PhD in English

Tuition fees are 14,792 CAD per year. The application deadline for the Sep 2027 intake is Apr 30, 2027.

The PhD in English at the University of Waterloo is for students who have a Master's degree and want to become experts in English literature or language. This 4-5 year PhD program helps students develop their research and teaching skills. Its main advantage is that students get to work with top professors and scholars in the field.

The curriculum includes subjects like literary theory, linguistics, and creative writing. Students develop skills like critical thinking, writing, and analysis. They also get to teach undergraduate classes and work on their own research projects, which helps them become independent scholars.

After graduating, students can become Professors of English, Literary Critics, or Editors. They can work in industries like publishing, education, or journalism, for employers like universities, magazines, or book publishers. Students can also become Writers or Authors, publishing their own books and articles.

The University of Waterloo, founded in 1957 in Ontario, is a leading public research university known for excellence in engineering, mathematics, computer science and innovation. With roughly 41,000 students and more than 9,600 international learners, Waterloo combines rigorous academics with a culture of entrepreneurship and experiential education. Its strong ties to industry and research institutes help students access cutting-edge projects and mentorship from researchers and business leaders.

Waterloo’s distinctive cooperative education model integrates paid work terms with academic study, enabling students to gain practical experience, refine career goals and build professional networks. The university offers extensive undergraduate and graduate program options across more than 300 areas of study, and research centres such as the Institute for Quantum Computing and the Perimeter Institute enhance opportunities for advanced study and collaboration.

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available, with residence communities, meal plans and support services to help international students settle in. The university’s strong career services, entrepreneurship resources and alumni network support transitions into industry or further study. If you value a rigorous STEM-focused education, hands-on co-op experience and a research-rich environment, Waterloo offers a dynamic setting to launch a global career.