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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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Social feeds

What's new?

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Who called Shakespeare ‘upstart crow’? Our study points to his co-author, Thomas Nashe

A team of researchers, including Dr Rachel White from our Department of English Studies, has presented new evidence about one of the most famous insults in English literature – the phrase ‘upstart crow’ aimed at William Shakespeare.

Research news
Statue of William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s ‘Upstart Crow’ insult may have come from a collaborator

A team of researchers, including Dr Rachel White from our Department of English Studies, has presented new evidence about one of the most famous insults in English literature – the phrase ‘upstart crow’ aimed at William Shakespeare.
Research news
Statue of William Shakespeare

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Earns Prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a highly regarded Athena Swan Silver Award, becoming only the second faculty of its kind in the UK to receive this distinction. This milestone acknowledges the significant progress made in advancing gender equality across all departments and highlights a firm commitment to continued improvement through to 2030.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Group picture with Executive Dean Janet Stewart and Deputy Executive Dean (People and Workplace Culture) Alexandra Harrington.

The Climate Fiction Prize 2025: the five shortlisted books reviewed by experts.

Five novels have been shortlisted for the 2025 Climate Fiction Prize. Academics, including Associate Professor in African Literature Louisa Egbunike, review the finalists ahead of the announcement of the winner on May 14.
Research news
Books lined up on bookshelves

Director of Institute for Medical Humanities honoured by Linköping University

Professor Angela Woods, Director of the Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH) and a Professor of Medical Humanities in our Department of English Studies, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Linköping University.
Research news
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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
Read more news

Durham hosts world’s first major international conference on critical neurodiversity studies 

Over three hundred researchers, practitioners, and artists gathered in Durham and online for a three-day conference on Critical Neurodiversity Studies: Directions / Intersections / Contradictions.  

Photograph of conference participants listening to a speaker.

Who called Shakespeare ‘upstart crow’? Our study points to his co-author, Thomas Nashe

A team of researchers, including Dr Rachel White from our Department of English Studies, has presented new evidence about one of the most famous insults in English literature – the phrase ‘upstart crow’ aimed at William Shakespeare.
Statue of William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s ‘Upstart Crow’ insult may have come from a collaborator

A team of researchers, including Dr Rachel White from our Department of English Studies, has presented new evidence about one of the most famous insults in English literature – the phrase ‘upstart crow’ aimed at William Shakespeare.
Statue of William Shakespeare

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

Obituary Notice: Professor Simon James

It is with immense sadness that we must announce that Professor Simon James, our friend and colleague in our Department of English Studies, has died.

Simon James headshot

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

Upcoming events

QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2026

Durham University has been named in the QS World University Rankings world top 100, a position it has achieved every year since 2010. The rankings have confirmed the University’s strong global reputation for employability (64th) and it is also 22nd in the world for sustainability.

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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