University of Kent, the United Kingdom
Visit course webpageWhile 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.
Learn more about The Contemporary Novel: Practice as Research , MA - at University of Kent
Visit course webpageContact University of Kent to find course entry requirements.
International Scholarships
The University of Kent has a long-standing relationship with Chevening, which has successfully placed scholars from all over the world at the university for many years. Kent is proud to be a Chevening partner, and offers three partner scholarships, in addition to the standard Chevening Scholarships. The University of Kent welcomes applications from all Chevening-eligible countries for any one-year taught master’s degree starting in September 2024, based at our UK campuses. Find out how to apply.
For international students starting a postgraduate taught course in September 2024 at one of our UK campuses, we have several scholarships available. Check if you are eligible to apply and get more information on our scholarship's webpages.
Here are Scholarships that might be of particular interest:
Find out what students say about University of Kent
Inspirational teaching - Patrique Tanque from Brazil is studying for a BSc in Forensic Chemistry.
“Choosing Kent was an easy decision. The forensic programmes are ranked among the best in the UK and have a high graduate employment rate.
“The teachers bring fresh ideas and up-to-date materials from real cases to enrich the lectures. They are keen to help out and always make sure we are getting plenty of support.
“I was very fortunate to be awarded an International Scholarship, which meant I could dedicate myself to my studies.”
Academic excellence - Stephanie Bourgeois from France is studying for a BSc in Biochemistry.
“I like the approach to teaching here; academics are happy to answer questions and to interact with students. I find the lectures very motivational, they pique your curiosity and for me the exciting bit is going to the library and pursuing the things you are interested in.
“The lecturers at Kent are excellent. You get to know them well and, as you move through the course, they are able to guide you towards projects, ideas or career paths that they think you will like.”
Specialist research - Sally Gao from China is studying for a PhD in Electronic Engineering.
“I have been very lucky with my supervisor, Professor Yong Yan, who is a world-class expert and the first IEEE Fellow in the UK in instrumentation and measurement.
“Professor Yong Yan has helped me to become a better researcher. I am inspired by his novel ideas and constructive suggestions. Under his supervision, my confidence has grown through such milestones as my first set of experiments, writing my first research paper and attending my first conference.”
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Accounting and Finance and Economics with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons)
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