phd english australia

You have no saved courses.

Continue to explore your course options.

Your saved courses

I am an International Student

I am not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand

Switch to International

I am a Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen

I am an Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Switch to Domestic

• Current students
• Flinders dashboard (Okta)
• Ask Flinders
• Flinders Learning Online (FLO)
• Campus map: Bedford Park
• Staff directory
• Jobs at Flinders
• Shop Flinders merchandise

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Language, Literature and Culture

Undertake a phd in language, literature and culture.

Gain expertise in a specialised area of language, literature and culture

Pursue an advanced research project in English literary studies, philosophy, communications, or applied linguistics, and expand our understanding of the cultural and social forces that shape and steer the world today.

Research supervisors 

How to apply 

Enquire 

Master of Arts (Research)

Duration: 2 years

Delivery mode: In person

Location: Bedford Park

CRICOS code:  106282D

Annual fees: 2024: $36,300

Further information on fees listed

Doctor of Philosophy (Humanities)

Duration: 4 years

Delivery mode: In Person

CRICOS code:  106266D

Why undertake a PhD in Language, Literature and Culture

• Gain expertise in a specialised area.  You will become an international expert in your topic
• Make a difference to the world. Your research has the potential to improve people’s lives by understanding how our culture, and how we communicate, enables us to express ourselves, create new things, connect with each other, and make sense of our surroundings
• Explore a fascinating research question that no one has answered before. You will have the opportunity to fill a gap in current knowledge or answer a previously unresolved issue in your field

Your career

A PhD gained in an area of Language, Literature and Culture at Flinders provides a wide range of skills valued in all types of organisations and careers. It will enhance your creative practice, analytical and communication skills, provide you with skills to quickly learn new concepts and adapt to change, and enhance your time management, organisation and resilience skills.

A PhD is a stepping stone to a career as a professional researcher in the public sector, think tanks, charities, universities, and private corporations. Individuals with PhDs in languages, literature and culture are highly sought after for various professions in public and private organisations and have found roles in writing, the law, public service, consulting, advising, teaching and publishing.

Potential occupations include:

• Consultant or adviser
• Professional researcher

Potential employers include:

• Universities
• Think tanks
• Public sector
• Private corporations

Potential research supervisors

Flinders Language, Literature and Culture academic staff are recognised as leaders in their fields both in Australia and globally. Our academic supervisors draw on their extensive knowledge and exciting research covering topics related to Gothic and Romantic literature, graphic texts, Continental philosophy and English as a global language.

Learn what to prepare before approaching a potential research supervisor.

Ready to find the perfect supervisor for your research journey?

Explore Research @ Flinders.

Language, Linguistics & TESOL

Get inspired

How academic friendship transformed our phd experience.

While both completing a Life Writing PhD at Flinders, Edith Hill and Marina Deller reflect on how their friendship has supported their research.

Best before date - Ingrained ageism in literary fiction

A middle-aged women herself, HDR student Rebecca Carpenter-Mews is researching exactly how older women are depicted in contemporary fiction as part of her English literature PhD.

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application

Enquire now

Review answers to regularly asked questions about applying for a higher degree by research (FAQs).

After reviewing the Study HDR web pages and FAQs above, if you still have questions that have not been answered, complete the form. You must provide details about the Reason for your enquiry in the text box 'Ask a question here’.  

For queries relating specifically to a project, direct your enquiry to the  College where you plan to study.

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory Global | Online

Information for

• Future students
• Business and community
• External contractors

Directories

• Campus and locations
• Research Institutes and Centres

Follow Flinders

Website feedback

Accessibility

CRICOS Provider: 00114A      TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097      TEQSA category: Australian University

FOREVER FEARLESS

This website uses cookies.

Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation and a variety of purposes as set out in its website privacy statement . This statement explains cookies and their use by Flinders.

If you consent to the use of our cookies then please click the button below:

If you do not consent to the use of all our cookies then please click the button below. Clicking this button will result in all cookies being rejected except for those that are required for essential functionality on our website.

You're viewing this site as a domestic an international student

You're a domestic student if you are:

• a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

We have the answers to your research questions.

07 3346 0503

+61 7 3346 0503

 Send an enquiry

Email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

[email protected]

Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination.

