University of Kent

Poetry: Text, Practice as Research - PhD

University of KentCanterbury, United Kingdom

Course overview

You will produce a volume of poetry as well as a piece of scholarly research of 30-40,000 words. Given its emphasis on poetic practice as research into the possibilities and potential for contemporary poetry, the programme integrates with the aims and objectives of the Centre for Modern Poetry allowing for joint supervision between the two centres. Cross-faculty work on modern poetry with colleagues in Modern Languages and in Comparative Literature is also encouraged.

The programme acknowledges the fact that poetry has historically understood itself as an art, consciously informed by research. The School of English has a strong international reputation and global perspective, apparent both in the background of its staff and in the diversity of our teaching and research interests. Our expertise ranges from the medieval to the postmodern, including British, American and Irish literature, postcolonial writing, 18th-century studies, Shakespeare, early modern literature and culture, Victorian studies, modern poetry, critical theory and cultural history.

The international standing of the School ensures that we have a lively, confident research culture, sustained by a vibrant, ambitious intellectual community. We also count a number of distinguished creative writers among our staff, and we actively explore crossovers between critical and creative writing in all our areas of teaching and research. The Research Excellence Framework 2021 has produced very strong results for the School of English at Kent.

With 100% of its research environment and 100% of its research impact judged to be ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The Times Higher Education has ranked English at Kent in the UK top 20 in its subject league table, out of 92 universities. As scholars and creative practitioners, academic staff in the School of English are national and international leaders in their fields.

The expert panel judged 93% of its research overall and just under 90% of its research outputs, as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Key highlights

  • Produce a volume of poetry plus 30-40,000 words of research
  • Joint supervision possible with the Centre for Modern Poetry
  • Cross-faculty work with Modern Languages and Comparative Literature encouraged
  • Distinguished creative writers among the academic staff
  • Research environment and impact 100% world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
  • English ranked in UK top 20 by Times Higher Education

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — to include relevant subject; or above
  • Degree: 2:1 — to include relevant subject; or above

Scholarships

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship

    Scholarship value up to £10,000.

  • Kent Business School Beaconhouse PG Progression Scholarship

    Tuition fee discount scholarship of £6,000.

    Up to £6,000

  • Kent Business School Dean's Excellence Scholarship Award

    Awards of up to £3,000

  • Kent Business School MBA Scholarship

    50% off Tuition Fee.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Kent Graduate Scholarship

    20% fee reduction for post-graduate taught programmes at the University of Kent.

    Up to 20% of fees

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught

    Scholarship value - £5000

    Up to £5,000

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught (KBS)

    Scholarship value £3000

    Up to £3,000

  • Kent LLM Solicitors’ Practice Scholarship (Canterbury)

    £2,000 tuition fee discount (Home Students); £2,000 tuition fee discount (Overseas Students).

    Up to £2,000

  • Sasha Roberts Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The “Ambition” Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £1,500 for Full Time UK students; £750 per year for Part Time UK students; £3,000 for Full Time Overseas students.

  • The CAMEMS Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The Widening Participation Ambition Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £5,000 for UK students (£2,500 per year for part time students).

Careers this course leads to

  • Poet
  • University lecturer
  • Creative writing tutor
  • Academic researcher
  • Editor
  • Literary critic

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 per year | International: £19,300 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Kent, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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