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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.
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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:

  • 770 undergraduates
  • 45 taught postgraduates
  • 60 PhD researchers
  • 60 academic, 5 postdoctoral, and 8 administrative staff

Explore our various courses, or engage with us on social media to discover our research.

Find out more about us
2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2027
Athena Swan Bronze Award
Athena Swan Bronze Award Recognising our work to address gender equality
26th
26th in the 2026 QS World University Subject Rankings for English Language and Literature
World leading research 90% of our research activity was judged to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in REF 2021
Jeremy Vine stands with two young women in Durham City Centre.

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 more

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Study 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.
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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.
Small group of students sat working at their laptops together

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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 research
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Discover more

  • Diversity and inclusion

    See how we provide an inclusive and supportive working and teaching environment for all.

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  • Our staff

    Find out more about the varied interests and expertise of our academic staff.

    Postgraduate Photography 2011

Diversity and inclusion

See how we provide an inclusive and supportive working and teaching environment for all.

Student working outdoors

Our staff

Find out more about the varied interests and expertise of our academic staff.

Postgraduate Photography 2011

  • Events

    Find out more about what's on and join us at one of our many online or on-site public events.

    Sacred and Profane July 2016

  • Current research

    Find out more about some of our current research initiatives and projects.

    Incandescent bulb and colourful notes

Events

Find out more about what's on and join us at one of our many online or on-site public events.

Sacred and Profane July 2016

Current research

Find out more about some of our current research initiatives and projects.

Incandescent bulb and colourful notes

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.
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Follow English Studies on LinkedIn

Support your career with our LinkedIn community of academics, students, and alumni
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What's new?

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Six Arts and Humanities subjects ranked in the UK top five in Guardian University Guide 2027

Six subjects across Durham University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities have been ranked among the five best in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027, with all seven featured subjects placed in the top 10.

Durham news
A student sitting at a table with a laptop.

Durham Arts and Humanities subjects rank among the UK’s best in student-focused Unifresher rankings

Durham University’s Arts and Humanities subjects have performed strongly in the latest Unifresher subject rankings, helping to secure Durham’s position as the UK’s leading Russell Group university in the Unifresher 2027 Rankings.
Student news
students looking at phone with view of cathedral

Durham and Southwestern sign new Master’s pathway agreement

Durham University has established a new partnership with Southwestern University (Georgetown, USA), creating a streamlined progression route for qualified Southwestern graduates onto a selection of Durham taught Master’s programmes, including many in Arts and Humanities.
Business and Partnerships
Durham and Southwestern sign new Master’s pathway agreement

Spotlight on: Dr Alistair Brown – bringing literature to life through immersive technology

Our ‘Spotlight On’ series showcases the world-leading work of our academics. Dr Alistair Brown is using 21st century technology to transform how people can experience classic literature.
Global research
Black and white image of Dr Alistair Brown facing the camera

Local school pupils take the director's chair in Shakespeare workshops

Over 200 pupils from local schools took part in a series of innovative workshops to bring Shakespeare to life with the help of our researchers and Elysium Theatre Company.
Durham news
Local school pupils sat in the auditorium of Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre with actors on stage performing a scene from a Shakespeare play. Image credit Paul G Clark

Durham Hosts Week of Events Honouring Black History and Reparative Justice

A vibrant week of events (20–23 October 2025) will take place across Durham, exploring Black history, reparative justice, and decolonial thought. Organised as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the programme brings together scholars, students, and community members for walking tours, film screenings, and keynote lectures that highlight critical conversations around race, memory, and historical responsibility.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Woman in front of whiteboard smiling

Research brings the Japanese ghost stories of Lafcadio Hearn to County Durham

Durham research is supporting a new exhibition inspired by the works of Lafcadio Hearn.
Durham news
A sepia toned image of standing Lafcadio Hearn and seated Koizumi Setsu alongside the front cover of ‘Kwaidan’ first edition which has a red flower on the front.
Read more news

