Everything you need to know...
International: £12,500 for the course
Course summary
- Prepare to study for a PhD or gain research skills and knowledge of a specific area of English.
- Become skilled in managing a project, planning and meeting of deadlines.
- Demonstrate independence, communication skills and resilience.
Research an aspect of English literature (Renaissance to the present), language, critical theory or a combination of these. You work towards a 30,000 word dissertation on a topic agreed between you and your supervisors. The course is ideal for those who want to pursue a specific topic or research area in detail.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
You're supported by a dedicated supervisory team who have knowledge and experience in your area of study. Supervisory sessions will be on a one-to-one basis with individually-arranged meetings. In dialogue with supervisors, you establish the exact nature of their project and gain advice on how best to conduct the research. Later on, they will provide detailed feedback on drafts of your thesis as well as help structure and prepare to defend the work in the viva examination.
You learn through
- workshops
- research seminars
- postgraduate reading group
- supervision meetings
- online training
- engaging with scholars
- networking
Course leaders and tutors

Dr Susan Anderson
Deputy Head of EnglishI joined Sheffield Hallam in 2017 as a Principal Lecturer in English and Deputy Head of English. My research focuses on disability in Shakespearean drama, and I have … Read more
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- teaching
- media and journalism
- marketing
- editing and publishing
It also provides an established route into taking on a PhD and an academic career.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- electronic training resources
- academic researchers
Entry requirements
All students
Typically an English undergraduate degree of 2.1 or higher. Those with related undergraduate degrees of 2.1 or higher are considered on individual merit.
A research proposal needs to be submitted. Please contact the course leader for guidance on writing research proposals in the first instance: Dr Ana Maria Sanchez-Arce a.m.sanchez-arce@shu.ac.uk
Overseas students whose first language is not English willbe required to provide certified competence in English language in the form ofBritish Council IELTS test band 7 or above, with a score of at least 7 in allcomponents, or equivalent. If necessary, an offer of a place to read for aresearch degree may be made subject to successful completion of an appropriateperiod of pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes training to enhanceperformance on the research degree programme above the minimum levels ofcompetence outlined above. Applicants with a first degree taught wholly inEnglish will not generally be required to provide other evidence of EnglishLanguage proficiency.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home/EU students
Our tuition fee for UK/EU postgraduate research students starting full-time study in 2019/20 is £4,327 per year.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for international postgraduate students starting full-time study in 2019/20 is £12,500 for the course.

Postgraduate student loans
Up to £10,906 available for UK and EU students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for English courses (PDF)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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