English - Research

The School of English is committed to leadership in the development of English Studies as a vigorous, multidisciplinary subject. We are a School which attracts postgraduates of the highest quality, which is committed to building on our already vibrant culture of excellence in teaching and research, and which has at its core our firmly held belief that research and teaching are intimately connected and mutually stimulating.



Research Programmes

The School of English has a vibrant research culture, with opportunities in a wide range of subjects and areas. We especially welcome applications in: medieval and renaissance literature, eighteenth-century literature, Irish Studies, American literature, popular literature, creative writing, Victorian literature, postcolonial literature, Old English, and children’s literature. Research opportunities in all areas are considerably enhanced by Trinity Library. As well being a copyright library, it holds manuscripts and special collections that can form the basis of research projects, particularly in the early period, in Irish writing and in children’s literature.



Our research culture places special emphasis on the individual researcher, though we also encourage forms of research collaboration where this is appropriate. The School of English provides doctoral training through provision of a structured programme of research and study.



The School of English welcomes applications for two research degrees: the M.Litt. and the Ph.D. Both involve a student working closely with one or more supervisors to undertake an original independent research project, resulting in a dissertation thesis. The M.Litt. normally takes two years and the dissertation is up to 60,000 words. The Ph.D. takes up to four years and the dissertation is up 100,000 words. As well as the more conventional research dissertation, we offer the Ph.D. in Literary Practice, which comprises of an original piece of creative writing and a critical essay. We also have a Distance Ph.D. programme, to enable students to pursue a research degree remotely. Further details can be found on our School website.



As part of their structured PhD programme, students are expected to undertake taught modules during their PhD (a minimum of 10 ECTS and a maximum 30 ECTS within the first 18 months of enrolment). Research students must also take a compulsory School of English module in postgraduate professional development during their first year. While our research students work closely with their supervisor, their development of independent and original thought is crucial to the research process. When their work is established, research students may provide teaching in the School in areas cognate to their research.



PhD in Literary Practice

The Ph.D. in Literary Practice is aimed at those interested in undertaking a combination of creative and critical writing at doctoral level. Further information about this programme can be found on our School’s postgraduate research website.



Non-Resident PhD Programme

The Non-Resident Ph.D. programme allows students to undertake a research degree within the School of English remotely. Further information about this programme can be found on our School’s postgraduate research website. Please note that prospective applicants can only proceed with their application once they been granted permission to do so by the School’s Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning.



How Do I Apply?

The School receives many postgraduate research admissions and supervision inquiries each year. To facilitate the efficient processing of these initial expressions of interest we require prospective PhD and M.Litt. applicants to fill in an inquiry template. This template, along with everything you need to know about making an application to the School (including dates and funding information), can be found on our School website - click here and scroll down to the heading ‘Admissions Information’.



https://www.tcd.ie/English/postgraduate/research-students/



It is strongly advised that you develop your proposal in consultation with a relevant staff member, rather than applying online without contacting the School beforehand. If a staff member is interested in your initial project outline and has supervision capacity, they may ask you for further information and they may subsequently agree to work with you as you develop your proposal. Information about the required formatting and details required from a PhD or M.Litt. proposal can again be found on our webpage.



The School regularly hosts visiting lecturers and writers and organizes international conferences and symposia. Research students are always involved in the organization of these events and frequently will present research papers. The postgraduates also organize weekly research seminars, and all research students are expected to contribute to and attend these events.

As well as fostering individual research, we also help students develop a profile that will make them strong candidates for academic posts. Recent Ph.D. graduates hold permanent lectureships and prestigious post-doctoral fellowships at universities in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US.

Research Applications

No closing dates apply for application for higher degrees by research but there are only two registration periods (September and March). Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible prior to their chosen registration period as supervisory capacity may be limited.



In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to register retrospectively. Applicants wishing to be considered for retrospective admission should contact the Graduate Studies Office by emailing research.admissions@tcd.ie

Next Intake: March 2024 / September 2024

School Description:


The School comprises more than twenty permanent members of teaching staff, and a substantial number of Postdoctoral Fellows, Teaching Associates, Research Associates and Teaching Assistants. There are over 100 visiting students each year, and about 60 students who are reading for research degrees. In spite of the large numbers of students, the School maintains a strong commitment to small-group teaching and to individually-directed research.


The School of English is committed to leadership in the development of English Studies as a vigorous, multidisciplinary subject. We are a School which attracts postgraduates of the highest quality, which is committed to building on our already vibrant culture of excellence in teaching and research, and which has at its core our firmly-held belief that research and teaching are intimately connected and mutually stimulating.


Research Programmes With three well-established taught postgraduate courses and over 60 research students, the School of English has a vibrant research culture, with opportunities in a wide range of subjects and areas. We especially welcome applications in: medieval and renaissance literature, eighteenth-century literature, Anglo-Irish literature and drama, American literature, popular literature, creative writing, Victorian literature, postcolonial literature, Old English, and children's literature. Research opportunities in all areas are considerably enhanced by Trinity Library. As well being a copyright library, it holds manuscripts and special collections that can form the basis of research projects, particularly in the early period, in Anglo-Irish literature and in children's literature.


Our research culture places special emphasis on the individual researcher, though we also encourage forms of research collaboration where this is appropriate. While our research students work closely with their supervisor, their development of independent and original thought is crucial to the research process. When their work is established, research students may provide teaching in the School in areas cognate to their research. All research students take a course in Research Methods.


The School regularly hosts visiting lecturers and writers and organizes international conferences and symposia. Research students are always involved in the organization of these events and frequently will present research papers. The postgraduates also organize weekly research seminars, and all research students are expected to contribute to these.


As well as fostering individual research, we also help students develop a profile that will make them strong candidates for academic posts. Recent Ph.D. graduates hold permanent lectureships and prestigious post-doctoral fellowships at universities in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US.