Phd English

Tuition fees are 18,600 GBP per year.

Engaging with the Culture & Creativity Research Institute (CCRI) interdisciplinary conferences, students at Sheffield Hallam University find a vibrant platform to refine their research methodology and explore the real-world impact of their work. This doctoral programme is designed for scholars seeking to contribute original research within a supportive, intellectually rigorous community, where 77% of research in English Language & Literature is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Research Specialisms

The programme offers a collaborative environment, particularly within the English or Performance groups, for those focusing on:

• Creative Writing
• English Language, including social structure and stylistics
• Eighteenth-century and Romantic literature
• Renaissance studies
• Contemporary and modern literature
• Performativity, theatre studies, and practices

Doctoral candidates benefit from specialist performance, recording, and editing facilities, alongside a dedicated postdoctoral office space. Beyond individual supervision, you will participate in seminar series featuring established practitioners and receive institutional support for professional development, including opportunities to enter the national '3-minute thesis' competition and present at international conferences.

Sheffield Hallam University, established in 1843 and based in Sheffield, is a large modern university serving around 31,000 students, including approximately 3,100 international learners. The university is known for applied teaching, industry-aligned courses and strong professional links across disciplines from business and health to engineering and the creative industries. Students benefit from modern facilities, well-equipped labs and specialist studios tailored to career-focused learning.

The campus ethos emphasizes employability: placements, work-based projects and employer partnerships are embedded across many programs, helping students gain practical experience and build professional networks. Academic staff work closely with industry and regional employers on applied research and innovation, creating pathways into internships and graduate roles. Dedicated student support services assist with academic skills, careers advice and wellbeing.

Sheffield itself is a friendly, affordable student city with good transport links to the north of England and easy access to green spaces and cultural venues. International students often highlight the city’s welcoming community, active student societies and opportunities to balance study with outdoor activities. For those seeking a practical, career-oriented university experience in the UK, Sheffield Hallam offers strong employer engagement, supportive services and an accessible urban lifestyle.