Overview
A Creative Writing PhD delivered by University of Hertfordshire often draws on other disciplines, so a PhD candidate may have a second supervisor from History, Media, Life Sciences, or any other discipline. Please contact staff to discuss the requirements of your particular thesis.
Key Facts
The critical work might take the form of a critical investigation of a related author or authors’ work or an investigation of the PhD’s candidate’s own creative practice and the practical or theoretical underpinnings of the creative work. The exact content of the critical element will be devised by the candidate with the support of their supervisory team.
The creative work should be a fully realised work of literature, whether in prose, poetry or drama. The creative work thus is research into creative practice and therefore makes an original contribution to knowledge. The two elements must be written side by side, as the research undertaken across the project will be crucial to both written documents.
What’s next for my career?
- You will be able to develop a substantial, original and creative research project with the help and support of academics who are active researchers and writers themselves.
- You will acquire extensive subject expertise and independent research skills, honed over an extended period.
- You will join a thriving School of Creative Arts and become part of a burgeoning research culture. As a postgraduate student, you are invited to attend and participate in regular reading series, seminars and international conferences hosted by the Creative Writing group.
- All our students are encouraged to present work at national and international conferences and to submit their research for publication.
Programme Structure
- The critical work might take the form of a critical investigation of a related author or authors’ work or an investigation of the PhD’s candidate’s own creative practice and the practical or theoretical underpinnings of the creative work.
- The creative work should be a fully realised work of literature, whether in prose, poetry or drama. The creative work thus is research into creative practice and therefore makes an original contribution to knowledge.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
- GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- PTE Academic: 59
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
- Before making your formal application, please acquaint yourself with the research expertise of our staff to establish whether there may be an appropriate supervisor for the research project you would like to undertake.
- Please include an outline research proposal with your application. Members of academic staff will advise on the length and scope of the proposal.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
- International: 34,486 AUD / year (≈ 18,120 GBP / year)
- Domestic: 11,609 AUD / year (≈ 6,100 GBP / year)
Living costs — Hatfield, United Kingdom
1,256-2,170 AUD / month

