DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - English

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DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - English

• DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - English: School of Arts, English and Languages | PHD Applications are now CLOSED
• Project details
• Subject information
• Course content
• Entry Requirements
• Fees and Funding
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Overview

The School of Arts English and Languages invites applications for fully-funded PhD studentships in 8 thematic areas, each generously funded by the Department for the Economy.

Full details of individual projects and codes can be viewed at https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Study/FundingScholarships/#dfe-department-for-the-economy-2026-entry-4916658-1

Funding Information

These studentships provide full tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for a maximum duration of three years, subject to eligibility.

Dr Justin Livingstone

More Information

j.livingstone@qub.ac.uk

Full-time: 3 years

English overview

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/ Mode of study/duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD (or part-time equivalent).

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in the professional and research activities of the School. These include:

• Supervision by internationally renowned experts. Become part of the lively research culture of the School, including the Seamus Heaney Centre, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the study and production of literature. A thriving postgraduate culture which includes an annual postgraduate conference and a peer mentoring scheme. English Language and Literature is one of the Queen’s subjects in the top 100 in the world according to QS World Rankings by subject 2026. Creative Writing ranked 2nd in the UK in the Times Good University Guide 2022.
• Regular research seminars for academics in English, as well as access to other subjects' research seminar programmes and the vibrant Seamus Heaney Centre events programme.
• Access to The Graduate School's programme of postgraduate development activities and training.
• Opportunities to engage with the AEL Student Research Network and organise and present at the annual postgraduate conference.

Course content

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 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 Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.

Introduction For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Careers, Employability and Skills team on acareers@qub.ac.uk / +44 (0) 28 9024 5133. https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Dr Justin Livingstone Senior Lecturer in English Literature SAEL Email: j.livingstone@qub.ac.uk

List of Potential Supervisors for English PhD https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Connect/KEYSCHOOLCONTACTS/#english-a-k-1177768-4

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.

Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.

Entrance requirements

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.

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 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.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £23,600

International | £23,600

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

English costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Additional course costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

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

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 linked here .

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

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas