The University of Warwick
Literary Practice PhD
The University of Warwick

Course modalities offered
  • On campus - h Main Site
  • Sep 30, 2024 Full-time - 4 years
  • On campus - h Main Site
  • Sep 30, 2024 Part-time - 7 years

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Take time to write your novel, poetry, short stories or non-fiction under the supervision of our published, prize-winning writers.

The Warwick Writing Programme, founded in 1996, is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in Europe and was ranked first by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

Course overview

Creative writing is beginning to take its place in the academy across Europe as well as in the Anglophone world. Taking a doctorate in a creative practice is a way of qualifying for a teaching and/or research career in higher education in the UK or elsewhere. You might also be interested in this degree if you want not only to complete a novel, short story, poetry collection or work of creative non-fiction under the supervision of well-known writers and teachers, but also to situate your own writing practice in relation to literary traditions, theories and new developments.

PhD theses, albeit in creative form, will be founded on rigorous research, reflection and participation in academic life.

We offer our PhD students the attention of our best writers and scholars; a place in our real and virtual spaces where writers at all stages of their careers listen and speak to each other; and all the artistic and scholarly resources of a world-leading university located between several exciting cities.

Further information on the PhD in Literary Practice is available on the Warwick Writing Programme website.

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 5.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Arts
    • 7.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Business, Computer and Social Studies
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Faculty of Sciences excepting MORSE

We offer a variety of postgraduate funding options for study at the University of Warwick, from postgraduate loans, university scholarships, fee awards, to academic department bursaries. It's important that you apply for your postgraduate course first before you apply for a University of Warwick scholarship.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Literary Practice, PhD, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Minimum requirements

Applicants should normally hold a BA (class mark 2:1 or First or the international equivalent thereof) and an MA/MFA/MPhil in a subject related to the proposed doctoral project with a grade of at least 65 or the international equivalent thereof.

Evidence of publication would be preferred but is not essential. We require two references from people familiar with your work and, if English was not the medium of instruction for your previous degrees, an IELTS score of at least 7.5 or equivalent.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to vary these conditions for applicants who are able to demonstrate compelling evidence of advanced writing experience and an awareness of the critical requirements of creative writing practice in an academic environment. This would require the submission of both creative and critical writing reaching at least the standards of MA-level work.

Places on the PhD are awarded following a holistic assessment of the application, which includes consideration of the applicant’s academic qualifications, the strength and originality of the proposal (including the critical component), the quality of the writing sample(s) submitted, and the availability of suitable supervisors.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

Band C

IELTS overall (Academic) score of 75 and component scores.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Warwick in top UK and global rankings.

See all 37 university rankings of The University of Warwick

About The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick, often shortened to Warw, is a government funded research university situated on the outer limits of Coventry, England. With an eye on the future, Warw intends to establish itself by 2030 as one of the world’s exceptional universities, helping to transform the region, country and world for collective good by the application of research. The main campus is located between Coventry and Warwickshire on almost three square kilometres of leafy woodland.

List of 313 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Warwick - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Warwick

Total number of students enrolled at The University of Warwick by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
18235
postgraduates:
7835
Total:
26070
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Comparative Literary Studies”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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Admission advice for international students