A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time. Under guidance, you'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

The thesis is a substantial document that makes an original contribution to your field of research. Your thesis may involve an alternate format .

You'll need a strong academic background and you may need to submit a research proposal and other documents to support your application. About 1,000 PhD candidates join UQ each year researching a wide range of topics.

Research at UQ

UQ is one of Australia’s top research-intensive universities. Our research makes an impact on the world's cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Learn more about UQ's research

Program highlights

• Be inspired and challenged to explore new ideas and develop greater understanding of complex questions with leading researchers.
• Access premier resources including one of Australia’s largest libraries, with more than 2 million physical resources and 116,800+ journal subscriptions.
• Foster and improve your skills through the Career Development Framework, created with industry.
• Learn from researchers whose work addresses national and global cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

41 in the world

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024

51 in the world

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Supervision

You have to find and contact a thesis supervisor before you apply

This supervisor will support, guide and mentor you through your research, and can introduce you to professional networks that will start your career.

Find a supervisor

3-Minute Thesis

The showcase event for research candidates is the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). 

3MT is held each spring.

Learn more about the 3MT

Career development

UQ offers a range of development opportunities via the Career Development Framework (CDF) to help you develop portable skills for any career or industry.

Learn more about the CDF

Studying at UQ gave me the flexibility to expand my knowledge across different areas of science outside of my chosen specialty. Keeping my scientific and translational skills broad has allowed me to adapt to different environments and opportunities throughout my career.

Master of Business Analytics Information Webinar

MBA Information Event

12 November

Clinical Informatics and Digital Health

What’s it like to study architecture and urban planning as a postgraduate?

3-minute read

Doctor of Dental Medicine FAQs: all your questions answered

5-minute read

Why study business at UQ?

7-minute read

Why study accounting at UQ?

Entry requirements, gpa equivalent.

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA you need to be considered for this program.

Meeting the GPA requirement doesn’t guarantee admission.

Academic entry requirements

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

• have completed some research experience
• have completed an approved university degree  and
• can meet the English language requirements.

Approved degrees

An approved degree needs to be:

• in an area relevant to your proposed PhD project and
• completed no more than 10 years ago.

You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a PhD:

• Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
• Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honours class IIA or equivalent; or
• Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
• Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience , including research publications.

Research experience

You'll meet the requirements for admission into a PhD in terms of 'research preparedness' if you can provide evidence that you've planned and executed project work and/or a body of research with some independence.

To demonstrate this, we'll ask you to provide one of the following:

• with completed courses that aim to develop research skills (minimum value of #1 unit e.g. 50 per cent of a #2 unit course), and/or
• the completion of a supervised research project that includes an individually graded written report with a combined minimum course volume equal to #4 units at UQ.
• Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
• Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify you as a significant contributor.
• A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates your development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
• Demonstrable industry or work experience where you can demonstrate that you have planned and executed a project, working with a high level of independence.

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Philosophy are eligible to apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

This program has two CRICOS codes:

• 0100213 – Architecture, creative arts, education, health, information technology, management and commerce, mathematical sciences, social and cultural studies
• 0100214 – Agriculture and environmental studies, dentistry, engineering, human movement, medical studies, natural and physical sciences, pharmacy, psychology, veterinary science

Discuss your proposed project with us to determine which CRICOS code is most relevant for your visa application.

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional entry requirements

Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

Additional application information

Minimum English language proficiency requirements apply, please refer to the English proficiency policy .

English language requirements

There are a few ways you can meet our English language requirements. If you sit a test, the following scores are needed for PhD admission:

Read our English language requirements

Scholarships

There are several types of PhD scholarship:

• tuition fee scholarship : this covers the fees charged by UQ for PhD study
• living stipend scholarship: this is a   fortnightly payment (or stipend) to support your daily expenses
• top-up scholarship: may be provided by external organisations, supervisors, or philanthropic donations. When awarded, they provide an additional payment on top of a living stipend scholarship. They cannot be held without a living stipend scholarship.

