The School of English

The School of English at the University of Kent has an international reputation and a lively research culture. The expertise within the department range from the medieval to the postmodern including; British, American and Irish literature, postcolonial writing, 18th-century studies, Shakespeare, early modern literature and culture, Victorian studies, modern poetry, critical theory, and cultural history. The international reputation of the School ensures that we have a highly developed research culture and a vibrant intellectual community. The School also counts a number of highly acclaimed creative writers among its staff, many of whom are both critics and widely published authors of novels, short stories, or collections of poetry. We actively explore crossovers between creative and critical writing in all our areas of teaching and research.

Inspiring teaching

The School of English is research intensive and the wide ranging specialisms within the department are represented in the choice of Master’s programmes and module choices. The courses on offer are taught by experts in their field and bring together dynamic research and excellent teaching. As a postgraduate within the school you will be part of a diverse and thriving academic environment which allows you to develop your academic skills in a supportive environment.

Internationally recognised research

Our reputation for research excellence was confirmed in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008) where 30% of our research was found to be 'world-leading' (4*) in 'originality, significance and rigour', with another 35% judged to be 'internationally excellent' (3*). The University of Kent is a research led institution, which means that the research that the academics are engaged in continues to inform their teaching, and that you, as a student in the department, are at the centre of a dynamic and thriving academic environment. The School runs several series of weekly seminars, lectures and readings. Our Wednesday afternoon research seminars are organised collaboratively by staff and graduates in the School, often in conjunction with our research centres. Individual seminars address many diverse areas of interest and serve as a forum to discuss, develop and enhance work in progress. Speakers range from our own graduate students, to members of staff, to distinguished visiting academics who are at the forefront of current research nationally and internationally. There is also a thriving research seminar in advanced and contemporary theory and another in postcolonial literature. In addition, our dedicated team of creative writing teachers runs a series of weekly readings which feature our own students as well as internationally renowned authors.

The research within the department is centred on our five active research centres that are based within the School of English:
Centre for Modern Poetry
Centre for Colonial and Postcolonial Research
Centre for Studies in the Long Eighteenth Century
Centre for Gender, Sexuality and Writing
Centre for Creative Writing

In addition to these there are also two faculty-based research centres which also have strong input from the School:
Centre for Medieval & Early Modern Studies
Centre for American Studies

Between them, these research centres organise many international conferences, symposia, and workshops. The School also plays a pivotal role in the Kent Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, of which all graduates are associate members. The Institute hosts interdisciplinary conferences, colloquia and other events, and establishes international links for all Kent graduates through its network with other advanced institutes worldwide.