PhD in Comparative Literature PhD

Tuition is £23,390 (full-time) / £11,695 (part-time).

If you have already completed a master’s degree and wish to develop original research that compares literary texts, traditions or theoretical approaches across cultures, this PhD offers a route to deepen scholarly expertise. Flexible entry points in September or January allow you to align your research timetable with personal or academic commitments, while the full-time route typically spans three years and part-time six years.

The programme invites you to investigate how literature interacts with history, philosophy and other arts, developing a dissertation under the guidance of faculty specialised in comparative literary studies. You will join a research community, access library resources, present your work at seminars and benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across the humanities. Successful candidates are awarded a Doctorate.

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.