Each year, we award more than 600 scholarships to attract and support the highest quality higher degree by research applicants.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

University scholarships

UQ scholarships include:

• Graduate School Scholarships
• Graduate School Tuition Fees Scholarship
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
• Earmarked Scholarships
• The Graduate School Scholarship

Other scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of other research scholarships, including top-up scholarships, travel grants and external scholarships, including:

• Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

How to apply for a scholarship

You can apply for many scholarships using the same form as your PhD application. External scholarships might have different ways to apply. 

Our Scholarships website explains how to apply for each scholarship. If you are applying for a non-UQ scholarship, outcome dates may vary.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Your fees will vary according to your academic field, study load and whether you study internally or remotely.

Learn more about postgraduate research fees

Research costs

The department you enrol with will meet all necessary costs for your project, including:

• resource and facility costs: at UQ, which may include other organisations in Australia or overseas
• travel costs: to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
• coursework costs: for courses studied outside the department
• relevant training: in particular methodologies or techniques.

How to apply

Before you apply, 1. check your eligibility.

Check your eligibility by reviewing the entry requirements for UQ's Higher Degrees by Research. If applying for a scholarship, check the scholarship's eligibility and important dates.

2. Approach a potential supervisor or find a project

You'll either need to find:

• a supervisor in your field who will support your proposed project.  Find a supervisor .
• a project you can join that suits your interests.  See available projects .

If you're choosing a supervisor, you'll need to find one with relevant expertise and get agreement to support your PhD and project.

Many departments will require additional information to make a decision around your motivation, understanding, commitment, and financial support required.

They may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

3. Gather your documents

You will need to compile the necessary documents. We will accept scanned copies of original documents, but you will have to keep all original documents for the duration of your studies.

Upload all documents as PDFs and name your files like this: LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf

If any of your documents is in a language other than English, you will need to send both the original document and an official translation.

Send the following documents with your application:

An academic CV assists us to determine your readiness to commence a higher degree by research. For the purposes of this application, your academic CV should be current (i.e. no more than 6 months old) and include information under the following headings:

Personal details

• your full name
• your contact details (phone number, email address, city and country of residence)
• nationality
• languages spoken and proficiency level for each
• your ORCID ID or other research output identifier (such as Google Scholar) if you have one (see the ORCID ID and research identifiers information provided by UQ Library).

As the purpose of this academic CV is to determine your academic suitability for a higher degree by research program at UQ and your competitiveness against other applicants, we only require information that is of direct relevance to our decision-making processes. With this in mind, please do not include the following in your academic CV:

• photographs/head shot
• marital status
• driver’s license
• date of birth/age
• hobbies and interests.

Educational qualifications and academic awards

List each of your formal educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent formal educational qualification listed first). For each qualification, include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the qualification
• the full title of the qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Arts instead of B.A.)
• the institution attended and the enrolling school/administrative unit
• the city and country where the institution is located
• your Grade Point Average (GPA) for the overall qualification
• any academic achievement awards (e.g. Dean’s awards, subject prizes, University medals, thesis prizes etc.) received for the qualification
• if a research thesis was part of the qualification, include the title and word length of your dissertation.

As part of your application, please submit academic transcripts and degree certificates for each educational qualification you list.

Please do not include:

• high school qualifications
• the individual subjects/courses undertaken throughout your qualifications or the grades awarded for these
• training courses/professional development activities not resulting in a formal qualification.

Professional affiliations and memberships

List any professional/disciplinary associations or committees that you a member of and include:

• the commencing and end date (in years) for the affiliation/membership
• the name of the professional association or committee
• your membership type (e.g. student member, affiliate member, full member etc.) or role (e.g. committee member, secretary, president etc.).

Employment history

List each of your previous employment roles in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent/current employment listed first) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the employment
• the title of each position
• the name of the employing organisation, the city, and country where you were based
• your main duties or accountabilities in that role, providing detailed information on any research-related activities
• any achievements during that role that are relevant to your proposed field of research .

Other research experience

List any voluntary, unpaid, or extra-curricular research-related projects or experiences you have undertaken (e.g. summer research projects, internships etc.) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) of the experience
• the name of the organisation, the city, and country where you were based

Research outputs

In reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent output first) list your research outputs,  including for example research published or accepted for publication, research reports, and research by creative practice.

