English Studies

We are one of the leading English Departments in the UK, and among the top 50 in the world, offering teaching and research of the highest quality.

Welcome to English Studies at Durham

We are one of few university English departments in the world who teach and research in literature produced in Britain from the early medieval period to the present day as well as in anglophone literature from across the globe. We also offer Creative Writing at MA, PhD, and MLitt level.

Our subject range is made possible by our large and thriving community of around:

700 undergraduates
60 taught postgraduates
60 PhD researchers
80 academic, postdoctoral, and administrative staff

Explore our various courses, or engage with us on social media to discover our research.

Find out more about us

3rd in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2023 and the Guardian University Guide 2023

Athena Swan Bronze Award Recognising our work to address gender equality

38th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 English Language and Literature

World leading research 90% of our research activity was judged to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in REF 2021

Study with us

Advance your studies or research with our world-class community of scholars and students.

Undergraduate Study

Our Department combines a strong research profile with a long-standing and continuing commitment to undergraduate teaching.

Postgraduate study

We offer taught MA degrees in English Literary Studies, and Creative Writing. We support a large research community of PhD and MLitt students.

Small group of students sat working at their laptops together

Our research

Our research is at the forefront of developments in the discipline. We regularly publish influential academic books and essays that are drawn on by students and other researchers around the globe, and we publish acclaimed creative work in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Our research has regional, national and international impact.

Find out more about our research

Discover more

Diversity and inclusion

See how we provide an inclusive and supportive working and teaching environment for all.
Our staff

Find out more about the varied interests and expertise of our academic staff.

Diversity and inclusion

See how we provide an inclusive and supportive working and teaching environment for all.

Our staff

Find out more about the varied interests and expertise of our academic staff.

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Events

Find out more about what's on and join us at one of our many online or on-site public events.
Current research

Find out more about some of our current research initiatives and projects.

Events

Find out more about what's on and join us at one of our many online or on-site public events.

Current research

Find out more about some of our current research initiatives and projects.

Follow us on Social Media

Find out about our latest research by following our social media feeds READ: Research English At Durham

Highlights

READ blog

Follow our research blog and discover more about our latest insights and publications.
Listen to our latest podcasts

Download public lectures, interviews, and book chat to the app of your choice

READ blog

Follow our research blog and discover more about our latest insights and publications.

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Listen to our latest podcasts

Download public lectures, interviews, and book chat to the app of your choice

Social feeds

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What's new?

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New interdisciplinary health research awarded £9m grant

Our cutting-edge Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH) has been awarded a £9m Discovery Research Platform Award to develop a new Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities (DRP-MH).

Read more

Global research
Strengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

Read more

Global research
‘Something that speaks to you in the quiet of the night’: Horror writing with Naomi Booth

This Halloween, Dr Naomi Booth, Associate Professor in the Department of English Studies and award-winning fiction writer tells us about horror writing and the Boggart, a forgotten folklore monster.

Read more

Research news
Recognition for the Department’s Research Excellence

Our outstanding research environment and our impact on public life, community, and culture have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Read more

Research news
Lumiere 2021 – In conversation with Kayo Chingonyi

For this year’s biennial Lumiere light festival Durham University have brought together the producers, Artichoke, and regional writing development agency New Writing North, on an exciting collaboration that will see new works from some of the UK’s leading poets light up Durham Castle. Among them is prize winning writer Kayo Chingonyi, an Assistant Professor in our Department. Here Kayo talks about his involvement and how poetry has been a central part of his life.

Read more

Research news

New interdisciplinary health research awarded £9m grant

Our cutting-edge Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH) has been awarded a £9m Discovery Research Platform Award to develop a new Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities (DRP-MH).

Global research

Strengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

Global research

A group of people standing in front of a sign that says Indian Institute of Technology Madras

‘Something that speaks to you in the quiet of the night’: Horror writing with Naomi Booth

This Halloween, Dr Naomi Booth, Associate Professor in the Department of English Studies and award-winning fiction writer tells us about horror writing and the Boggart, a forgotten folklore monster.

Research news

Recognition for the Department’s Research Excellence

Our outstanding research environment and our impact on public life, community, and culture have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Research news

Photograph of a castle standing above a river. The text REF20201 Research Excellence Framework is on the front of the image.

Lumiere 2021 – In conversation with Kayo Chingonyi

For this year’s biennial Lumiere light festival Durham University have brought together the producers, Artichoke, and regional writing development agency New Writing North, on an exciting collaboration that will see new works from some of the UK’s leading poets light up Durham Castle. Among them is prize winning writer Kayo Chingonyi, an Assistant Professor in our Department. Here Kayo talks about his involvement and how poetry has been a central part of his life.

Research news

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

We are ranked 38th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

How Shakespeare was inspired by controversial student theatre

Student theatre may be a staple of undergraduate life today, but in Shakespeare’s time it was controversial and provocative, and may have inspired some of ‘The Bard’s’ most important pieces.

Image showing book of Shakespeare plays open with image of Shakespeare

Remembering Christmas Past

Simon J. James is Professor of Victorian Literature in the Department of English Studies. This festive season he discusses memory in Dickens’ work, and the importance of remembering past versions of ourselves at Christmas.

Students Share their Stories during National Storytelling Week

During National Storytelling Week, 30 January – 5 February, we have been hearing from three budding writers who are currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing in the Department of English Studies.

Read more

Student news
Studying English at Durham

What has it been like to study English during the pandemic?

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Student news

Students Share their Stories during National Storytelling Week

During National Storytelling Week, 30 January – 5 February, we have been hearing from three budding writers who are currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing in the Department of English Studies.

Studying English at Durham

What has it been like to study English during the pandemic?

Screenshot of people applauding on Zoom call

Durham Book Festival 2022

Durham’s celebrated Book Festival returns this year for another weekend in October, celebrating new writing with particular relevance to the North East. Our Department of English Studies and Durham University are thrilled to be associated with the event once again, taking pride in the roots the city has in its literature and wider culture.

Read more

Durham news
Why we’re supporting City of Culture 2025

The University is one of three founding partners in Durham’s City of Culture 2025 bid, with Durham County Council and Culture Durham. Our Executive Dean for Arts and Humanities, Professor Janet Stewart, outlines the significance of the bid, why the University is lending its support, and what the title would bring to Durham City and County.

Read more

Durham news
English Studies climbs to 36th in the QS World University subject rankings

We're delighted to have risen 8 places in this year's QS World University Rankings for English Language and Literature - up to 36th in the world.

Read more

Durham news

Durham Book Festival 2022

Durham’s celebrated Book Festival returns this year for another weekend in October, celebrating new writing with particular relevance to the North East. Our Department of English Studies and Durham University are thrilled to be associated with the event once again, taking pride in the roots the city has in its literature and wider culture.

Why we’re supporting City of Culture 2025

The University is one of three founding partners in Durham’s City of Culture 2025 bid, with Durham County Council and Culture Durham. Our Executive Dean for Arts and Humanities, Professor Janet Stewart, outlines the significance of the bid, why the University is lending its support, and what the title would bring to Durham City and County.