Postgraduate Research

UCL is home to a thriving research community in interdisciplinary studies in the Arts and Humanities, and is located at the centre of a city that has few rivals for the study of culture.

There are no deadlines for admission to SELCS-CMII and students can apply at any time of year to begin their research degrees in either late September or early January.

The minimum programme length for the MPhil and PhD degrees is two calendar years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Usually PhD degrees take at least three years full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. The examination for both degrees is by thesis. The maximum word lengths of MPhil and PhD theses are 60,000 and 100,000 words respectively.

All candidates register in the first instance for an MPhil degree. During the second year of full-time study, or the equivalent of part-time study, candidates may be upgraded to a PhD degree, provided that they convince an upgrade panel that their research has attained an adequate standard.

Language pathways

MPhil/PhD programmes: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Scandinavian Studies and Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies.

Comparative Literature and Creative Critical Inquiry

MPhil/PhD programmes: Comparative Literature, Creative Critical Writing and Creative Critical Inquiry (Practice-Related)

Early Modern Studies

If you are interested in completing a PhD in Early Modern Studies we can help you identify an appropriate supervisor.

European Studies

We consider the cultural and intellectual life of Europe and we focus on the emergence of modern Europe, the political implications of integration, and its transition from competing nation states and forms of governance to an expanding political and economic union.

Film Studies

We have particular research strengths in film history, film theory, and in an exceptionally broad range of national and regional cinemas.

Gender and Sexuality Studies

We address the challenges arising from contemporary changes in gender relations and examine theoretical and methodological frameworks with which gender and sexualities are explored, researched and implemented.