English Language and Literature UCL

Overview

Students accepted for admission in English Language and Literature at UCL are given a principal supervisor with whom they will work closely during the course of the degree. A subsidiary supervisor is also appointed to provide additional advice. Great importance is attached to matching student and supervisor, and ensuring that students’ progress is well monitored. Students meet either one or the other supervisor approximately 10 times during the academic year.

Key facts

Graduate students initially register for the MPhil degree, but usually upgrade to full PhD student status in Year 2, if progress is satisfactory. UCL English does not offer a standalone research Master’s course, nor is it possible to be admitted as a PhD student directly. In addition to the upgrade review in Year 2, progress is also reviewed at the end of each year. Students who are making good progress will usually be offered opportunities to gain teaching experience from Year 2 onwards.

There are normally about 20 students undertaking research degrees in the department. They form a diverse, friendly, and vibrant intellectual community. There is a full programme of departmental research seminars at which papers are given by invited speakers and graduate students, and students also have access to a wide range of seminars and research events across UCL and the University of London. Research skills training is provided both within and beyond the department.

PhD students at UCL have access to an exceptional range of libraries, including the British Library and Senate House Library the library of the University of London. They can also apply to spend a period as a visiting scholar at Yale as part of the UCL-Yale Collaborative Partnership.