Why study a PhD with us?

You will have access to the University’s outstanding archival collections, ranging from the internationally famous Samuel Beckett archives to the Publisher’s Archives to the Children’s Literature Special Collection.

Our Library houses papers and manuscripts of several twentieth-century poets, a large collection of historical children’s books, and an impressive rare book collection.

We also house the Archive of British Publishing and Printing, which includes records of literary publishers such as Chatto & Windus and the Hogarth Press. We also have the world’s leading Samuel Beckett archive, containing manuscripts, letters, memoranda and book materials.

Major research resources, such as the British Library in London and the Bodleian in Oxford, are within easy reach.

Find out more about our Special Collections and resources

We have an active PhD community with students undertaking research on a wide range of topics.

If you undertake your degree with us you'll automatically become a member of the Doctoral and Researcher College, a large, diverse community of doctoral students across the University.

Learn more about the wider postgraduate community at Reading

We can support you to gain teaching experience and prepare for an academic career.

As a PhD student, you are offered the opportunity to prepare for becoming an academic teacher both through the Doctoral and Researcher College ‘Preparing to Teach’ programmes and through the Department.

In the Department, we offer a best practice model where PhD students shadow the Part one module seminars of an experienced tutor for a year. This is in advance of any teaching the PhD student may do themselves. This opportunity is subject to availability.