Critical and Cultural Theory
Students on the PhD Critical and Cultural Theory receive supervision from academic staff with a long-standing commitment to excellence and diversity in research, who work at the forefront of pioneering research in critical and cultural theory.
Programme aims
The PhD/MPhil in Critical and Cultural Theory at Cardiff University enables postgraduate researchers to explore topics in aspects of critical theory including critical race theory, postcolonial theory, feminist theory, gender studies and queer theory, eco-criticism and various approaches developing out of structuralism and post-structuralism.
We value the rich experience of our many overseas students and actively attend to their specific needs in relation to their cultural context of study and, with the support of the School’s Writing Development Centre, the demands of writing elegantly in a second language.
Distinctive features
- A dynamic and supportive interdisciplinary research culture
- Training to develop and enhance transferable skills that will increase students’ employability in an increasingly competitive jobs market, both inside and outside of Higher Education
- Access to a diverse range of research training and professional development opportunities, including a generic training programme and thesis workshops that allow you the opportunity to present work in progress to your peers.
- Access to a dedicated suite of research rooms
- Graduate teaching opportunities on the undergraduate degree upon application as such opportunities arise, with support from the University’s Learning and Teaching Academy via the Associate Fellowship Programme for those undertaking graduate tutoring roles
- Postgraduate research students can apply for School funding to attend academic conferences and/or undertake archival/library visits.
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time, part-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD, MPhil |
| Full-time duration | PhD 3 years, MPhil 1 year |
| Part-time duration | PhD 5 years, MPhil 2 years |
| Start dates | January, April, July, October |
Skills developed
In addition to working closely with a supervisor, doctoral students attend a weekly thesis workshop, which offers discipline-specific research training as well as opportunities to share work-in-progress with other students.
The workshops run alongside the integrated research and professional skills training programme offered by the Doctoral Academy.
Assessment
The PhD is assessed by submission of a thesis of 80,000 words and a viva voce examination.
The MPhil is assessed by submission of a thesis of 50,000 words and a viva voce examination.
"Positioned at the interface of different traditions, methodologies, theoretical approaches, disciplines and practices, our pioneering research engenders challenging and fascinating questions for our staff and, through our PhD supervision and research-led teaching, also for our students at all levels."
— Professor Ann Heilmann, Director of Research in the School of English, Communication and Philosophy.
Research environment
Placed 4th in the UK for research impact and 5th for research power in English Language and Literature (REF2021, the School’s commitment to the intellectual and professional development of its postgraduate students is underpinned by the provision of a high-quality supervisory experience, advanced-level research training and access to the resources necessary to help each student flourish intellectually and work productively.
The vitality of the research community is evidenced by the diverse range of research clusters: digital cultures; visual cultures; gender and sexuality; Welsh cultures, centres, networks and reading groups.
In addition, the School runs a student-led annual research conference for postgraduates working in English Literature, Creative and Critical Writing, Critical and Cultural Theory and Philosophy, the aim of which is to foster interdisciplinary conversations and to enhance students’ individual research and employability skills.
The Arts and Social Studies Library contains substantial collections in all our subject areas, together with extensive electronic resources. It is also home to Special Collections and Archives, which holds specialist collections, such as Cardiff Rare Books (a collection of over 14,000 items ranging from fifteenth-century incunabula to twentieth-century fine press books), as well as materials relating to Devolution, Eastern and Central Europe, the First World War, Illustrations, Labour history, Welsh literature and culture, Witchcraft, Women’s History and Gender Studies, the History of Medicine and Science—and much more.
We welcome PhD applications in staff specialist areas, such as the following:
- Critical Marxism
- Cultural History
- Deconstruction
- Deleuze studies
- Digital theory and game studies
- Eco-humanities
- Gender, sexuality and race
- German aesthetics and Frankfurt School
- Postcolonialism, Nation and culture
- Postmodernism
- Posthumanism
- Theories of the literary
- Trauma and memory studies.
More information about staff and their research areas can be found on the School's website.
In a competitive jobs market, our students are encouraged and supported in building up the skills that will make them employable, whatever their career direction.
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
As well as completing the online application form, the research proposal and supporting documents, we also require a sample essay of around 4,000 words in English written by you on any literary or cultural topic of your choice (something that you have previously submitted for your master’s degree, for instance). You are recommended to email the postgraduate administrator at encap-pg@cardiff.ac.uk with your research proposal and a sample essay prior to making a formal application.
Suitable for graduates in Humanities and Social Sciences. A First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or equivalent is required.
Students who have not completed an MA or a research training methods course may be asked to audit Theory Modules on the MA English Literature.
English language requirements
The School welcomes applications from students outside the United Kingdom. For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each sub score is essential.
Please read our English language requirements for more details.
Contacts
Administrative contact(s)
ENCAP Postgraduate Admissions
Administrative contact