  • Fulbright Scholarship for Jennifer Terry

    Congratulations to Dr Jennifer Terry, who has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholar grant. 
    Research news
    Jennifer Terry

  • Recent Publications April 2026: Space, Minds, Shakespeare, and more

    The academic staff of the Department of English Studies at Durham University are continually making significant contributions to the field of literary studies, exploring texts from the medieval period to post-modern and contemporary fiction. Below we list their recent works, exploring themes such as dreams and liminal cognition, death in the long nineteenth century, AI and special collections, and Neo-Victorian Decadence, that reflect our commitment to research-led academic excellence.
    Research news
    English Studies Research Publications 2026

  • The Afterlives of the Cambridge Spies

    A new AHRC-funded project led by Professor James Smith (Department of English Studies, Durham University) and Professor Michael S Goodman (Director of the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence, King’s College London) will investigate the cultural legacies of the Cambridge spy ring.
    Research news
    Spy camera

Fulbright Scholarship for Jennifer Terry

Congratulations to Dr Jennifer Terry, who has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholar grant. 

Jennifer Terry

Recent Publications April 2026: Space, Minds, Shakespeare, and more

The academic staff of the Department of English Studies at Durham University are continually making significant contributions to the field of literary studies, exploring texts from the medieval period to post-modern and contemporary fiction. Below we list their recent works, exploring themes such as dreams and liminal cognition, death in the long nineteenth century, AI and special collections, and Neo-Victorian Decadence, that reflect our commitment to research-led academic excellence.
English Studies Research Publications 2026

The Afterlives of the Cambridge Spies

A new AHRC-funded project led by Professor James Smith (Department of English Studies, Durham University) and Professor Michael S Goodman (Director of the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence, King’s College London) will investigate the cultural legacies of the Cambridge spy ring.
Spy camera

Durham Arts and Humanities subjects rank among the UK’s best in student-focused Unifresher rankings

Durham University’s Arts and Humanities subjects have performed strongly in the latest Unifresher subject rankings, helping to secure Durham’s position as the UK’s leading Russell Group university in the Unifresher 2027 Rankings.

students looking at phone with view of cathedral

Creative Writing students gain inspiration at Durham Book Festival

At the start of the academic year, the city welcomed the annual Durham Book Festival, one of the country’s oldest literary festivals, produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University. The festival invites a range of thinkers, writers and performers, and includes workshops and networking events for aspiring authors. The Festival is just one of the extra-curricular opportunities available to our Creative Writing and English Literature students each year. 
Durham Book Festival 2025 logo

National Campaign shows creative and economic value of English degrees

Our Department of English Studies is joining Britain’s leading English academics and graduates from 3rd to 7th June as part of the #EnglishCreates campaign, which aims to highlight the value of English degrees.
#EnglishCreates logo

Six Arts and Humanities subjects ranked in the UK top five in Guardian University Guide 2027

Six subjects across Durham University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities have been ranked among the five best in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027, with all seven featured subjects placed in the top 10.

A student sitting at a table with a laptop.

Local school pupils take the director's chair in Shakespeare workshops

Over 200 pupils from local schools took part in a series of innovative workshops to bring Shakespeare to life with the help of our researchers and Elysium Theatre Company.
Local school pupils sat in the auditorium of Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre with actors on stage performing a scene from a Shakespeare play. Image credit Paul G Clark

Free schools workshops bring Shakespeare from page to stage and VR

This October 13th to 16th a collaboration between our Department of English Studies, Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, Elysium Theatre Company, and Palace Green Library, is offering pupils from local schools and colleges the opportunity to experience the transformation of Shakespeare from page to stage to virtual reality.
Students welcoming pupils from Whitburn Church of England Academy to the assembly Rooms

Upcoming events

QS World University Rankings 2027

QS World University Rankings 2027: Durham ranks 85th, up 9 places

Our global reputation for employability reflects the quality and real-world relevance of our education and research. Ranked 85th overall, we are also among the world’s top 50 for Employer Reputation and placed joint 24th for Sustainability.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

Get 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.

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