Doctor of Philosophy in English

The graduate program in English at the University of Virginia has long been a distinguished one. We offer three graduate degrees, including the Master of Arts, the Doctor of Philosophy, and the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. While the following section of the website deals primarily with the MA and PhD degree programs, you can find information about our renowned MFA in creative writing here. At a time of rapid transition in the field of literary and cultural studies, we are intent upon sustaining our offerings in traditional historical periods, elaborating those in diverse world literatures, and engaging fully with the spectrum of current theoretical concerns. The University of Virginia is also widely recognized as a leader in digital humanities, an area for which much of the initiative comes from faculty and graduate students in the English department. We take pride in offering graduate study superintended by an internationally renowned faculty.

A completed application form, including the Statement of Academic Interests (called the "Personal Statement" in the on-line application form). Unofficial transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. (Official transcripts will later be required of all admitted applicants. Please do not send official transcripts in advance of receiving an offer of admission.) Three confidential letters of recommendation. Results of the TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants whose first language is not English. A writing sample of 15-25 double-spaced pages (including notes). The writing sample should be in a 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman. The Department of English no longer requires the GRE test. Submitted scores will not be considered. The minimum internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score requirement is 90 (including sectional minimums of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading and 23 in listening). The minimum paper-based TOEFL score requirement is 600. Applicants may submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative to the TOEFL exam. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 7.0 in each section.