• Introduction
• Modules
• Features
• Careers
• Fees

Introduction

The School of English and Journalism offers advanced research opportunities within the subjects of English and Creative Writing.

As a research student, you can benefit from a dedicated doctoral training programme designed for English students, which gives you the opportunity to develop the practical and critical skills necessary for investigation and study at doctoral level. Expert and experienced direction will be available from your supervisory team and you can benefit from the School’s research expertise in areas including contemporary literature, 18-19th century literature, early modern literature, women’s writing, Gothic literature, utopianism and American fiction.

Regular research seminars, symposia and conferences provide a lively research environment, in which students are encouraged to participate. An interdisciplinary research culture facilitates collaboration with colleagues across topics and strong links exist with the Schools of Film and Media, History and Heritage, and Fine and Performing Arts.

Research Areas, Projects & Topics

Research areas covered within the School include:

• 21st Century literature and drama
  
• 19th Century literature
  
• Life writing/testimony/memory studies
  
• Women’s writing 18-21st Centuries
  
• American literature 19-21st Centuries
  
• Renaissance literature
  
• Utopian studies
  
• Ecocriticism
  
• Gothic literature
  
• Postcolonial literature
  
• Trauma studies

How You Study

Study at MPhil/PhD level takes the form of supervised individual research. You work on one topic of your choice for the duration of the study period. On a regular basis, you are expected to produce appropriate written work, submit it to your supervisors, then meet with your supervisors to receive feedback on your submission and agree the next stage of work.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of your time will be spent in independent study and research. You will have meetings with your academic supervisor, however the regularity of these will vary depending on your own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability and the stage of your programme.

How You Are Assessed

The assessment at this level of study takes the form of an 80,000 word thesis.

A PhD is awarded based on the quality of your thesis and your ability in an oral examination (viva voce) to present and successfully defend your chosen research topic to a group of academics. You are also expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

How To Apply

Enrolment Dates

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should possess a relevant Master's degree.

You will need to submit a research proposal along with your application form. The research proposal will allow us to judge the quality of the application and to decide whether we are able to supervise your project. Please take note of the following guidance:

• A research proposal will only be considered if there are academics in the subject with an interest in your field. Please study the staff profiles closely to make sure there is at least one member of staff whose interests intersect broadly with your own. For more information on the School's research, please following the following link: http://lncn.eu/uy34
  
• The research proposal should be 1,000–2,000 words in length.
  
• Clearly define the topic you are interested in and demonstrate understanding of your research area.
  
• Include two or three research questions that you will explore in your research.
  
• Outline the range of research methodologies you will use to undertake the research.
  
• Include a provisional bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
  
• You might include a brief literature review of the key works that relate to your topic, particularly if this helps to exemplify the point below.
  
• Explain clearly how your research contributes to existing scholarship in the area; what gaps will it fill? How will it further knowledge of the area?
  
• Sketch out a provisional plan of work that includes research/archival visits and a timetable for the writing of chapters.
  
• Make sure the proposal is well presented with sections and subheadings and is free of errors.

Key Contacts

Academic:
Dr Siân Adiseshiah
sadiseshiah@lincoln.ac.uk
+44 (0)1522 886840

Enquiries:
unilincolnarts@lincoln.ac.uk
+44 (0)1522 886097

Career and Personal Development

A doctoral qualification may be regarded as the capstone of academic achievement and may mark the beginning of a career in academia or research.

Introduction

The School of English and Journalism offers advanced research opportunities within the subjects of English and Creative Writing.

As a research student, you can benefit from a dedicated doctoral training programme designed for English students, which gives you the opportunity to develop the practical and critical skills necessary for investigation and study at doctoral level. Expert and experienced direction will be available from your supervisory team and you can benefit from the School’s research expertise in areas including contemporary literature, 18-19th century literature, early modern literature, women’s writing, Gothic literature, utopianism and American fiction.

Regular research seminars, symposia and conferences provide a lively research environment, in which students are encouraged to participate. An interdisciplinary research culture facilitates collaboration with colleagues across topics and strong links exist with the Schools of Film and Media, History and Heritage, and Fine and Performing Arts.

Research Areas, Projects & Topics

Research areas covered within the School include:

• 21st Century literature and drama
  
• 19th Century literature
  
• Life writing/testimony/memory studies
  
• Women’s writing 18-21st Centuries
  
• American literature 19-21st Centuries
  
• Renaissance literature
  
• Utopian studies
  
• Ecocriticism
  
• Gothic literature
  
• Postcolonial literature
  
• Trauma studies

How You Study

Study at MPhil/PhD level takes the form of supervised individual research. You work on one topic of your choice for the duration of the study period. On a regular basis, you are expected to produce appropriate written work, submit it to your supervisors, then meet with your supervisors to receive feedback on your submission and agree the next stage of work.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of your time will be spent in independent study and research. You will have meetings with your academic supervisor, however the regularity of these will vary depending on your own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability and the stage of your programme.

How You Are Assessed

The assessment at this level of study takes the form of an 80,000 word thesis.

A PhD is awarded based on the quality of your thesis and your ability in an oral examination (viva voce) to present and successfully defend your chosen research topic to a group of academics. You are also expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

How To Apply

Enrolment Dates

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should possess a relevant Master's degree.

You will need to submit a research proposal along with your application form. The research proposal will allow us to judge the quality of the application and to decide whether we are able to supervise your project. Please take note of the following guidance:

• A research proposal will only be considered if there are academics in the subject with an interest in your field. Please study the staff profiles closely to make sure there is at least one member of staff whose interests intersect broadly with your own. For more information on the School's research, please following the following link: http://lncn.eu/uy34
  
• The research proposal should be 1,000–2,000 words in length.
  
• Clearly define the topic you are interested in and demonstrate understanding of your research area.
  
• Include two or three research questions that you will explore in your research.
  
• Outline the range of research methodologies you will use to undertake the research.
  
• Include a provisional bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
  
• You might include a brief literature review of the key works that relate to your topic, particularly if this helps to exemplify the point below.
  
• Explain clearly how your research contributes to existing scholarship in the area; what gaps will it fill? How will it further knowledge of the area?
  
• Sketch out a provisional plan of work that includes research/archival visits and a timetable for the writing of chapters.
  
• Make sure the proposal is well presented with sections and subheadings and is free of errors.

Key Contacts

Academic:
Dr Siân Adiseshiah
sadiseshiah@lincoln.ac.uk
+44 (0)1522 886840

Enquiries:
unilincolnarts@lincoln.ac.uk
+44 (0)1522 886097

Career and Personal Development

A doctoral qualification may be regarded as the capstone of academic achievement and may mark the beginning of a career in academia or research.