English, Comparative Literature or Linguistics,MPhil

We offer MPhil and PhD research programmes in English (including American Studies), Comparative Literature or Linguistics for full-time or part-time study.

• The Department of English and Creative Writing consists of scholars and creative writers whose work is acknowledged and cited internationally.
• We offer a stimulating environment for undertaking postgraduate research in English Literature (including American Literature and literary theory), World Literature, Comparative Literature, Linguistics, and Creative Writing.
• We particularly encourage cross- and interdisciplinary research in emerging fields of study and creative practice.
• As well as working with scholars and writers of international standing, you will have the opportunity to play an active role in a vibrant research environment. This includes the Richard Hoggart Lectures in Literature and Culture, the annual Goldsmiths Prize for bold and innovative fiction, and specialist seminars and colloquia offered by the Goldsmiths Writers' Centre, the Centre for Caribbean and Diaspora Studies, the Decadence Research Centre, the Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought, and the Centre for Comparative Literature, the Goldsmiths Literature Seminars (GLITS), the Goldsmiths Linguistics Seminars (GoldLingS), and the e-journal, GLITS-e.

North American applicants especially should note that the British system does not include preparatory taught classes or examinations as part of the MPhil/PhD programme, except for an initial course in research methods.

Assessment is by thesis and viva voce.

Find out more about our specialisms and expertise.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Uttara Natarajan.

You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) a taught Masters in a relevant subject area, of at least high merit standard. We normally also expect an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Where this degree can take you

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in:

• Publishing
• Journalism
• Public relations
• Teaching
• Advertising
• The civil service
• Business/Industry
• The media

Carrying out a research degree will help you develop:

• Transferable skills, including enhanced communication and discussion skills in written and oral contexts
• The ability to analyse and evaluate different textual materials
• The ability to organise information, and to assimilate and evaluate competing arguments

Research training programme

Training in research methods and skills is provided both by the Department and Goldsmiths' Graduate School.

This begins with an intensive week-long induction in the first week of enrolment and continues later in the first term with a series of seminars focussing on the specific challenges of literary and linguistic research projects.

We will also inform you about any research training seminars or study-days offered elsewhere in the University of London (for exmaple, by the Institute of English Studies or the Institute of Modern Languages Research, School of Advanced Study) or beyond, such as at the British Library.

The specific training requirements of your project will be assessed, and guidance provided on specialist seminars and conferences to attend, which can be supported where possible by assistance from departmental funds.