiting scholars whose work connects with our own research strengths across literature, cultural studies and creative writing.

Facilities

You鈥檒l be allocated desk space, and you鈥檒l also be able to take advantage of our common rooms for socialising and networking with other students and staff.

Our close proximity to London also means that the British Library and many other important archives and institutions are within easy reach.

Entry requirements

Open Close

UK qualifications

Applicants are expected to hold a good bachelors degree and/or masters degree (2:1 or equivalent) in languages (with a literary or linguistic background), or in related subject areas is required.

For other topics, a good bachelors degree (2:1 or equivalent) and an MA in a relevant topic is required.

Country-specific qualifications

International students in the United Kingdom

View more country-specific information
Loading...
Find your country requirements

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category and at least 7.0 in the writing component.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

  • Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
  • Being shortlisted through the application screening process
  • Completing a successful interview
  • Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding

Open Close

Fees per year

Explore  website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Fee options

UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢5,238
Overseas
拢21,800
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
拢2,619
Overseas
拢10,900
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢11,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
拢11,400
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest 拢100 (subject to legal requirements).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at 黑料社.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Apply

Open Close

Application process

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

Apply online

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

  1. Select your course

    Choose the course option you wish to apply for.

  2. Sign in

    Create an account and sign into our application portal.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time, January 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, January 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time, January 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, January 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Literary and Cultural Studies PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

黑料社 the 黑料社

Manor Park accommodation

Accommodation

We have a range of housing to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 5,750 rooms available (en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared or single).

My黑料社 Nest

Student life

At 黑料社 we offer a friendly university campus set in beautiful countryside, with the convenience and social life of bustling Guildford on your doorstep.

Need more information?

Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current 黑料社 student online.

Code of practice for research degrees

黑料社鈥檚 postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the 黑料社, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.

We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.