Best Literature Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025 - WeUni

Phd in Understanding Written Artifacts

Universität Hamburg

Germany

History, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Humanities, Cultural Heritage, Literature, Linguistics, Museum Studies, Archaeology

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Graduate School’s support concept for doctoral students is modelled on the well-established structure developed in the doctoral programme ‘Manuscript Cultures’, which started with the SFB 950 ‘Manuscript Cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe’ in 2011.

English

3 Years

Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture

Michigan Technological University MTU

United States of America (USA)

Fine Arts, History, Philosophy, Humanities, Cultural Heritage, Journalism, Film Studies, Literature, Arts, Communication

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The shifting technological and media landscape of our globalized world constantly offers up new objects and fresh questions for examination. At Michigan Technological University, we’re training a new breed of scholars who can work across disciplines to grapple with complex cultural realities. Heed the call.

English

Doctor of Philosophy in Literature

The University of Texas at Dallas

United States of America (USA)

Humanities, Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The graduate program in literature brings together scholars, creative writers, and translators who share a commitment to transnational and interdisciplinary approaches to literary study and practice. The Ph.D. in Literature provides students with a flexible context in which to pursue research across a wide range of literary traditions, critical approaches, and theoretical debates.

English

4 Years

Critical and Cultural Theory (Research)

Cardiff University

United Kingdom

Literature, History, Philosophy, Humanities, Cultural Heritage

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

English

PhD in Modern Languages and Literatures

Università degli Studi di Torino

Italy

Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This PhD explores contemporary languages and literatures, analyzing texts, authors, and modern and postmodern literary movements. Students study the structure and evolution of modern languages, as well as how these influence and reflect contemporary cultures. The program prepares specialists capable of contributing to literary research, translation, and intercultural understanding.

Italian

3 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in English Literature

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Humanities, Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The development of this research programme should improve knowledge and understanding of English literature from its origins. Students are exposed to a variety of literary genres (poetry, theatre, fiction and non-fiction), as well as the main aesthetic, political, religious and social issues that have influenced and helped shape the literature of every era.

English

2 Years

Ph.D. in English-Rhetoric, Writing, & Culture

North Dakota State University - Graduate School

United States of America (USA)

Humanities, Creative Writing

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This innovative and regionally unique program invites students to work at the intersection of rhetorical, textual, and cultural studies.

English

3 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Comparative Literature

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Humanities, Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

A research thesis for these PhD programmes should be designed to improve the knowledge and understanding of literature from its different cultural approaches. Every student in the research in this area should distinguish between the various literary genres (poetry, theatre, fiction and nonfiction), as well as the main aesthetic, political, religious and social issues that have influenced and contributed to shaping the literature of all times and cultures.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English Language and Literature

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Humanities, Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The learning skills at a distance from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities are usually highly professional. The degree programs of distance learning of Selinus University in this faculty allow access to the specialization in which the student can choose the topics of your interest in order to design a program fully adapted to his vocation. There are generally no problems for the professional practice of any of these specializations except in formal education.

English

2 Years

Composition (Research)

Cardiff University

United Kingdom

Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Arts, Music

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

English

Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities

The University of Texas at Dallas

United States of America (USA)

Museum Studies, Theology and Religious Studies, Archaeology, Liberal Arts, History, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Humanities, Cultural Heritage, Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in Humanities degree program is designed primarily for individuals who wish to conduct advanced research and to teach at the college level, but it is open to qualified candidates who wish to enhance fully their knowledge and skills. Students may concentrate on one of the three main areas of study: (1). History of Ideas, which concentrates on history and philosophy; (2). Literature, which concentrates on literature, language, rhetoric, translation studies, and creative writing; (3). Visual and Performing Arts, which concentrates on visual and performing arts, creative writing, art history, and film studies.

English

4 Years

PhD in Literature

Università degli Studi di Torino

Italy

Literature

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Literature focuses on critical analysis and advanced research in the literary and linguistic fields. Students explore texts, authors, and literary movements across different periods and cultures, developing skills in textual criticism and literary theory. The program prepares scholars capable of contributing to academic research and enhancing the value of literary and linguistic heritage.

Italian

3 Years

12 Best Literature Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

Phd in Understanding Written Artifacts

Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture

Doctor of Philosophy in Literature

Critical and Cultural Theory (Research)

PhD in Modern Languages and Literatures

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in English Literature

Ph.D. in English-Rhetoric, Writing, & Culture

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Comparative Literature

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English Language and Literature

Composition (Research)

Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities

PhD in Literature

Doctoral Degrees, Literature