PhD in English Literature in Bangor United Kingdom | Bangor University

The English Literature program allows you to develop a substantial creative project—whether a short story collection, novel, or poetry compilation—with personalized guidance from an actively publishing writer in your genre. Alongside your creative work, you'll produce a critical analysis that demonstrates deep engagement with contemporary trends in your chosen literary field. The complete thesis, combining both creative and scholarly elements, typically spans approximately 100,000 words for prose works. You'll become part of a dynamic postgraduate community within a School renowned for its expertise in teaching creative writing at advanced levels. Our faculty includes celebrated authors like Alys Conran, Zo Skoulding, and Fiona Cameron, who actively participate in literary judging and editorial work.
The program enjoys the involvement of visiting poet Professor Carol Rumens and frequent contributions from honorary professor Philip Pullman, who conducts readings and workshops. Our graduates achieve notable success, with many publishing poetry collections or short stories developed during their studies at Bangor. Notable alumni include John Tanner, Zoe Skoulding, and Nessa OMahoney, while others like Terri Lee Hackman, Zoe Perrenoud, and Lisa Blower (winner of the 2009 Guardian Short Story Competition) have published individual works.

Career Prospects
This program equips you for diverse career paths in academia, publishing, arts management, media research, and writing professions. It provides comprehensive preparation for both literary and academic careers, supplemented by specialized university training programs that enhance employment opportunities. Many creative writing graduates have successfully published poetry collections or short stories stemming from their Bangor studies, including John Tanner, Richard Jones, and Nessa OMahoney. Additional published authors among our alumni include Terri Lee Hackman, Zoe Perrenoud, and Lisa Blower (also recipient of the 2009 Guardian Short Story Award).