The Department of English Studies offers supervision by research at the doctoral level, leading to a PhD. All PhD programmes are watched over by a three-member committee, which is appointed every two years. The Committee is chaired by a Postgraduate Coordinator. While there are no taught PhD programmes, the Department does offer PhD degree schemes in subjects related to all research interest areas of its academic faculty.

PhD programmes do not necessarily recruit students every year. Please, check on the relevant announcements of the Graduate School for updated information. The PhD guidelines for students of the Department of English Studies can be found here.

The relevant announcements of the Graduate School also contain full information on the application period, the number of students to be admitted to each programme, the admission requirements and the application procedure. Generally, applicants for admission at PhD level must hold a Master degree (or equivalent), awarded by a recognised University in a subject related to their proposed field of study; alternatively, they must show evidence of their ability to conduct research. Although candidates need not have completed their degree at the time of application, they must have received it before they are allowed to commence the PhD programme chosen.

Currently, the following PhD programmes run at the Department of English Studies:

  • PhD in English Literature & Comparative Cultural Studies

Purpose and Objectives of the Programme 

The doctoral programme in English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies is designed for students who wish to undertake research in Anglophone or comparative literature, with particular emphasis on theoretical, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students may explore cross-cultural dimensions within English Studies, Anglophone literature in relation to literatures in other languages, intergeneric approaches to literature, or recent developments in literary and cultural analysis, drawing from disciplines such as psychoanalysis, anthropology, sociology, political theory, history, philosophy, gender and postcolonial studies.

For more information on the PhD in English Literature & Comparative Cultural Studies click here.

  • PhD in Linguistics

Purpose and Objectives of the Programme 

The doctoral programme in Linguistics is designed for students who wish to undertake research in applied and theoretical linguistics in the areas of morpho-syntax, semantics and pragmatics, phonetics and phonology, first and second language acquisition, bilingualism, bi(dia)lectalism, multilingualism, sociolinguistics, teaching and education. Students may explore a wide range of topics related to multiple theoretical perspectives and the very latest developments in linguistics and language acquisition research in recent years such as formalist, functionalist and emergentist models of language; generative, psycholinguistic, cognitive, functional, sociocultural, sociolinguistic and educational perspectives of language acquisition and teaching. They may focus on cross-linguistic interference, language development and use, knowledge, comprehension and production associated with memory, cognition and emotion; cognitive processes involved in first, second, third language acquisition, psycholinguistic and neurocognitive underpinnings of language processing; language contact, maintenance and endangerment; different language acquisition contexts and conditions, child and adult language acquisition, heritage language acquisition and language attrition; metalinguistic awareness, speech perception and production, orthography, critical digital literacy; ideologies of language, language planning and policies, family language policy, home literacy environment, code-mixing, code-switching and intercultural communication.

For more information on the PhD in Linguistics click here.

  • PhD in Translation Studies

Purpose and Objectives of the Programme

The doctoral programme in Translation Studies is designed for students who wish to undertake theoretical or applied research in areas of written language and cultural transfer (Translation) or oral language and cultural transfer (Interpreting), with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary perspectives. Students may explore a wide range of written and/or oral kinds of translation and interpreting such as literary translation, drama translation, specialised translation and/or interpreting, journalistic/political translation and/or interpreting, community translation and/or interpreting, conference interpreting, audio-visual translation, transcreation, or non-professional translation in other contexts. They may focus on any aspect of the above kinds of transfer, e.g., on linguistic, cognitive, social, cultural, or technological aspects, drawing from relevant and neighbouring disciplines.

For more information on the PhD in Translation Studies click here.