English (MA by Research / MRes / PhD)

Learn with regular tutorials with supervisors, combined with peer group seminars and discussions. Research opportunities in English language and English literature are available for either full-time or part-time study, and are offered at all levels, enabling you to be innovative, critical and original.

Along with our libraries and university archives, we offer first-class resources, such as the Dymock Poets Archive and Study Centre, containing manuscripts, first editions and other materials relating to Robert Frost, Lascelles Abercrombie, Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, Wilfrid Gibson and Eleanor Farjeon.

The school maintains close links with The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, and sponsors the annual Laurie Lee Memorial Lecture in tribute to this famous Gloucestershire writer. Cheltenham’s vibrant cultural life enriches our research environment. We offer seminars by visiting lecturers across the university, and you will be invited to contribute to these events. You will be encouraged to attend and participate in research conferences. You will be well supported by your supervisory team and can expect regular tutorials with supervisors, combined with peer group seminars and discussions.

We offer interdisciplinary research degrees in creative writing and other subject areas. Using a supervisory team, as opposed to an individual supervisor, makes this mode of study particularly appropriate.

All students are required to take and complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods to support the development of their project and their education as researchers

Research Areas:

In English language, our research expertise covers;

• critical discourse analysis
• language variation and change
• language and identity
• rhetoric
• language and ecology
• ecolinguistics
• sociolinguistics
• language and gender
• dialectology
• new media literacy.

Other topics include;

• the Renaissance and Caroline drama
• 19th-century literature and culture
• textual editing, children’s literature
• American literature
• women’s writing and psychoanalysis.

We especially welcome research proposals on regional writers.

Whereas in English Literature, our research expertise ranges from Renaissance to the present day and staff boast extensive supervision experience in contemporary writing and theory.

This research contributes to the subject community Literacy and Critical Studies and the research priority area Being Human: Past, Present and Future.

Entry requirements

• MA by Research: at least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area
• PhD: a masters degree or equivalent in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic
• We actively encourage applications from students from different backgrounds who demonstrate appropriate research experience and achievement
• EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in any other component) or equivalent

Fees

Home/EU fees are £2885 part time or £5770 full time. International fees are £6400 part time or £12800 full time. The relevant fee is paid for each year of study. Courses delivered outside of the UK have a £3000 surcharge if delivered in the EU or a £3500 surcharge if delivered outside the EU.

For further information on additional fees and surcharges please refer to the Tuition Fee and Bursary Policy for payment methods and timescales.

Staff Profile

Dr. Robin Griffiths

Postgraduate Research Lead for the School of Liberal and Performing Arts

"Robin’s research over the past twenty years has been funded by both the British Academy and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and is primarily concerned with queer debates around national identity, spectatorship and representation."

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Publications

• Griffiths, Robin M (2018-03-14) “You miserable, no good, dirty sons of bitches!”: Queer(y)ing the Politics of Identity in 1970s Canuxploitation Cinema
• Griffiths, Robin M (2017-04-27) "Bitches, Bullies and Brutes": Re-Viewing Gender in 1970s Canuxploitation Cinema
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• Academia.edu

Undertake disciplinary research with a team of specialist supervisors

Combine your research with another subject. Our system of using a supervisory team, as opposed to an individual supervisor, makes this mode of study particularly appropriate.

Develop your high-level critical thinking, which is of value to a range of employers.

We are recognised for world-leading and internationally excellent research (2014 Research Excellence Framework) and offer strong links with prestigious festivals and writers.