PhD in English (American Literature)

Cambridge is an excellent place to study the literature of the United States, both on its own or in combination with other literatures. You will join a thriving and international academic community, supported by outstanding research facilities. American literature is one of the most popular options at undergraduate level, and every year our MPhil in American Literature attracts a cohort of outstanding students from all around the world, some of whom go on to join our PhD programme. In addition to a fortnightly American research seminar with internal and invited speakers, the faculty hosts an annual American literature symposium organised by and for postgraduates.

As a PhD student, you will be part of a large and intellectually stimulating community. Your research will be well supported by the opportunity to participate in the full range of seminars run by the English faculty, interdisciplinary seminars at CRASSH, and American teaching and resources at the adjacent Faculty of History. Through such organised events and formal training you will find many occasions for enriching discussions and collaborations.

Your PhD proposal can be on any topic that includes American or transatlantic literature, and on canonical or non-canonical authors. Faculty members’ research interests are many and varied, spanning the colonial period to the present day, in poetry, prose and drama, and embracing a wide range of critical approaches. To find out more about the research interests and publications of individual faculty members, and about American literature at Cambridge, please visit our website – especially the pages belonging to the American Research Group and the American MPhil.