PhD in Creative Writing in Sheffield United Kingdom | The University of Sheffield

The Creative Writing PhD proposal differs significantly from those for other programs. This three-year degree involves a substantial creative endeavor—be it a novel, short story anthology, poetry compilation (60,000 words for prose, 50 poems for verse, or comparable volume)—paired with a 40,000-word analytical component. These two elements should be closely interconnected, though the critical portion must stand as independent research, complete with defined questions, methodological approach, and primary/secondary source materials. The creative work must reach publishable quality and will be evaluated accordingly during the viva examination. We encourage cross-disciplinary initiatives, including mixed-media and multimedia works, and can facilitate collaborative supervision with experts from fields like music, architecture, theater, and film. Your 1,500-word proposal should detail both creative and scholarly aspects, with the critical section following conventional research PhD structure while allowing greater flexibility in presenting the creative dimension.