Creative Writing PhD

University of Leicester

PhD study in the area of Creative Writing is offered by the School of English at Leicester and this means becoming part of an exciting and dynamic research and creative environment. The PhD programme helps give structure to your creative project, and invites you to ask searching questions about your practice, to reflect on the process of producing creative work, and so to write a long critical-reflective essay (usually 15 to 20,000 words) to accompany the creative work. The creative body of work normally makes up 70% of the PhD, and the reflective thesis 30%. At its broadest, the emphasis is on trying to comprehend the practice of creation itself - surely one of the most fascinating subjects imaginable. Creative Writing doctorates lead to a variety of potential career paths. PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The maximum period of registration permitted before thesis submission is 4 years full-time / 7 years part-time. Active research (including all experimental work, laboratory work, field work, and data collection) will typically take 3 to 3.5 years full-time / 6 to 6.5 years part-time. On completion of active research students may request approval to register for a writing-up period of up to 12 months. The period of active research and writing-up together must not exceed the maximum registration period.

School of English