English

The DPhil in English is intended to develop the skills and understanding necessary to undertake and present original research at a high level, and provide a thorough foundation for a career in research.

Graduates from the English Faculty are employed across a wide range of sectors. Many take up academic positions in the UK and overseas. Other graduates pursue careers in occupations including teaching, journalism, law, publishing and the civil service.

Under the guidance of your supervisor, you will complete a thesis of 80,000 to 100,000 words. A typical term will involve a great deal of independent research, punctuated by meetings with the supervisor who will be able to suggest direction and address concerns throughout the writing process. It is expected that you will have at least two substantial supervisions in each term.

You will be enrolled as Probationary Research Student and then apply to transfer to full DPhil status during your first year. A further assessment of your work and progress takes place during the third year of the programme. 

There is no specific coursework requirement for an English research degree, however you will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of classes, seminars and lectures in order to learn bibliographic and research skills, interact with other researchers or gain new perspectives on their work. You may also be encouraged to attend the research skills courses available as part of the master's (MSt) programme, depending on how much of this training has been covered previously.

You are encouraged to gain teaching experience, so long as it does not interfere with your own progress, and are invited to attend Faculty-run preparatory teaching workshops and seminars.

Applicants are expected to be predicted to achieve or to have achieved a master’s degree in a relevant subject (preferably English literature or English language) with distinction.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved a first-class or a strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in English literature or English language.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.75 (with at least 3.85 in the major) out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Research proposal: Around two pages
• Written work: Either two essays of 2,000 words each or one essay of 4,000 words
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Ertegun Scholarship Programme