Career opportunities
A postgraduate English degree is valuable in areas like teaching, publishing, and writing. It is useful in the arts (including theatre, film and television) and the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums).
Our graduates can also be found working in print and broadcast journalism, foreign affairs and diplomacy, arts entrepreneurship, law, local and national politics, policy and governance, public relations and communications, advertising, technology and digital services, and community engagement.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Picture (Im)Perfect: Utopia and Dystopia in Literature
- 'A Small Good Thing': The Short Story in the Old World and the New
- Modern Poetry
- Directed Reading and Writing
- Research Essay
Check out the full curriculum
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL® IBT: 90
- PTE Academic: 58
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
- Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused honours or master’s degree, at First or Second Class (Division I) Honours or Distinction level (or equivalent qualifications).
- Applicants with qualifications from outside Aotearoa New Zealand must have been granted admission to the University. Our admissions team, in consultation with the host department, look at your qualifications and transcripts to ensure that you have the background required to complete a PhD. It is possible that you may be required to complete preparatory courses prior to or after admission into a PhD programme.
- In exceptional circumstances applicants without the typical academic background, but who can demonstrate the ability to pursue a PhD, may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 7,079 AUD / year (≈ 8,570 NZD / year)
Domestic: 7,079 AUD / year (≈ 8,570 NZD / year)
Additional Details
The ‘Tuition fee total’ is an estimate only. Your total study cost will depend on the courses you choose, and will include additional costs such as student levies, insurance, retakes, and other course-related costs.
International and national students: $8,570 - $10,321 (subject-dependent) per 120 points
Living costs
Christchurch, New Zealand: 1,074-1,652 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