If needed, use sub-headings to separate refereed journal articles, published conference proceedings, edited book chapters, books, creative works, industry reports, invited papers, patents, media commentary, conference presentations and posters, invited talks etc. If applicable, use additional sub-headings to indicate if outputs are published , accepted for publication (but not yet in print), or (submitted but) under review .

Do not include any outputs/publications that are ‘in preparation’ .

For all research outputs, include:

• the output/publication reference using an official bibliographical style (such as Turabian/Chicago, APA, Harvard), including listing all authors in the order that they appear in the work with your name in bold
• the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), PubMed Identifier (PMID), International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or URL where applicable
• the standing of the journal or conference and the impact of the work (e.g. impact factors, citations and other metrics indicators)
• relevant indicators of national or international significance
• rejection rates for the outlet etc.
• how much of the original research you were responsible for (i.e. what was your role in the conception and design of the project and how involved were you in the analysis and interpretation of the research data on which the publication is based?)
• the extent to which you authored the paper.

Research grants and relevant awards

Include only those research grants and relevant awards that you have received at the time of making your application (i.e. do not list grants or awards that you applied for and did not receive or are awaiting a decision on). For each research grant/award, include:

• the name of the granting/awarding body and the country in which they are based
• the name of the grant/award
• the year(s) in which the grant was active or the year in which the award was made
• the amount of the research grant/award
• if relevant (e.g. for research grants), the title of your application.

Applicants from creative and professional-based disciplines may also include non-research grants and awards related to their creative or professional practice.

Research achievements relative to opportunity (optional)

In recognition of the diverse personal and professional pathways that applicants have experienced, you are invited to provide information ( maximum 200 words ) to contextualise your research outputs and achievements, relative to the opportunities that you have had to participate in research-related activities.

This section of the CV is optional and should only be included if you believe there are factors relevant to your research achievements that you would like the selection panels to know. Examples of factors include (but are not limited to):

• study/career disruptions due to illness, caregiving, natural disasters etc.
• non-linear academic or career progression, or a change in career direction
• reduced ability to take up research-related opportunities (e.g. attend conferences) due to caregiving responsibilities.

Academic referees

Please provide us with two referees who can comment on your academic work. For each referee, include their:

• honorific and name
• employing organisation and the city and country where they are located
• contact details, including office address, telephone, fax and email (preferably an institutional, rather than private, email address)
• an indication of the capacity in which you know this person (e.g. were they a lecturer or thesis supervisor, an employer, how long you’ve known them etc.). 

If possible, please include at least one:

• senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work, and
• person who is not a member of your proposed advisory panel/supervisory team.

Formatting and document specifications

We recommend that you use the below formatting settings to improve the readability of your CV:

• margins of at least 1.5 centimetres
• single line spacing
• no smaller than 12 point Times New Roman font (or equivalent)
• left justify text (not full justify)
• include your name and page number on each page
• be consistent in your formatting and spelling throughout
• limit the use of bold, underline, italics, and multiple font types.

Please proofread your CV carefully before uploading it to your application.

Save as a PDF and name your file: LASTNAME_firstname_CV.pdf

There is no page limit to your academic CV – it can be as long as required to include the information requested here.

Please include in your CV all the headings listed above – if you do not have any content to add for a particular heading please list ‘None to date’ under that heading .

An academic CV for employment purposes within Australia would not include the information requested here outlining your three most significant publications or your research achievements relative to opportunity. It would, however, include information about professional and service activities undertaken and may include a summary of your relevant research/teaching interest areas and skill sets – this information is not required in the CV you submit here for application to an HDR program.

This should show all study you have undertaken since secondary school, whether complete or incomplete, including the institution grading scale. The grading scale is often found on the final page or the reverse page; be sure to include all pages.

An academic transcript can also be called an:

• academic record
• diploma supplement
• statement of learning
• record of achievement.

A degree certificate is a legal document, imprinted with a university seal. It should state the name of your qualification and areas of study.

Include all degree certificates (testamurs) for post-secondary study with your application. If you studied in China, you must provide a:

• award certificate and
• graduate statement/certificate.

All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements . Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.

Include a copy of the information page (with your photo) in your passport. This will verify your identity and ensure we can make offers correctly.

Include the contact details of two referees who will support your application. These referees will need to provide insight into your research experience.

