Programme description
Our English and American Studies PhD programme offers the opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of research in the area that most interests you.
Manchester has a strong tradition in research, and our current profile includes both traditional areas of research and new fields and methods.
Research in English and American Studies is conducted across both the chronological span and the theoretical range of the subject. Specific areas of international research excellence include:
- Old and Middle English
- Renaissance literature
- Romanticism
- Victorian literature and culture
- Contemporary literature
- Modern Irish and Scottish studies
- American studies
- Post-colonial and world literatures
- Cultural theory.
Additional programme information
Humanities Doctoral Academy
Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.
We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey. This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation.
We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.
EDI
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Teaching and learning
We offer a very wide range of supervision to our postgraduate researchers thanks to the diverse expertise of our academic staff.
We also have a strong record of success in joint supervision, where a PhD student works with two supervisors who have complementary specialist fields.
Coursework and assessment
PhD students have regular one-to-one meetings with a specialist supervisor and twice yearly meetings with a research panel.
Related research
REF 2021
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 95% of our English Language and Literature research was recognised as 'world leading' or `internationally excellent' REF2021. Find out more about our English Literature and Creative Writing research.
Facilities
Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.
Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.
We also have one of the largest academic IT services in Europe - supporting world-class teaching and research. There are extensive computing facilities across campus, with access to standard office software as well as specialist programmes.