English - Research

English offers pathways in Literary Studies, Creative Writing or Language and Linguistics. 




Proposals are welcomed in all areas from Medieval to Modern. Areas of expertise in a School that brings together award-winning writers, linguists and critics working across British, Irish and American Literature include Poetry; Irish Literature; American Literature; Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies; Literature and Place; Culture, Geography and Identity, from the local to the global, from earliest writing to the contemporary; Literature, Crime and Conflict; and, Science, Medicine and Culture.



The School's specialisms are represented in the Centre for the Americas, the Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies, Institute of Irish Studies, Centre for Research in Linguistics and the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry - an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for the study and production of literature. This active research environment means that your project in literary studies, creative writing or linguistics will be supported by dynamic research groups and experts in the field. 

Details of current staff expertise can be found on the School of Arts, English and Languages website. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Study/English/ 



Graduate

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.



Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.



To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles at https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/find-a-phd-supervisor/?school=Queen%27s%20Business%20School



You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback.


A formal assessment process takes place annually. This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.


The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis of approx. 80,000 words to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

A PhD programme runs for 3-years full-time or 6 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175

Associated Research

A number of major research projects (including Doctoral and Postdoctoral posts in Language and Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Modern Literary Studies and Renaissance Literature) have been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Poetry and Irish writing remain at the core of the School's research expertise. The School is home to the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry and the Centre for the Americas. A number of staff participate in the Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the Institute of Irish Studies, and are fellows of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute For Global Peace, Security And Justice.