Program Overview

The Cultural Currents in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century: Continuities between 'Victorian' and 'Modernist' Literature PhD program at Loughborough University offers a unique opportunity to investigate and challenge the boundaries and definitions of 'Victorian' and 'modernist' literature across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Qualification(s) Available

• PhD

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a related subject.
• The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark for international students.
• Country-specific requirements are outlined in the following section.

Country-Specific Requirements

The following are the country-specific requirements for a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification):

• Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
• Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare, 9.5
• Algeria: Licence, 16
• Argentina: Licenciatura, 8.5
• Armenia: Bakalavri Kochum, 90% or 3.9
• Australia: Honours degree, First Class, 80%
• Austria: Degree, A (or 1.5)
• Azerbaijan: Bakalavr Diplomu, 4.5 or 90%
• Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 1st (70%)
• Barbados: University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Belarus: Specialist Diploma, 9
• Belgium: Bachelor degree, 80% or 17
• Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Benin: Maitrise, 18
• Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bolivia: Licenciado, 4.5
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja, 10
• Botswana: Master's degree, A or 80%
• Brazil: Bacharel or Licenciado, 8.5
• Brunei: First
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie, 6
• Burundi: Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies, 18
• Cambodia: Masters, 80% or B+ or 3.5
• Cameroon: Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures, 1st or 3.6
• Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7/85%
• Chile: Grado de Licenciado, 6
• China: Bachelor degree, 83% (Top 250 Shanghai rank)
• Colombia: Licenciado, 4.5
• Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
• Croatia: Baccalaureus, 4.5
• Cuba: Titulo de Licenciado, 5
• Cyprus: Bachelor degree, 8.5
• Czech Republic: Bakalár, 1
• Denmark: Candidatus, 12
• Dominican Republic: Licenciado, 3.8
• Ecuador: Título de Licenciado, 8.5
• Egypt: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• El Salvador: Licenciado, 8.5
• Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad, 5
• Ethiopia: Master's degree, A or 80%
• Finland: Kandidaattii, 3
• France: Licence, 14
• Georgia: 4-year degree, 5
• Germany: German Bachelor, 1.5
• Ghana: Bachelor degree, First
• Greece: Ptychio, 8.5
• Grenada: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Guatemala: Licenciado, 90%
• Guyana: Master's degree, GPA 4
• Honduras: Título de Licenciado, GPA 5
• Hong Kong: Bachelor degree, 1st or 3.5/4
• Hungary: Alapfokozt, 4.5
• Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree, 8.5
• India: Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework, 65% (First)
• Indonesia: Sarjana I, 3.3
• Iran: Bachelor degree, 17
• Iraq: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Ireland: Bachelor degree, First (70%)
• Israel: 3-year Bachelor Degree, 90%
• Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109/110
• Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 16
• Jamaica: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Japan: Gakushi, 85% or A or 3.5
• Jordan: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Kazakhstan: GPA 5.0/percentage scale, 4.5
• Kenya: Bachelor degree, First or 70%
• Kosovo: Bachelor degree, 10
• Kuwait: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Latvia: Bachelor degree, 9
• Lebanon: Bachelor degree, 18
• Liberia: Master's degree, 4.0 or 90%
• Libya: Bachelor degree, 85% (3.6)
• Lithuania: Bachelor degree, 9
• Luxembourg: Bachelor degree, 18
• Macau: Bachelor degree, 1st or GPA 3.7
• Macedonia: Magistar, 10
• Malawi: Master's degree, A or 75%
• Malaysia: Bachelor degree, First Class
• Malta: Bachelor degree, 1st (80%)
• Mauritius: Bachelor degree, 1st or 70%
• Mexico: Licenciado, 8.5
• Moldova: Diploma de Licenţă, 9
• Mongolia: Диплом Специалиста, 90% or 3.5
• Montenegro: Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies, 10
• Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, 16
• Mozambique: Mestrado, 16
• Myanmar (Burma): 2-year Master's degree, 5 or 85%
• Namibia: Bachelor Honours, 80% or A
• Nepal: 4-year professional degree, 80% or 3.7 GPA
• Netherlands: Bachelor degree, 8
• New Zealand: 4-Year Honours degree, First (7.0)
• Nicaragua: Licenciado, 90%
• Nigeria: 7-point Scale, 6
• Norway: Norway, A / 1.8
• Oman: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Pakistan: 4-Year degree, A- or GPA 3.7
• Palestine: Bachelor (4-years), (85%) 3.5
• Panama: Licenciado, 91 (A)
• Papua New Guinea: Bachelor (Honours) Degree, 1st
• Paraguay: Título de Licenciado, 4.5
• Peru: Título de Licenciado, 14
• Philippines: Degree from prestigious state universities, Summa Cum Laude 4.0
• Poland: Bachelor Degree, 5
• Portugal: Diplom de Estudos Superiores Especializados, 18
• Qatar: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Romania: Diploma de Licenta, 9
• Russia: Bakalavr, 4.5
• Rwanda: 4-year bachelor (Hons) degree, 1st, 16/20 (80%)
• Saudi Arabia: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Senegal: Maitrise, 16/20 or Tres Bien
• Serbia: Diplomirani, 9
• Sierra Leone: Honours degree or masters, 1st (70%)
• Singapore: Bachelor (Hons), First
• Slovakia: Bakalár, 1.5
• Slovenia: University Diplom, 9
• South Africa: Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech, 1st or 75%
• South Korea: GPA out of 4.5, 3.8 / B+
• Spain: Licenciado, 8.5
• Sri Lanka: 4-year Professional degree, 90%, GPA 3.70
• Sudan: 4-year degree, 1st, 70%, B+
• Sweden: Kandidatexamen, Overall grade of VG
• Switzerland: Bachelor Degree, 10 / 5.5 / 1
• Syria: State universities, 80%
• Taiwan: Category 1 (4-year degree), 80%
• Tajikistan: Диплом специалиста, 5
• Tanzania: Bachelor degree, 1st
• Thailand: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Trinidad and Tobago: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Tunisia: Licence, 16 (tres bien)
• Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi, 3.5
• Turkmenistan: 4 Yr Bakalavr, 5
• Uganda: Bachelor degree, 1st or 4.4
• Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra, 4.5
• United Arab Emirates: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Uruguay: Licenciado, 9
• Uzbekistan: Majistr Diplomi, 90% or GPA 4.5
• Venezuela: Licenciado, 18/20 or 8/9
• Vietnam: 10-point scale, 8.0
• Zambia: Master's, A or 4.0 or 80%
• Zimbabwe: 3/4 year degree, 1st or 75%

Fees and Funding

• UK fee: £5,006 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £22,360 Full-time degree per annum
• Fees for the 2025-2026 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2025, January 2026, April 2026, and July 2026.

How to Apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select English (School of Social Sciences and Humanities). Please quote the advertised reference number: EN-SP-25 in your application.

Project Details

This PhD project provides an opportunity to investigate and challenge the boundaries and definitions of 'Victorian' and 'modernist' literature across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Key issues to be explored include:

• How do we define Victorian and modernist writing?
• How do these concepts relate to historical periodisation?
• What are some of the continuities and affinities that we can identify in literature and culture across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries?

Supervisors

• Primary Supervisor: Dr Sarah Parker
• Secondary Supervisors:
  • Anne-Marie Beller
  • Barbara Cooke
  • Nick Freeman
  • Jade French
  • Clare Hutton
  • Claire O'Callaghan
  • Oliver Tearle
  • Wim Van Mierlo

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.