Postgraduate Research in Literature

The School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing is one of the top ten English research units in the U.K. (as confirmed by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework). Undertaking postgraduate research with us puts you at the forefront of internationally recognised research excellence.

Central to our research culture is our conviction that the best creative writing constitutes a fine-tuned critical practice, and is underpinned by rigorous research. Our PhD in creative-critical writing, which comprises complementary creative and critical components, is the expression of this conviction. Whether your expertise is in poetry, prose fiction, prose non-fiction or drama, we can provide you with a research ethos and creative culture that will challenge and inspire you to make your mark on your chosen field.

You will be guided in this by your PhD supervisors, each of whom is a leading expert in their field, and supported by the community of your research group. Our Creative Writing research group encompasses a wide variety of creative and critical practices and interests, from lyric poetry to political drama, memoir to crime fiction, the historical novel to life-writing. Each creative output that emerges from our School is underpinned by a solid foundation in research.

We have a thriving and welcoming postgraduate community in LDC among whom you will find shared interests and research connections. Our postgraduates, working together, organize international conferences, edit journals,