We will contact your referees for a report, but you will need to enter their details into the application form.

Other documentation, originals or certified copies, may be required depending on your individual circumstances, for example:

• evidence of change of name
• proof of citizenship, if you are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand by birth
• evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status
• previous research program information .

If you don't provide us with all documents it will take us longer to process your application. Your start date might then be delayed, or you might miss an admission or scholarship deadline. 

4. Apply online

Once you have prepared your application and contacted a potential supervisor, use the online application form to apply. Your application can only be assessed once your referees have responded to us, and all outstanding documents and school/institute endorsements have been received.

Important dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ).

Candidates applying for a Student Visa or UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check  scholarship round application deadlines  and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your Confirmation of Enrolment.

Find out more about research quarter dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ). You can start a PhD in any quarter, as long as the Census Date hasn't passed.

Candidates applying for a UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your offer of admission.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

Express yourself. and your interest..

They say choosing a degree is hard, which is why we've made it easy. Register your interest and we'll send you everything you need to know about applying to UQ.

Sign up for updates

We will use your information to keep you informed about UQ programs, news, events and scholarships. By submitting this form, you consent to the terms of UQ's Marketing consent and privacy notice .

• Current students
• CASS Staff Hub
• Content manager

If you are considering furthering your research in literary studies you will want to learn from the best in Australia and immerse yourself in the field

Graduate research enquiry

Degrees offered

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

English research degrees are the centre of literary studies at ANU. Supervision is available in Australian and British literature; the latter covering a range of historical periods from the Renaissance to today. You may also focus on American, Commonwealth and comparative literature, gender studies and literary and cultural theory. The University's main research strengths for English are in 18th Century British and Irish literature, Romantic literary studies, Victorian, Neo-Victorian and modernist literature, postcolonial literature and theory, Australian literature, American literature and drama.

English literary studies

Open your heart and mind to the world around you

Literature is the richest record we have of what it means to be human—of our hopes, our fears, our passions, our struggles, our commitments. Studying English literary studies at UNSW, you will learn how literature from across the globe and across the centuries tells us who we are and shapes who we become.

Our teachers bring world-class expertise and infectious enthusiasm to the study of powerful and diverse literary texts. You will learn to appreciate literature’s cultural significance and formal sophistication, and to understand literature in its social and historical contexts. You will have an opportunity to think about the role of literature in your life and the lives of others, and the way in which literary writing is involved in solving problems and engaging with the world.

You will develop skills in textual analysis and in crafting compelling arguments—skills which are essential to navigating the modern world. Our offerings are also closely linked to courses in Creative Writing, giving you the opportunity to combine new analytical skills with creative experimentation.

Make a difference and expand your opportunities

In an increasingly uncertain world, innovative thinking and persuasive communication are vital. Students of English literary studies at UNSW acquire the skills to be the energetic leaders of the future, thinking critically and creatively about the world around them. Our students are uniquely placed to respond to the shifting demands of changing workplaces.

Graduates of UNSW English literary studies work all over the world in many fields, from publishing and arts administration, through education, the media, and the law, to careers as writers, actors, and practitioners in other creative industries.

Learn from world-renowned researchers

English literary studies at UNSW is a dynamic hub of researchers and writers with established international reputations. UNSW English literary studies was ranked in the world’s top 70 departments of English literature and 5th in Australia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2024, and it has been home to multiple major ARC-funded research projects.

We are also home to Southerly , Australia’s oldest and most prestigious literary journal, and to Juvenilia Press, for which students themselves collaborate with teachers in producing edited editions of writers’ early works. In addition to research, scholarly editing is a significant strength in English literary studies at UNSW, and both these strengths feed our excellence in teaching.

Quick links

Our undergraduate degrees cover a broad range of literary periods, locations, and styles. Working extensively in the ‘long modern’ period extending from the Renaissance to today, you can specialise in several established academic specialisations including Australian literature, creative writing, modern and postmodern literature, and the generic understanding of texts.

Through your study you'll come to understand the intersections between literature and social justice. Many of our courses tackle the worldly, political entanglements of the literary tradition.

