English Language and Literature

Our website provides further information on the research activities of our School.

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English Language and Literature

A vibrant group of internationally recognised researchers, we are committed to exploring the meaning and significance of literatures in English...

Research Ethics and Integrity

Ethical approval for your research

Research Governance is the regulation, monitoring and quality assurance of research on human beings, and includes appropriate legislation and procedures that impact upon universities, the NHS, and other bodies. It is likely that in the near future there will be increasing demands from funding bodies and others upon researchers to be able to demonstrate that their research is subjected to appropriate scrutiny and monitoring.

Under the University’s Research Governance & Ethics requirements, proposed research projects involving human participants (as does most Social Sciences research) should be submitted to the appropriate committee for ethical approval before data collection commences. The process of gaining ethical approval can be a lengthy one and you should apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid any delay. Your supervisors will advise you on completing the application and further information may also be found at the Research Governance and Ethics section of the Portal: Research Governance and Ethics.

Please note that any changes to the approved research plan may have ethical implications and therefore ethical approval for the modified plan will be required before further research can proceed.

All researchers are required to undertake and pass the University's online short course on Research Integrity, which is available through Blackboard. The course takes approximately one hour to complete and provides grounding in the essentials of good research conduct, and guidance on how to avoid bad practice.

Further Information

Teaching and Demonstrating Opportunities

Teaching and Demonstrating Opportunities

Teaching within the subject is available within the second year of the PhD.

Your Thesis

  • Thesis requirements

    A PhD must make a substantive, original contribution to knowledge, which is embodied within a research study which has both breadth of coverage (e.g. within the context of a literature review or a similar survey of practice) and depth of engagement with a particular problem/issue.

    In cases for which practice is involved, the length and format may vary. The following are indicative guidelines:

    • Dissertation-only PhD (‘traditional’ form): university guidelines state the maximum word count to be 100,000 words.
    • Creative Writing practice–based PhD (PhD in which the major contribution is to be found in the portfolio of works, thematically related, illustrated by a supporting thesis/ reflection on creative practice): indicative word count 30,000 words, plus portfolio.

    Following advice from your supervisory team, and prompts from PhD Manager, you should notify the Doctoral College of your intention to submit your thesis at least three months prior to your expected thesis submission date. This enables the Doctoral College to begin making examination arrangements.  This does not tie you to the submission date, it simply allows preparations for your submission and viva to begin.

    For Full time researchers the submission of your thesis should be completed within 36 months (PhD) or 24 months (MPhil) of first registration.

    For Part time researchers the submission of your thesis should be completed within 72 months (PhD) or 48 months (MPhil) of first registration.

  • Oral examination

    An oral examination (Viva Voce Examination, commonly shortened to viva) is required to be held no less than four weeks from the date on which the Board of Examiners receives your thesis, and normally within three months of receipt of the submission.  The examination will usually be held at your home campus. Where the examination is to be held on another campus, your written consent must be provided prior to arranging the examination.

    PhD Manager will detail the date, time and venue of the oral examination once a date has been arranged by the Chair of the supervisory team.

    Following the viva, you will be informed of the recommended outcome via PhD Manager and email.   Details of the possible examination outcomes can be found under the regulations for each degree programme.

    Please consult this document for regulations, rules, and guidelines for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

  • Deposit of data

    In accordance with the requirements of the University Code of Practice for Professional Integrity in the Conduct of Research each researcher must deposit all raw data and samples with their Supervisor Team prior to final presentation of the thesis. Confirmation that the supervisory team is content that all appropriate materials have been deposited must be presented to the Doctoral College at the time of submission, this is done via the Deposit of Data and Samples Form.