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.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.
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 moreStudy 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.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.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 researchDiscover more
Diversity and inclusion
See how we provide an inclusive and supportive working and teaching environment for all.
Our staff
Find out more about the varied interests and expertise of our academic staff.
Events
Find out more about what's on and join us at one of our many online or on-site public events.
Current research
Find out more about some of our current research initiatives and projects.
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.Follow English Studies on LinkedIn
Support your career with our LinkedIn community of academics, students, and alumniSocial feeds
Durham UniversityTweets by durham_uni
What's new?
Filter:QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2024
We are ranked 29th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
Durham newsNew interdisciplinary health research awarded £9m grant
Our cutting-edge Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH) has been awarded a £9m Discovery Research Platform Award to develop a new Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities (DRP-MH). Global researchStrengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). Global research‘Something that speaks to you in the quiet of the night’: Horror writing with Naomi Booth
This Halloween, Dr Naomi Booth, Associate Professor in the Department of English Studies and award-winning fiction writer tells us about horror writing and the Boggart, a forgotten folklore monster. Research newsRecognition for the Department’s Research Excellence
Our outstanding research environment and our impact on public life, community, and culture have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Research news Read more newsInternational Dance Day: Looking at literature’s relationship to dance in 19th and 20th century modernism
On International Dance Day (Monday, 29 April) Dr Megan Girdwood from our Department of English explains how her research concentrates on late nineteenth and twentieth-century modernism, with a particular focus on literature’s relationship to performance, dance and the human body.
Exploring Shakespeare through the art of dance
Professor David Fuller, from our Department of English Studies, discusses his passions for music, ballet and Shakespeare. His latest research explores how ballet can provide new insights into The Bard’s work.Celebrating Shakespeare in Durham with the Summer Shakespeare Festival 2023
This summer the University and our Department of English Studies celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare in Durham in the best possible way - through world-class theatre.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.
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.Students Share their Stories during National Storytelling Week
During National Storytelling Week, 30 January – 5 February, we have been hearing from three budding writers who are currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing in the Department of English Studies.QS World University Rankings for English Studies 2024
We are ranked 29th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
Short story award success for Durham academic
An Associate Professor in our English department has followed in the footsteps of some of her favourite short story writers by winning the Edge Hill Short Story Prize Readers’ Choice Award.How A.S. Byatt’s northern identity and anger over climate change informed her fiction
Dr Barbara Franchi a Teaching Fellow in our Department of English Studies explores how, in her later fiction, A.S. Byatt used northern locations as emblems of the climate crisis and how human actions have detrimental effects on the whole planet.Upcoming events
View all eventsWorld-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2024
Durham is now ranked 78th in the world top 100 universities. We are also ranked joint 30th in a new category of Sustainability, and 50th in the Employer Reputation category.
Learn more about the QS World University RankingsGet 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.
Ask UsYour Durham prospectus
Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.
Order Now