PhD at the Institute of English Studies

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field.

The Institute of English Studies (IES) provides a unique scholarly community in which to pursue doctoral research. We offer research supervision in several literature-related subject areas, ranging from book history to contemporary writing. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words.

This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond.

The Institute of English Studies

The Institute of English Studies (IES) occupies a position at the heart of the academic study of English in the United Kingdom. The Institute offered the world’s first degree in Book History and was founded to help establish it as a discipline.

Today, the Institute is recognized nationally and internationally as a center of excellence for its research activities, and in the provision of resources to the academic community as a whole. A vibrant, interdisciplinary research culture is fostered within the IES, and more broadly within the School of Advanced Study.

The Institute’s core activities include providing supervision for postgraduate research students in specialist areas of English studies and related disciplines; delivering the long-established Master’s degree in the History of the Book; hosting major collaborative research projects; providing essential research training in book history and paleography; and facilitating scholarly communities in all areas of English studies. It specializes in the history of the book, manuscript and print studies, textual scholarship , and digital editing.

The School of Advanced Study

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London brings together eight internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK's national center for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.

The School of Advanced Study (SAS), University of London brings together 9 internationally-renowned research institutes to form the UK's national centre for the support and promotion of research in the humanities.

Seven of the School's institutes offer a range of taught Master's programmes and doctoral supervision in their areas of expertise in: History, Art history, French / German / Hispanic / Italian / Portuguese cultures and literatures, English Studies, Law, Politics and international development, Human rights, Commonwealth Studies, Latin American Studies, Refugee Studies, International corporate governance and financial regulation, and Taxation.