The Contemporary Novel: Practice as Research - PhD 36 months PHD Program By University of Kent |Top Universities
Subject Ranking

# 101-150QS Subject Rankings

Program Duration

36 monthsProgram duration

Tuitionfee

18,600 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

31 Jul, 2025Application Deadline

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

This is an innovative and exciting programme in which you focus on writing a full-length, literary novel of between 90,000 and 150,000 words.


Overview

While the aims and objectives remain the same as on any other PhD programme in the humanities, for example, you are expected to contribute new knowledge of some sort, and to explore original, contemporary research questions, you are expected to achieve almost all of this in the novel itself. There is no long critical piece attached to this PhD programme. Instead, you produce a 3-5,000-word essay that works like a preface to your project, linking your concerns with others’, demonstrating your awareness of theme and locating your work within/without one or more traditions etc. You also need to produce a full bibliography.


All UK universities and relevant funding councils and bodies (including REF panels) now support the idea that literary novels are research outputs in their own right and in themselves make significant contributions to knowledge. The idea that a novel might ‘know’ something about war that a piece of historical research could not know (in the case of Art Spiegelman’s MAUS, for example), or that philosophy can be undertaken in fiction (as in the work of Borges) is one that we have been embracing at Kent for several years now.


Our PhD programme brings us right up-to-date with the ways in which novelists function in universities. You need to do a lot of critical thinking, reading and research and then turn it into contemporary fiction. You have a supervisory team to read your work and help you with thinking, research, plotting, editing, characterisation, pace, dialogue and so on.


You meet regularly with your supervisor and have the opportunity to take part in informal reading groups and research seminars to which students, staff and visiting speakers contribute papers. You also benefit from a series of research skills seminars that run in the spring term, which gives you a chance to share the research expertise of staff and postdoctoral members of the department.


As a basis for advanced research, you must also take research methods programmes.

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

This is an innovative and exciting programme in which you focus on writing a full-length, literary novel of between 90,000 and 150,000 words.


Overview

While the aims and objectives remain the same as on any other PhD programme in the humanities, for example, you are expected to contribute new knowledge of some sort, and to explore original, contemporary research questions, you are expected to achieve almost all of this in the novel itself. There is no long critical piece attached to this PhD programme. Instead, you produce a 3-5,000-word essay that works like a preface to your project, linking your concerns with others’, demonstrating your awareness of theme and locating your work within/without one or more traditions etc. You also need to produce a full bibliography.


All UK universities and relevant funding councils and bodies (including REF panels) now support the idea that literary novels are research outputs in their own right and in themselves make significant contributions to knowledge. The idea that a novel might ‘know’ something about war that a piece of historical research could not know (in the case of Art Spiegelman’s MAUS, for example), or that philosophy can be undertaken in fiction (as in the work of Borges) is one that we have been embracing at Kent for several years now.


Our PhD programme brings us right up-to-date with the ways in which novelists function in universities. You need to do a lot of critical thinking, reading and research and then turn it into contemporary fiction. You have a supervisory team to read your work and help you with thinking, research, plotting, editing, characterisation, pace, dialogue and so on.


You meet regularly with your supervisor and have the opportunity to take part in informal reading groups and research seminars to which students, staff and visiting speakers contribute papers. You also benefit from a series of research skills seminars that run in the spring term, which gives you a chance to share the research expertise of staff and postdoctoral members of the department.


As a basis for advanced research, you must also take research methods programmes.

Admission requirements

76+
185+
95+
3.3+
7+
  • A first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) and, normally, a taught MA qualification of an excellent standard (Distinction or high Merit).
  • All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
31 Jul 2025
3 Years
Jan
May

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

-
-

International Students

18,600 GBP
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

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More programs from the university

Becoming a University of Kent undergraduate is the exciting first step to making your mark and achieving your ambition. We know you’ll love your time here, making the most of our outstanding facilities and soaking up all the experiences on offer. Whatever your interests, whatever your goals, we’re sure you’ll find your place at Kent. We believe in the potential of everyone involved in the University of Kent to make a difference. With every human connection we make, we become stronger, building determination and a community spirit that lasts a lifetime.

A world of opportunities – your degree your way

Kent offers a  wide range of courses  which span the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. Whatever your subject and wherever you are located you can access a huge range of academic and personal support services to help you excel.  There's so much more to Kent than lectures and seminars. Make the most of our flexible study options to create the best student experience and get the degree you want. It's your degree so make it your own at Kent. Customise your studies with elective modules, a year abroad, a year in industry and a whole host of extra-curricular courses.

Apply now 

Here at the University of Kent we understand your passion to progress. Whether gaining advanced skills or joining a global academic research community drives you, our networks and facilities will help you achieve your ambition. With a diverse group of peers and supervisors, you’ll be inspired as well as challenged to push the boundaries of current thinking and research. We believe in the potential of everyone involved in the University of Kent, on campus and in our wider community, to make a difference. With every human connection we make, we become stronger, building determination and a community spirit that lasts a lifetime.

We understand that postgraduate students need flexibility, so many of our taught and all of our research degrees offer September or January starts. Many of our courses will consider applicants either holding or projected 2:2 UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, we also offer distance-learning options and short courses. We also offer career-focused conversion courses for those looking for a change of direction.

January 2025 starts - You can start some of our postgraduate degrees in January. If you’re taking a career break to study this could be the best option for you. Find out more about our January intake programmes.

To support you during your studies, our generous scholarship fund includes awards for musical and sporting excellence and exclusive scholarships for international students.  

You can explore various scholarship opportunities at the University of Kent by visiting their Scholarship Search page.

Apply now to take your ambition further.

Social Work - MA

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