Our degree options include:

• Bachelor of Arts 
• Bachelor of Arts/Law
• Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce/Arts 
• Bachelor of Computer Science/Arts
• Bachelor of Economics/Arts
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Arts
• Bachelor of Environmental Management/Arts
• Bachelor of Fine Arts/Arts
• Bachelor of Media / Arts
• Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine/Arts
• Bachelor of Science/Arts
• Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics)(Honours)/Arts
• Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Arts

We offer the below undergraduate courses with a minor only in English: 

• Bachelor of Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Bachelor of Media
• Bachelor of Social Sciences

An honours degree is an extra year of study that combines aspects of undergraduate study with elements of postgraduate research and is available to students who have a grade average of 70% in a particular degree. Guided by professional staff, you’ll develop your research skills and strengthen your argumentation and written expression.

Postgraduate research candidates in English literary studies undertake original research that answers difficult and timely questions about national identity, place, culture, narrative and aesthetic achievement. We offer supervision in English in the  Doctor of Philosophy  and  Masters by Research  (MRes).

You'll benefit from interdisciplinary approaches to postgraduate study that links literary studies with film, music, the visual arts, cultural studies, theatre, history, politics, philosophy, creative writing and linguistics.

The school’s postgraduate research cohort is one of the largest and most vibrant at UNSW. Our dynamic and diverse graduate students research across a wide range of topics, contribute to the school’s annual postgraduate conference, publish in reputable journals, conduct archival research internationally, and regularly present at national and international conferences.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Graduate Research Academy
• Level 2, 16 Wally’s Walk
• Macquarie University NSW 2109
• T: +61 (2) 9850 4741
• E: [email protected]

How to apply

See steps for submitting your application

Master of Research (MRes)

Your main pathway to a PhD at Macquarie University

International opportunities

Gain a global perspective and expand your research network

Make your mark with extensive, independent research

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded for research that demonstrates that the student has the capacity to conduct significant independent research.

At Macquarie we aim to deliver world leading research and world changing impact. If you share our passion to not only think about the future but to build it then we invite you to join us.

Our PhD program will support you to develop the skills and knowledge to operate at the frontiers of knowledge. Skills like analytical thinking and innovation, complex problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, leadership and social influence and technology design and programming, all of which have been identified by the World Economic Forum in the top 10 skills of the future.

Learn more about our  research strengths, quality and impact .

Listen to some of our PhD students talk about their research impact

Watch video

Ruby Stephens, School of Natural Sciences

How was the ancestor of all flowers pollinated?

Gillian Smith, Department of History and Archaeology

The Ancient Egyptian Karnak Temple

Hamid Yahyaei, Department of Applied Finance

Where does money come from?

Melody Labrune, Macquarie Medical School

A 3D computed shoulder model

Important dates and more information

We accept course applications all year round for MPhil/PhD degrees. See below to make sure you meet other requirements before applying.

Entry requirements

• completion of a Master of Research (MRes) with a grade of at least a Distinction level (75 per cent or greater)
• a Master of Philosophy
• a two-year masters degree with a major research component at Distinction level (75 per cent or greater).

Note: the entry requirements for  cotutelle and joint PhD are the same as for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Further requirements include:

• peer-reviewed research output may be taken into consideration for admission to the program
• you must also demonstrate your suitability for entry to the program by including a detailed research proposal
• entry will also be assessed on availability of appropriate supervision and resources.
• candidates who have not completed an MRes and do not meet the above criteria may be asked to undertake the Master of Research as a research training pathway to the Doctor of Philosophy.

For admission to the PhD, the University needs to confirm that prospective candidates will be able to complete their degree within the stated time periods, and that they have undertaken:

• Significant study of their discipline beyond undergraduate level, are equipped to make strategic decisions about the state of research in their field and key new directions for research, and are thus ready to conduct an HDR level project.
• A substantial research project at masters level that indicates they have significant experience in independently identifying a research question, designing a research project using a methodology that they have been able to justify in relation to alternatives, and that their project has produced coherent and well-justified conclusions, situated in relation to the literature.

English language requirements

Macquarie University requires all research candidates (both domestic and international) to have and maintain a high level of English language proficiency. Applicants will need to demonstrate they have met this through one of the following requirements.

