Why take a PhD in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) at the University of Edinburgh?
Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research. As one of the largest and most diverse Schools in the University of Edinburgh, LLC is the ideal place to complete your PhD.
You will work under the guidance of experienced supervisors, and there are many ways to collaborate with experts in the School and beyond to help you develop your doctorate-level skills. These range from regular research and work-in-progress seminars to conferences, workshops, online journals and training opportunities.
We are home to a number of established research centres and networks. Our PhD student community is highly active, running reading groups and other meet-ups to support each other through the opportunities and challenges of PhD life.
Top 5 in the UK
The University of Edinburgh is ranked Top 5 in the UK for research in Modern Languages and Linguistics and in English Language and Literature.
As reported in Times Higher Education, using results from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the rankings are based on the quality and breadth of our research in Modern Languages and Linguistics and the overall quality of our research in English Language and Literature.
What can I study?
We currently offer 20 PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) programmes:
- Celtic Studies and Scottish Studies
- Chinese
- Comparative Literature
- Creative Writing
- East Asian Studies
- English Literature
- European Theatre
- Film Studies
- French
- German
- Intermediality
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean Studies
- Medieval Studies
- Russian
- Scandinavian Studies
- Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
- Translation Studies
Your PhD at a glance
- You'll be expected to complete an original body of work culminating in a dissertation (or equivalent) of around 80,000 words.
- You'll study for a minimum of 36 months. If you wish to study part-time, you may take up to 72 months to complete your PhD; eligibility criteria apply.
- You will be supervised by at least two members of academic staff with expertise in your area of research. Please check the School website for pre-application guidance.
- You'll typically be based at the heart of the University of Edinburgh, in the city's historic centre, close to the Main University Library and the National Library of Scotland. Our festival city is a treasure trove of cinemas, theatres, music venues, museums, galleries and collections.
How do I apply?
You apply for your programme through the University of Edinburgh's online Degree Finder and its associated application service, EUCLID.
Some PhD programmes publish pre-application guidance; please check our School website for details.
We strongly advise that you apply as early as possible.
How much will it cost and are there any scholarships?
Fees are determined by your nationality and the country where you are ‘ordinarily resident'.
Many scholarships have early deadlines so, to increase your chances of being eligible for a range of awards, you are strongly encouraged to apply for your PhD as soon as possible after the programme opens for application.
Learn more about funding opportunities
Be inspired!
Our community of more than 250 PhD students brings together doctoral researchers from multiple disciplines in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) and beyond.
We've collated our student profiles into a single online directory to showcase the range of topics studied and the breadth of supervision available.
The directory illustrates the often interdisciplinary nature of study at LLC. Supervisors and students are not always from the same subject area, and in some cases, supervisors are based in other parts of the University of Edinburgh, or other universities.
Check out our PhD student directory on the LLC website
Go beyond the books
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.
Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research.
Browse Beyond the Books episodes and hear our research community talk about their work
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