Develop your original ideas in a supportive community of researchers and under expert supervision. Why take a PhD in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures? Develop your unique voice and make an original, positive and lasting contribution to scholarship in the arts and humanitiesShare your passion and expertise with a supportive community - one of the largest and most diverse Schools in the University of EdinburghJoin reading groups and work-in-progress seminars, hear from in-house and visiting speakers, and publish in online journalsGain further training in research skills and methods and benefit from the Careers Service and Institute of Academic DevelopmentStudy at the historic heart of Scotland's capital and explore fantastic libraries and collections, on campus and in the city Find a supervisor Over the course of your PhD, you will be supervised by at least two members of academic staff with expertise in your area of research. You do not need to approach a potential supervisor before you apply to study with us. Our Departmental Postgraduate Research Directors have a good overview of all our supervision expertise and can advise you who might be the best supervisory fit for your thesis. Departmental Postgraduate Research Directors will also be able to advise you about supervision expertise beyond your main subject area or discipline, including in other Schools at the University of Edinburgh. This is particularly useful if your research is interdisciplinary.Selected departments also publish information and guidance on what to do before applying, including writing a research proposal for your programme.Links in our table take you to:PhD programme - the University's Degree Finder listing for each programme where you can find out more and applyDepartmental Postgraduate Research Director - an email to the staff member or team you should contact about finding a supervisorPre-application guidance - subject-specific information on what to do before applyingPhD programmeDepartmental Postgraduate Research DirectorPre-application guidanceCeltic Studies and Scottish Studies PhDProfessor Rob DunbarWriting a research proposal Chinese PhDProfessor Natascha Gentz Comparative Literature PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalCreative Writing PhDCreative Writing teamPre-application guidanceEast Asian Studies PhDProfessor Natascha Gentz English Literature PhDDr Alexander FreerWriting a research proposal European Theatre PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposal Film Studies PhDDr David SorfaPre-application guidanceFrench PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposal German PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalIntermediality PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposal Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies PhDDr Elvire Corboz Pre-application guidanceItalian PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalJapanese PhDProfessor Natascha Gentz Korean Studies PhDProfessor Natascha Gentz Medieval Studies PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalRussian PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalScandinavian Studies PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposal Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American (Hispanic) Studies PhDDr Ruairidh TarvetWriting a research proposalTranslation Studies PhDTranslation Studies teamPre-application guidanceFor further guidance on what to do before applying for a PhD, we suggest that you read the University's guide to applying to study at Edinburgh.Read the guidance on applying to study at Edinburgh Be inspired! See what our current PhD students are up to. Look at their thesis title is and find out who is supervising them. Browse our directory of current PhD research How and when to apply for a PhD Once you have been in touch with us to find a supervisor and discuss your research proposal, you apply for your programme through the University of Edinburgh’s online Degree Finder and its associated application service, EUCLID.To increase your chances of being eligible for a range of scholarships and other awards, you are strongly encouraged to apply for your PhD as early as possible. Applications to start a PhD programme in September 2026 open on Tuesday 7 October 2025. Go to Degree Finder Fees and funding Fees are determined by your nationality and the country where you are ‘ordinarily resident’. When applying for a programme, you should take into account that fees increase each year.Find out more about fees for PhD study on the University's Tuition Fees websitePostgraduate study can be expensive, and the funding available is highly competitive. Many scholarship schemes have early deadlines so, to increase your chances of being eligible for a range of scholarships and other awards, you are strongly encouraged to apply for your PhD as early as possible.Find out more about funding for PhD study Visit us... virtuallyThinking of joining us? Explore what it's like to live and study in Edinburgh.Join us for an online Open DayTake a virtual tour of the University of Edinburgh Look inside 50 George SquareGet in touchMany of us work on a hybrid basis - a mixture of on-campus and digitally.Our working hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (UK time).Please email us in the first instance, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Email our Postgraduate Research Office Research Excellence Framework The University of Edinburgh is ranked Top 5 in the UK for research in Modern Languages and in English Literature.As reported in Times Higher Education, the rankings are based on the quality and breadth of our research in Modern Languages and the overall quality of our research in English Literature. They come from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) – the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. Read more about our performance in REF 2021 QS World Rankings by Subject 2025 The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for:Arts and HumanitiesEnglish Language and LiteratureModern Languages Globally, we’re in the World Top 15: Arts and Humanities (10); English Language and Literature (7); Modern Languages (13). The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics. They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved. Are you currently studying with us? There’s lots more information on our LLC Student Information Hub. You will need your student log in to access the site. Go to the LLC Student Information Hub Go straight to... Information for current PhD Students Related linksResearch centres and networks in the School of Literatures, Languages and CulturesThe Institute of Academic Development resources for doctoral researchers This article was published on 2024-08-13