1: Five years’ study in selected countries

You have completed a minimum of five years’ study in one or more of the following countries:

• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Note: citizens, passport holders and permanent residents of the above listed English speaking countries are  not exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency in the form of an acceptable English language test score unless they can show evidence of at least five years’ study in one or more of these countries.

2: Hold a valid English language proficiency test

The test must not be more than  two years old at the time of submitting your application to Macquarie University:*

Please note: TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. See English language visa requirements .

^IELTS Online test scores will not be accepted.

Visa applicants should refer to the Document Checklist Tool to find out which documents need to be attached to their visa application and acceptable English language tests to satisfy the visa requirements.

If you are applying for a research degree in English Literature or Law you will need to meet the required levels of English proficiency required by those programs:

• English Literature (in Media, Communications, Culture, Languages, and Literature): IELTS overall score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other categories.
• Macquarie Law School: IELTS score of 7.0 overall, and a minimum of 6.5 in any category.

*Note:  Applicants who wish to seek an exemption to the requirement to provide English Language test scores on the grounds of a minimum of three years’ working experience or equivalent in an English speaking country will be asked to provide a letter from their employer, or equivalent, on an official letterhead which states:

• their position title
• the duties they undertook
• an idea of what level of English was spoken and how English was used in terms of written or verbal communication, for the endorsement of the Associate Dean (RTP) of the Faculty and recommendation to the GRA.

3: Successful qualification

You have successfully completed a bachelor degree in Australia (Australian Qualification Framework AQF7), or higher, within two years of submitting your application.

4: Approved for a package offer

If you have sat an approved English Language test as above, but do not meet the minimum band scores in one skill area but are otherwise eligible for a program of study, you may be issued an offer of study that includes an English preparation program at the  Macquarie University English Language Centre (ie a packaged offer).

International students with a packaged offer can apply for a single student visa covering both their English preparation program and their course of study at Macquarie University.

If you have previously completed an English language preparation program from Macquarie University, the results must not be more than  12 months  old at the time of submitting your application for the HDR program.

Length of candidature

A PhD is a three-year full-time research study program.

Facts & figures

English Language and Literature

• #1 in Australia
• #19 in the world
• 2024 QS World University rankings

English and Writing

Placing first in Australia and 18th internationally in the 2023 QS World University rankings for English Language and Literature, our discipline is held in very high regard. With more than 30 full-time staff, we have one of the largest cohorts of academics specialising in English and Creative Writing.

Our lecturers have a broad range of expertise traversing genres, authors and historical periods in English literature and language, as well as Australian, American and Irish literatures, literary theory, film and television studies, writing and rhetorical studies, and creative writing.

Our study offering

Creative writing - postgraduate and research.

Explore and develop your skills in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and other forms of writing. Gain a deep understanding of theories and histories of writing and develop the core skills of writing, structuring and editing. We give you intimate access to Sydney’s literary life, including a constant calendar of readings, performances, major literary and cultural events, and a host of celebrated visitors.

Postgraduate coursework 

Master of creative writing.

• Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
• Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Master of Philosophy  
• Master of Arts (Research)  

English - undergraduate

Bring together contemporary critical theory with literary narratives and investigate how and why literature remains an influential cultural form in the 21st century. Consider the ways in which the study of literature works within a specifically Australian cultural context and explore the expansion of literary and cultural narratives across a broad transnational framework.

Undergraduate

• English (major) *
• English (minor) *
• English (Honours)

*Available to all students studying the  Bachelor of Arts ,  Bachelor of Economics  and  Bachelor of Visual Arts , as well as all combined  Bachelor of Advanced Studies  degrees.  

English - research

English has a vital research culture and offers postgraduate supervision across an extensive range of areas. These include: Medieval and Early Modern Literature; Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Literature; Modern and Contemporary Literature; Australian and Aboriginal literature and culture; American literature and culture; British and Irish literature; world literatures; literary and cultural theories; studies in gender and sexuality; film and TV studies; scholarly editing and language studies; poetry, poetics, drama and the novel; rhetoric, aesthetics, hermeneutics and semantics; and creative writing.

