Throughout your course you will have opportunities to interact with academics and specialists in your field. Funds are available for you to present your work in professional academic settings at international and national conferences and we will encourage you to submit papers and seek opportunities to publish and engage different audiences with your research.  All our doctoral students make a vital contribution to the intellectual life of the University from the earliest stages of their research.

The Humanities Research Centre hosts a stimulating seminar series featuring established academics and practitioners in the field.

SHU doctoral students are supported to enter the national ‘3-minute thesis’ competition.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

77% of our research in English Language & Literature was assessed as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

You will work with a supervisory team with expertise in your chosen research area who will help you to define and plan your research programme, agree associated training requirements, and provide direction while supporting you to develop as an independent researcher.  You will join a dynamic community of postgraduate researchers and have opportunities to share your work at SHU and beyond.

You learn through

• independent study
• project supervision
• active research and/or creative practice (as appropriate)
• researcher development training events
• presenting your research at conferences and seminars
• participation in lively debate and discussion with your peers
• writing and defending a doctoral thesis

You will receive training on professional standards in research practice, including ethics and project management, and how to enhance your personal effectiveness as a researcher. You will explore how to disseminate your research and establish an academic profile.  You will present at the Culture & Creativity Research Institute (CCRI) interdisciplinary conferences on the themes of research METHOD and research IMPACT, which provide a platform for focussed discussion on research process and practice and questions of application, audience, and impact.

Your learning is supported by access to

• a dedicated Postgraduate Research Tutor for Humanities and PGR administration team
• a library research support team and 24-hour access to library facilities
• SHU Academic Skills Centre with sessions specifically for doctoral researchers
• the University English Scheme for international students
• a programme of support for doctoral student wellbeing

A research degree is an essential qualification for academic careers such as teaching English in higher education. The rigorous analytical thinking necessary for research degrees is attractive to employers. You will have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills which are applicable in related areas such as museums, archives, libraries, university administration, the media, and beyond.

Typically, applicants should hold an undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and a relevant master’s qualification (or expectation of the same) at merit or above in a relevant subject, and with strong performance (2.1 or above) in research related modules.  We may consider applications from candidates with an exceptional performance (1st class) in an undergraduate degree only.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an IELTS score of 7.0, with 7.0 in all components (or equivalent). Please note that your test score must be current, i.e., within the last two years.

Applicants must submit a 1,500-word research proposal with their application form and documents. Creative Writing and Performance candidates who wish to pursue practice-led research should also supply a CV including details of their creative practice work.  Suitable candidates are invited to an interview and will be asked to give a short presentation about their proposed research.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their research interests to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our expertise.

Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.