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Research overview

We offer high-quality doctoral training to postgraduate students who wish to pursue an MPhil or PhD. As a research student, you’ll work closely with two allocated supervisors who will assist you in planning, executing and presenting your research. We encourage applications in any topic related to English studies.

The School of English offers research opportunities across a variety of topics related to English studies and draws on the resources of Nottingham’s renowned Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics. This is an interdisciplinary research centre devoted to describing and understanding language as it is acquired and used in the real world. Research expertise within the school includes 19th-century literature and post-colonial studies along with American, British, Indian, South-East Asian and Malaysian literatures. Creative writing, grammar, gothic literature, the fairy tale, literary theory, gender, identity, discourse analysis, World Englishes, grammatical analysis, interactional linguistics, sociolinguistics, publishing studies and systemic functional linguistics are also included in the course programme. Please refer to the school website for more details on potential specialisation.

 

Why choose this programme? 

You will cover the range of theoretical approaches making up the contemporary critical terminology of English and English studies. The course will also develop your awareness of practices in language use and their application to various contexts. The course will focus on developing your ability to engage in critical evaluations of current research along with developing your ability to problem-solve in respect of real-world projects and case studies.

Our global footprint allows you to draw on the supervisory expertise of over 80 staff specialising in numerous fields of English studies across our three campuses. Located in the UK, Malaysia and China, students are encouraged to spend a period of time at any or all of our campuses worldwide.

 

 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for an MRes/MPhil or PhD in the School of English, please email the Programme Director, Dr Shivani Sivagurunathan, to discuss your research proposal before making a formal application or visit our applications pages to find out how to apply.

Course content

Current areas of research

We encourage applications in any topic related to English. Our current research topics include:

  • 19th-century British and American literature
  • creative writing
  • discourse analysis
  • fairy tale
  • gender studies
  • gothic
  • grammer
  • identity
  • language in the classroom
  • Malaysia literature
  • new literatures in English
  • stylistics
  • world englishes

Research training

The School also offers research training seminars and students also have access to training programmes offered by the graduate school. The University also has an early-career researchers’ network which provides peer-support for students.

Exceptional candidates working in areas of research deemed priority areas for the school may also be eligible to partial fee waiver scholarships at the discretion of the Programme Director.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

PhD

A good master’s degree (usually merit or higher) plus, an upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

Or

A first class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

If deemed necessary, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

MPhil

An upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

If deemed necessary, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved university. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry requirements in the prospectus and website may not always apply and individual offers may vary.

IELTS (Academic):

7.0 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)

TOEFL (iBT):

 100 (minimum 20 in speaking and 19 in all other elements)

PTE (Academic):

 76 (with no less than 65 in each element)
MUET: Band 5

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old and all IELTS must be the academic version of the test. MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM39,900 per year
International studentsRM45,900 per year

Funding

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Scholarship funding

Where you will learn

Malaysia Campus

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

Careers

The School features a world-class network of researchers and academics offering a wide range of research opportunities. The school seeks to equip you with the skills to succeed in a variety of careers, including teaching, broadcasting, publishing, literary criticism, advertising, marketing, publishing, journalism, communications, business, banking, law, human resources, and public relations to name but a few. Former research students hold senior posts in top-tier universities across the world and prominent positions in government and the private sector.

The University’s Careers Advisory Services (CAS) support students with the necessary skills and career opportunities using its strong relationship with various employers and industries. The CAS will provide students with essential resources and guidance for career choices, offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our Careers Advisory Service will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills, as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers and training opportunities.

A postgraduate research degree in English equips you with the skills to succeed in a variety of careers including teaching, freelance writing, literary criticism, marketing, public relations, and publishing to name just a few. Former research students hold senior posts in top-tier universities across the world and prominent positions in government and the private sector.

This content was last updated on 21 December 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.