• Master of Philosophy
• Master of Arts (Research)

English Studies - postgraduate

English Studies delves into contemporary critical theory, the enduring significance of literature in the 21st century, and Australian literary works. It offers critical reading, literary history, and exploration of English as world literature. Tailored for research students, secondary school teachers, and literature enthusiasts seeking advanced studies.

Postgraduate coursework

Master of english studies.

• Graduate Certificate in English Studies
• Graduate Diploma in English Studies

Master of English Studies explained

Our research.

Through our leading researchers, we have expertise in these areas:

• The Novel, Drama, Poetry
• Literary History
• Literary and cultural theory
• National and Global literatures
• Language studies
• Creative writing and practice-led research
• Academic writing and rhetorical studies
• Film and television studies

Research groups and projects

The novel network.

The Novel Network group examines the relationship between the novel and the ‘everyday’.

Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture

The  Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture group seeks to develop intellectual and creative ties with contemporary practitioners of all kinds.

The Medieval and Early Modern Centre

The Medieval and Early Modern Centre  explores the historical, literary, linguistic, musical and artistic history of the medieval and early modern world.

The Shakespeare Reloaded/Better Strangers project

Combining the experience and skills of academics and school teachers, the Shakespeare Reloaded/Better Strangers project develops fresh approaches to the teaching of Shakespeare, producing educational activities for the classroom, professional development workshops and the publication of research outputs on the theory and practice of pedagogy. 

Academic staff

• Professor   Daniel Anlezark
• Dr  Vanessa Berry
• Dr Nienke Boer
• Dr Meg Brayshaw
• Professor  Mark Byron
• Dr  Belinda Castles
• Dr  Anthony Cordingley
• Associate Professor Frances Di Lauro
• Dr Kirk Dodd
• Dr Briohny Doyle
• Dr Bronwen Dyson
• Dr Jedidiah Evans
• Dr Toby Fitch
• Associate Professor  Sarah Gleeson-White
• Associate Professor  Huw Griffiths
• Dr  Isabelle Hesse
• Dr Alex Howard
• Associate Professor  Rebecca Johinke
• Dr Benjamin Miller
• Dr  Peter Minter
• Dr Dashiell Moore
• Dr  Pamela O'Neill
• Dr  Nicola Parsons
• Dr  Nicholas Riemer
• Professor  Liam Semler
• Associate Professor  Jan Shaw
• Professor  Vanessa Smith
• Dr  Matthew Sussman
• Associate Professor Susan Thomas
• Dr Lucas Thompson
• Dr Beth Yahp

Key academic contacts

• Associate Professor Rebecca Johinke , Chair of Discipline
• Dr Anthony Cordingley , Undergraduate Course Component Coordinator
• Associate Professor Sarah Gleeson-White , Honours Coordinator
• Dr  Belinda Castles , Postgraduate Program Coordinator, Creative Writing
• Dr  Meg Brayshaw , Postgraduate Program Coordinator, English Studies
• Professor Vanessa Smith , Research Director

Honorary Associates

• Emeritus Professor  Geraldine Barnes
• Associate Professor  David G. Brooks
• Emeritus Professor  Margaret Clunies Ross
• Dr  Jessica Milner Davis
• Ms Michelle de Kretser
• Emeritus Professor  John Frow
• Emeritus Professor Robert Dixon
• Dr Kathleen French
• Emeritus Professor  Penny Gay
• Professor Paul Giles
• Associate Professor  Jenny Gribble
• Professor Emeritus Margaret Harris
• Dr Meegan Hasted
• Associate Professor  Rosemary Huisman
• Dr  Louise Katz
• Associate Professor  Peter Kirkpatrick
• Associate Professor Kate Lilley
• Emeritus Professor  Peter Marks
• Dr  Beverley Sherry
• Associate Professor Brigid Rooney
• Dr Daniel Tyler
• Emeritus Professor  Michael Wilding
• Dr  Sue Woolfe

Visit the School's events calendar  to see our upcoming events and seminars about English, literature, and creative writing.

Discipline Chair

• [email protected]

Useful links

Stay up-to-date

• School events
• English@USyd Podcast
• English current students website
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on YouTube
• Follow us on Facebook

Featured news

How furiosa's silence in the new mad max speaks volumes about women's agency, holding the man at belvoir holds precious memories for queer community, transforming justice: the power of arts education.