Claire Allen
Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:October, March;location:Waterside
English MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works
Key Facts
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Duration
MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years, Part time 30 months - 5 years
PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years
PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years -
Level
PostgraduatePG PhD
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See Fees and Funding
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See Fees and Funding
Updated 10/12/2025
Updated 10/12/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
If you have a bachelor’s degree or Masters in English, a humanities topic, or a related field, this English MPhil, PhD, or PhD by Published Works programme is an ideal way to broaden your knowledge and research abilities. A successful defence of your final thesis will provide you the highest accreditation that any UK institution can bestow, as well as a good opportunity to progress into a wide range of areas such as taking up roles in teaching and the media. Visit our Centre for Cultural and Literary Studies to learn more about our ongoing research initiatives.
Apply by 1 August for our October intake and 11 December for our March intake.
Highlights
- The range of expertise offered by this programme is unique to the University of Northampton and we have research expertise covering Literatures in English from the Renaissance to the present day. We can supervise topics including: Victorian Studies, Trauma Narratives, Sex, Gender and Sexuality, Modernist Cultures, Children’s and YA Literatures, Ecocriticism and the Anthropocene, Postmodernism and Beyond, Shakespeare,
American Literatures, Postcolonialism and Global Literatures in English, Film, TV and Screen Studies, Creative Writing. - We offer opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study, including with areas such as History and Media.
- We have links with a range of local and national organisations.
- You will study in a supportive environment with staff who want to see you succeed.
Link and collaborate on an interdisciplinary level across the University. Including, for example, attending regular research seminars, conferences and activities by the Art and Design Research Centre, developing relationships with Gaming, Drama, and/ or participate and contribute to the Art and Design Research Centre. Content: Develop theory, knowledge, and high-level skills in music composition, exploring our recording studio facilities, complete with Pro Tools systems, Audient Desk and high-fidelity custom built mid and near-field monitoring, and spatial systems. See, Facilities below for more information
Entry Requirements
You’re normally expected to have a first or upper second-class honours degree or Masters Degree from a UK university or international equivalent.
Your qualification should be in a subject area relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Individual consideration will be given to students with lower-level degrees or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience is required.
As part of the selection process, all qualified candidates will be expected to attend an interview.
All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- successful interview outcome.
- availability of suitable Research Supervision Support.
If you are applying for Research study, you will need to write a research proposal. Find out how to write a research proposal.
More detailed information about the research degrees is available on our Graduate school page.
If you’d like to join us as a research student, then please review the webpages below:
- browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.
- Find out how to apply for a MPhil/ PhD/ PhD by Published Works at the University of Northampton.
IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component including writing. We will also consider equivalent English language qualifications.
We are unable to consider applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components from a test taken within the last two years.
What You'll Learn
This English PhD course allows you to specialise and increase your technical abilities.
While developing and establishing research projects, you will get general, discipline-based, and project-specific training so that you may perform your research work effectively and independently. When you complete this course, you will be able to pursue an academic job or a research position in a related subject.
You will be supervised throughout your project by English tutors who are specialist in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals.
What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?
A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,700
- UK – Part Time: £2,845
- International – Full Time: £16,350
- International – Part Time: £7,640
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,600
- International – Part Time: £7,840
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,500
- UK – Part Time: £2,775
- International – Full Time: £15,950
- International – Part Time: £7,450
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works.
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,500
- International – Part Time: £7,650
Staff
Phillippa Bennett
Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
Richard Chamberlain
Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
Rod Rosenquist
Senior Lecturer in English & Creative Writing
David Simmons
Senior Lecturer in English & Screen Studies
Careers and Employability
Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have moved into academic research related to their topic, while others have gone on to take up roles in teaching and the media. Some have engaged in PhD level research for a retirement project.
