English

Introduction

Welcome to English. We are a thriving subject area with a strong research culture in language, linguistics, literature and creative writing. In the most recent national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), 70% of research in English was judged to be of international standard, including 20% judged either internationally excellent or world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

We are currently engaged in a wide variety of research projects and impact-related work and we frequently host international conferences and symposia. English is also home to the Stylistics Research Centre, one of the foremost places internationally for research in stylistics and related areas of language study.

We have a strong postgraduate community and we welcome applications from potential research students and visiting researchers.

Expertise

Our particular areas of expertise encompass the following:

English language and linguistics

• Bilingualism
• Conversation analysis
• Corpus linguistics
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• History of the English language
• Intercultural communication
• Language acquisition
• Multimodal communication
• Pragmatics
• Sociolinguistics
• Stylistics

English literature and cultural studies

• 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 19^th and 20^th century literature
• Contemporary literature
• Critical theory
• Gender studies
• Manuscript studies
• Modernism
• Postcolonial theories, literatures and popular cultures
• Postmodernism
• Romanticism

Creative writing

• Writing stage plays
• Writing radio plays
• Writing fiction
• The relationship between social structures and narrative

Postgraduate study

We offer a range of postgraduate qualifications and welcome applications from well-qualified graduates. Postgraduate students are a large part of the success of the Stylistics Research Centre and we are keen to attract new students to come and work with us. We offer research degree supervision in all areas of stylistics and taught courses that incorporate substantial stylistics components. As a postgraduate student you will join a thriving research community in an internationally acclaimed research centre. Below you will find details of the courses we currently offer. For more information about any of the courses listed below, contact Dan McIntyre.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD is the highest research degree for which a student can register and is awarded for the completion of a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge. Most people undertaking a PhD do so because they wish to pursue a career in research, either within academia or in the public or private sector. Increasingly, the PhD is seen as an apprenticeship for this kind of career. PhD theses are around 80,000 words in length and normally take three years of full-time study, or the equivalent part-time, to complete (though it is sometimes possible to complete a PhD in two years if you have previously been awarded an MA by Research or an MPhil). Most PhD students are registered initially for an MPhil and transfer to PhD following the successful submission of a progress report after approximately one year of study. Assessment is by thesis and viva voce examination. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters PhD. The entry requirement for the PhD is normally a master’s degree or its equivalent in English or a cognate subject. Non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS score of at least 7 or its equivalent.

DAppLing (Doctor of Applied Linguistics)

The Professional Doctorate in Applied Linguistics is a three-year doctoral programme with a substantial taught component. As such, it offers a more structured route to a doctoral qualification than conventional PhD programmes. The degree is aimed at students wishing to develop their expertise in Applied Linguistics. Our interpretation of Applied Linguistics goes beyond the common use of the term, which usually refers to the study of language in educational settings, and instead encompasses the application of linguistic techniques in the solving of real world problems generally. This could include linguistic approaches to conflict resolution, language impairment, bilingual education and so on. In your first year, you follow the modules taken by MA Modern English Language students and spend your third term developing your research proposal. In your second year you take modules in Applied Sociolinguistics and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics and begin work on your thesis. The third year is devoted to completing a thesis of around 50,000 words. Assessment for this degree is by a combination of coursework, examinations, thesis and a viva voce examination. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters DAppLing.The entry requirement for the Professional Doctorate is normally a high 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent in English or a cognate subject. We will consider other qualifications and experience on their merits. Non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS score of at least 7 or its equivalent.

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

The degree of MPhil is awarded for a thesis of around 40,000 words that critically investigates and evaluates an approved topic, and demonstrates a thorough understanding of research methods. Like the Master of Arts by Research, the MPhil takes one year of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) to complete but is assessed both by thesis and viva voce examination. Most students who register for an MPhil do so with the intention of progressing to a PhD, though it is possible to take the MPhil as a stand alone degree. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters MPhil. The entry requirement for the MPhil is normally at least a high 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent in English or a cognate subject. We will consider other qualifications and experience on their merits. Non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS score of at least 7 or its equivalent.

MA by Research (Master of Arts by Research)

The Master of Arts by Research is a one-year research degree (two years part-time) with no formal taught component (although you have the opportunity to attend a Research Methods module). It is an ideal degree if you have a specific small project in mind, or if you wish to gain more experience of research before embarking on a PhD. You will be allocated a supervisor who will work with you to bring your project to fruition. Assessment is entirely by a 25,000 word thesis. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters MA. The entry requirement for the Master of Arts by Research is normally at least a high 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent in English or a cognate subject. We will consider other qualifications and experience on their merits. Non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS score of at least 7 or its equivalent.

MA in Modern English Language (Master of Arts)

This course is designed to bring your basic knowledge of the description of the English Language to a high level of competence. There is an emphasis on the practical analysis of language in use, including spoken and written language, and literary and non-literary texts. The course covers a range of topics reflecting staff expertise. Modules include:

• Structure of English (30 credits)
• Stylistics (30 credits)
• Interaction in English (30 credits)
• Critical Discourse Analysis (30 credits)
• Dissertation in English Language (60 credits)

This course is particularly suitable for students who have an undergraduate degree in language study or for teachers of English wishing to update their skills. The MA in Modern English Language is also an excellent springboard to a higher degree by research. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters MA. The course is available full-time and part-time.

MA in Literary Studies (Master of Arts)

The Literary Studies MA offers you a programme of study designed both to broaden and deepen your expertise in literature. The focus on English literature is complemented by the opportunity to study literary texts from other cultural traditions and, where appropriate, in translation from other languages, thereby offering a wide range of opportunities for you to pursue your specific interests.  Modules include:

• Inventing the Modern (30 credits)
• Female Authorship 1600-1800 (30 credits)
• Colonial (Con)texts (30 credits)
• Research Methods (30 credits)
• Dissertation in Literary Studies (60 credits)

Literary Studies graduates have high order skills that appeal to a wide range of employers in the graduate job market. The course also provides an excellent platform from which to embark on a higher degree by research. Successful graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters MA. The course is available full-time and part-time.

Applying for postgraduate study

Apply for a research degree (PhD, DAppLing, MPhil, MA by Research)

Apply for a taught MA (MA in Modern English Language, MA in Literary Studies)