Awards and scholarships

Goldsmiths, University of London, is part of the AHRC funded CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership. As an active consortium of 9 research-intensive institutions, CHASE fosters collaborations that provide inspiring research-led training across the arts, humanities and creative practices. Working across institutions and disciplines, and in partnership with organisations in the creative and public sectors, CHASE supports a rich and responsive environment for new research.

The Department of English and Comparative Literature promotes an understanding of the value of human culture and creativity that is central to the CHASE vision of postgraduate research and professional development. Our research and training environment encourages our doctoral students to develop interdisciplinary methodologies. In addition, our network of partnerships with leading arts and humanities organisations and creative industries provides an outstanding resource for CHASE scholars.

Applications for the studentships will be considered on a competitive basis. Given the intensity of the competition, potential applicants to CHASE should normally expect to have achieved First Class Honours at BA level and a Distinction at MA level. Other relevant factors, such as an exceptionally strong portfolio in the case of creative writing students, may be taken into consideration, but the above standards are otherwise a sound indication of baseline expectations.

The awards cover fees and maintenance for UK residents.  Awards are on a fee-only basis for EU residents (please consult the CHASE website for updates regarding Brexit). The funding will cover professional development opportunities, including the enhancement of public engagement skills and placements with CHASE partner organisations in the UK and overseas.

To be considered for one of these awards, you must have formally applied to Goldsmiths for entry to a PhD programme in the department in advance of the deadline set each year by the CHASE DTP, or be already registered for a PhD in the department. We encourage you to contact us as early as possible to discuss your proposal.

• For enquiries about PhD programmes in the department please contact Uttara Natarajan
• For enquiries about the PhD in Creative Writing, please contact Stephen Knight
• To see staff expertise, please consult our website

For full details of the subject areas covered and more information on how to apply, please see the CHASE website.

Tamil Modernity and English Prose: A Cross-Cultural Study

Applications are invited for a fully-funded, three-year PhD, jointly supervised at the Department of English and Comparative Literature and the Roja Muthiah Research Library in Chennai, India.

The research will be carried out under the joint guidance of Dr. Uttara Natarajan at the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths and A.S. Panneerselvan, a senior journalist at The Hindu and a research affiliate at the Roja Muthiah Research Library in Chennai.

The PhD programme will commence in September 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful applicant is expected to spend three months annually at the Roja Muthiah Library. This is an unparalleled opportunity to work at one of India’s finest research libraries, whose extensive holdings in Tamil materials, including non-print media, make it an indispensible resource centre for Tamil studies.

The project will be the first sustained investigation of the impact of English literary models on the genesis of modern Tamil prose. Yielding new insights into the complex relations between modernity, colonialism, and nationalism in the Tamil context, it will contribute uniquely to the mutual enriching of two vibrant modern cultures, Tamil and British.

How to apply

Further information, including details about how to apply, can be found on the CHASE website. Closes 31 March 2021, 12 noon.

Terms and conditions

The studentship is subject to UKRI eligibility criteria, and will cover home or EU fees and stipend at UKRI rates for a maximum of four years full-time, or eight years part-time study, subject to institutional regulations.

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries about this collaborative project can be sent to u.natarajan (@gold.ac.uk)..

The Department of English and Creative Writing will be awarding a limited number of competitive fee-waiver bursaries for the academic session 2023-24. Read here the criteria and guidance for the fee-waiver bursaries competitions.

Applications for 2023-24 are now open until 29^th May 2023.

Deadline: Monday 29^th May, 12:00am.

For new students 30% fee waivers

Students applying to the following MA programmes are also eligible to apply for a limited number of 30% fee waivers*:

• MA Black British Literature
• MA Creative and Life Writing
• MA Literary Studies (pathways in: American Literature and Culture; Caribbean Literature and Its Diasporas; Comparative Literature and Criticism; Critical Theory; Modern Literature; Romantic and Victorian Literature and Culture; Shakespeare; Early & Modern)
• MA Multilingualism, Linguistics and Education
• MA Sociocultural Linguistics
• MA Translation (pathways in: Translation Studies; Cultural Tourism, Hospitality and Cultural Heritage; and English-Chinese Translation and Interpreting)

*NB: These MA fee-waiver bursaries will be in addition to the Goldsmiths Excellence and Alumni fee-waivers.

Overseas students may apply for these fee waivers but should note that the value of each award will be equal to the fees applicable for home/EU students. Exclusions and adjustments based on other awards held may apply.

MPhil/PhD Fee Waivers

Up to an equivalent of two full-time fee waivers for full-time and/or part-time MPhil/PhD students, for the academic session 2023-24. 

Applications from students working in any field of creative writing, literary criticism, linguistics and translation are welcome. All other things being equal, the Department may give preference, in the case of one of the bursaries, to high-quality applications focussing on literature before 1830.

Applicants for these fee waivers must have formally applied for entry to the MA or MPhil/PhD programmes (application links can be found on the relevant programme pages) and must include with their application two academic referees.

Overseas students as well as home/EU students may apply for the fee waivers, but should note that the value of each award will be equal to the fees applicable for home/EU students. Students in receipt of AHRC funding for the same programme may not apply. Exclusions and adjustment based on other awards held may also apply.

For current MPhil/PhD students

Up to an equivalent of 1 full-time fee waiver, which might take that form or the form of up to 2 part-time fee waivers, for the academic session 2023-24. 

Current students should include a covering letter, CV and a supporting statement from their current supervisor.

(Current MPhil/PhD students now holding, or having held, fee waivers may re-apply for these awards, as appropriate. Students on completion or continuation status are not eligible to apply.)

Applying for fee waivers

Students can apply for the ECW Fee Waiver by completing the relevant MA/PhD form on the ECW Fee Waiver Criteria and guidance page.

Informal enquiries about ECW Fee Waivers may be directed to the Arts & Humanities School Interim Team ah(@gold.ac.uk).

As part of the MA Multilingualism, Language and Education programme, there are three places available for students to spend a minimum of two months at our partner institution the Federal University of Bahia (Salvador, Brazil).

Students can apply for this opportunity through Goldsmiths once they have enrolled on the MA. Successful students will not have to pay tuition fees, and will receive a grant for living expenses while in Salvador provided by Erasmus+ and the UK National Agency.

Students will be able to conduct their research projects as well as take a range of modules at the host institution.