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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.
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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
4th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Athena Swan Bronze Award
Athena Swan Bronze Award Recognising our work to address gender equality
33rd
33rd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 English Language and Literature
World leading research 90% of our research activity was judged to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in REF 2021
Jeremy Vine stands with two young women in Durham City Centre.

Jeremy Vine Scholarship in English Literature for British students of Black heritage 

This scholarship has been established to assist a UK student of Black Heritage, in need of financial support, throughout their undergraduate English Literature degree studies. The scholarship is available thanks to a generous donation from Durham alumnus Jeremy Vine.

Find out more

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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.
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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

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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
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Discover more

  • Diversity and inclusion

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

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  • Our staff

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

    Postgraduate Photography 2011

Diversity and inclusion

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

Student working outdoors

Our staff

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

Postgraduate Photography 2011

  • Events

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

    Sacred and Profane July 2016

  • Current research

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

    Incandescent bulb and colourful notes

Events

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

Sacred and Profane July 2016

Current research

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

Incandescent bulb and colourful notes

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

Read our research blog and discover more about our latest insights and publications.
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Follow English Studies on LinkedIn

Support your career with our LinkedIn community of academics, students, and alumni
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What's new?

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We're Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2025

We are ranked 33rd in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, once again confirming Durham's place among the world's top 50 institutions at which to study English.

Durham news
33rd in the World QS World Subject Rankings 2025 English Studies

Report calls for more creativity in schools to boost opportunities for all

A new report warns that the UK’s creative industries are at risk because arts education is being neglected.
Research news
Close up of a child holding a guitar as an adult points to where he should put his fingers

LGBTQ History Month: Spotlight on Dr Joan Lubin

This LGBTQ History Month, we're highlighting the work of Dr Joan Lubin, an assistant professor of modern and contemporary literature in our Department of English Studies.
Research news
A portrait of Dr Joan Lubin standing in front of wood paneling

Reimagining the imagination at the world’s largest literary festival

Researchers from our Institute for Medical Humanities have taken our innovative ReaderBank project to the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan, India.
Global research
Four people standing smiling at the camera

Transformative Humanities framework launched

Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
Research news
Transformative Humanities launch news banner

QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2024

We are ranked 29th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
Durham news
QS World Rankings for English Studies 2024, 29th in the world, with an image of a hand pulling a book from a shelf

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
Wellcome trust grant
Read more news

Report calls for more creativity in schools to boost opportunities for all

A new report warns that the UK’s creative industries are at risk because arts education is being neglected.

Close up of a child holding a guitar as an adult points to where he should put his fingers

LGBTQ History Month: Spotlight on Dr Joan Lubin

This LGBTQ History Month, we're highlighting the work of Dr Joan Lubin, an assistant professor of modern and contemporary literature in our Department of English Studies.
A portrait of Dr Joan Lubin standing in front of wood paneling

PhD Successes - January 2025

A huge congratulations to our brilliant scholars who have successfully earned their PhDs in English Literature between July and December 2024! Your dedication, perseverance, and passion for literary studies have led to ground-breaking research that will inspire generations to come.
New PhDs January 2025

National Campaign shows creative and economic value of English degrees

Our Department of English Studies is joining Britain’s leading English academics and graduates from 3rd to 7th June as part of the #EnglishCreates campaign, which aims to highlight the value of English degrees.

#EnglishCreates logo

Creative writing PhD student researches Newcastle's witch trials

Lucy Atkinson is a creative writing PhD student in our Department of English Studies who researches witchcraft literature, alongside writing her novel about the 1650 witch trials in Newcastle.
Lucy Atkinson

Durham English Student Produces Into the Woods

Student theatre offers a great way for English students to expand and apply their literature skills. Third-year Eleanor Summer has written a blog about her experience producing a new show.
Durham theatre students posed in tree branches

We're Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2025

We are ranked 33rd in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, once again confirming Durham's place among the world's top 50 institutions at which to study English.

33rd in the World QS World Subject Rankings 2025 English Studies

Lib Dems are right to put arts education at the heart of their plans for culture

The Liberal Democrat political party has listed 'culture, media and sport' as a key priority in its manifesto ahead of the General Election. Professor Simon James, from our Department of English Studies, explores the significance of this in more detail.
Little boy drawing watermelon

QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2024

We are ranked 29th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
QS World Rankings for English Studies 2024, 29th in the world, with an image of a hand pulling a book from a shelf

Upcoming events

Cap-Lit, Cli-Fi, and Vi-Fi by Diasporic Women Writers

Thursday 8 May 2025 - Thursday 8 May 2025
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Hybrid: Institute for Medical Humanities | Online
A graphic that shows the title of the event (Cap-Lit, Cli-Fi, and Vi-Fi by Diasporic Women Writers), the date and venue (8 May, 1-2pm BST, Institute for Medical Humanities), and a QR code to the Eventbrite. This event is organised by the Narrative Practices Lab. An image of Claire Chambers, a smiling woman with brown hair wearing a blue and red top. Logos of the IMH, Wellcome, DRP and NPL.
View all events
QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2025

Durham is now ranked 89th in the world top 100 universities. Our top performance came in the Sustainability category, where we ranked 19th in the world. We also have a world-class reputation with employers, being ranked 65th.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about our courses and research.

Department of English Studies

Hallgarth House  

77 Hallgarth Street  

Durham City  

DH1 3AY 

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2500 

 

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

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