English

Overview

The Department of English conducts research in all the main branches of our discipline: literature, creative writing, language, applied linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). We aim to support world-leading work in all these areas and to foster and develop strategic partnerships, particularly with local and national cultural organisations, to reach those who can benefit from our research.

Introduction

The Department of English has an outstanding international reputation. We conduct research in all the main branches of our discipline: literature, creative writing, language, applied linguistics and TESOL. We aim to support world-leading work in all these areas and to foster and develop strategic partnerships, particularly with local and national cultural organisations, to reach those who can benefit from our research.

Our world-leading expertise in English and related literature spans all periods from medieval to contemporary. We also have expertise in many aspects of language study including sociolinguistics, pragmatics, stylistics, philosophy of language, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, applied linguistics. Our TESOL master’s degrees are taught by experts in fields such as Second Language Acquisition (SLA), spoken discourse and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Our creative writing degrees are supervised by published and award-winning writers with expertise in critical and creative writing, especially in poetry and/or poetics, and international poetics in translation.

Research topics

We particularly welcome research proposals that align with our research expertise.

• Medieval literature and culture
• Early modern literature and drama
• Eighteenth-century literature
• Romantic literature
• Victorian literature
• Twentieth-century literature
• Contemporary literature
• Science fiction
• Creative writing
• Irish studies
• American literature
• Global literatures
• Theatre and performance
• Literature and science
• Environment and blue humanities
• Literature and visual culture
• Literature and religion
• Literature and film
• Literature and health
• Literature and philosophy
• Children and children’s literature
• Editing and adaptation
• Theoretical linguistics.
• Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
• Spoken discourse
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• Corpus linguistics
• Discourse analysis
• Sociolinguistics
• Historical linguistics
• Pragmatics
• Semiotics.

Research culture

Ranked top 10 in the UK for research impact classified as outstanding (4) (Research Excellence Framework 2021), the Department of English conducts research in three main areas: literature, language and creative writing. Our work fosters interdisciplinarity and aims to develop strategic partnerships, particularly with local and national cultural organisations to reach those who can benefit from our research.

At the University of Liverpool, ‘English’ is the study of the interlinked activities and histories of speaking, listening, writing, reading, and communicating, in a global language of many variants and in literatures of many types. Our research has produced world-leading academic outputs and shows strong commitment to local, national and international public engagement activities and partnerships, and to generate maximum research impact on issues in health, education, citizenship, and heritage in the world of which the academy is part.

Key to our research strategy is the establishment of research centres and departmental clusters across our three main areas of expertise. These research units facilitate peer support, foster collaborative research and encourage different kinds of knowledge exchange and outreach work.

(Research Excellence Framework, 2021)

(QS World University Rankings, 2025)

How to apply

• 1. Identify potential supervisors Please take a look at our staff list to identify potential supervisors. If you need help finding a supervisor, please contact our Postgraduate Support team: pgarts@liverpool.ac.uk .

1. Identify potential supervisors

• 2. Prepare your application documents You may need the following documents to complete your online application: A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake) University transcripts and degree certificates to date Passport details (international applicants only) English language certificates (international applicants only) A personal statement A curriculum vitae (CV) Contact details for two proposed supervisors Names and contact details of two referees.

2. Prepare your application documents

• A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
• University transcripts and degree certificates to date
• Passport details (international applicants only)
• English language certificates (international applicants only)
• A personal statement
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact details for two proposed supervisors
• Names and contact details of two referees.
• 3. Apply Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £5,238 Part-time place, per year - £2,619

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £25,350 Part-time place, per year - £12,650

Fees stated are for 2026/27 and may be subject to change for academic year 2027/28. The University may administer inflationary rises to international fees in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs .

Funding your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding . These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom . Change it here.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Facilities and resources

You’ll have access to a variety of subscription databases. This includes Early English Books Online, Eighteenth-Century Collections Online, Literature Online and the Burney Collection of Newspapers. The Department of Englis h also hosts an On-demand Language Lab featuring specialist equipment and software packages to support research on literacy, computer-mediated communication, corpora creation and second language learning and testing.

You’ll also have access to the Special Collections and Archives department of the University Library, which houses:

• Literary manuscripts, including papers by Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes
• The largest specialist collection of science fiction materials in Europe, which includes the archive of John Wyndham
• Rare and early printed books
• Medieval manuscripts
• Poetry archives from the Romantic period to the present day.

Careers and employability

Studying for a PhD in English will enhance your employability in many ways. It will provide you with high level transferable skills in areas such as research, information analysis and management, writing and presenting.

A PhD in English will open up many possible future careers after you graduate. It is an essential first step if you are interested in teaching at University level, and would give you a great advantage in relation to many other educational roles. It will also put you in a strong position to apply for many jobs which require excellent research and communication skills, such as those in arts administration, writing and journalism, government and public sector research, project management and publishing.

Career support from day one to graduation and beyond

Once you graduate after completing your PhD, you’ll gain free access to Prosper to help you unlock your potential and kickstart your postdoctoral research career.

Prosper provides structured career development and support, designed specifically for postdocs, in close collaboration with employer partners and principal investigators.

Opportunities include coaching, workshops, webinars and a buddy scheme designed to help you realise the next step in your career journey.

You can also access online resources including the Prosper portal so you can manage your personal and professional development at your own pace.

As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Liverpool, you have access to an exciting portfolio of development opportunities, designed to support your ongoing success and help you realise your ambitions.

These development opportunities, available through The Academy’s PGR Development Hub , are suitable for all subject specialisms. You might be just commencing your research or in the final stages of completing your PhD.

An initial Development Needs Analysis will encourage you to reflect on your abilities. This exploration of your personal, professional and career development needs will form the foundation of a bespoke development plan you’ll agree with your supervisor.

The aim is to immerse yourself in new experiences, engage in development opportunities designed exclusively for postgraduate researchers, and reflect on your progress.

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in planning for your future career.

You can access tailored guidance and support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops.

The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

Meet our PhD researchers

These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

My supervisors are brilliant, and they support me to pursue my interests whilst ensuring that I stay on track – a PhD is a marathon, not a sprint!

Entry requirements

Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.

You’ll typically need a master’s degree in a related area of study, with a minimum 65% (Merit).

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country .

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications .

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification | Details

IELTS | 7.0 overall, with no component below 7.0

TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 24, writing 24, reading 24 and speaking 26. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 5 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.

Pearson PTE Academic | 69 overall, with no component below 69

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Our Pre-sessional English courses vary from 6, 10, 12, 20, 30 or 40 weeks.

You can email us at elc@liverpool.ac.uk for advice on the length of Pre-sessional English course you require. Please let us know your most recent score in one of the following English languages tests so we can assess your current English language ability:

We’ll be in touch to let you know the length of Pre-sessional English course you require. We’ll also confirm whether you can study Pre-Sessional English on campus or online.

• IELTS
• LanguageCert Academic
• Pearson PTE
• Skills for English
• Oxford Test for English
• Duolingo English Test

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Research areas