Scholarships

The University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship

The English and Linguistics Programme at the University of Otago invites applications for a doctoral scholarship in literary studies: the University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship.

The scholarship celebrates the granting of UNESCO City of Literature status to Dunedin, New Zealand, where the main campus of the University of Otago is located. Dunedin’s rich literary history is reflected in its many writers, literary festivals, and reading series and in its world-class libraries and special collections.

Closely associated with the city’s literary heritage, the University of Otago’s Dunedin campus has been rated one of the world’s most beautiful. Located in the southern part of New Zealand, Dunedin is also close to some of the country’s most renowned natural scenery.

Who can apply?

This scholarship is available annually to support one PhD candidate whose doctoral research is focused on the study of literature. Graduates in any discipline intending to undertake research training at PhD level on a topic relevant to literature are eligible to apply.

University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship information

About PhD study

The PhD degree at the University of Otago is by thesis only. Over the course of three years of full-time study, PhD candidates are expected to produce an original piece of research of 80,000 to 100,000 words. All PhD candidates work closely with two supervisors.

The English and Linguistics Programme welcomes applications for PhD projects across a broad range of areas ranging from medieval to digital literature.

Research areas and supervision
Our strengths include New Zealand and postcolonial literature, eighteenth-century literature, Romanticism, comparative literature, global modernism, cognitive approaches to literary studies, literature and language pedagogy, linguistic approaches to literature, contemporary poetry and fiction, creative writing, Irish and Scottish studies, the history of the book, new media literature and medieval studies.

We also welcome proposals from fiction writers and poets for projects that combine research with a creative writing project, such as a novel, or a short story or poetry collection.

View our academic staff profiles to identify potential supervisors

Application process

Please note, the application process comprises two parts:

Step 1. You must first complete the online expression of interest form and secure the support and prospective supervision of a faculty member within the department. 
Step 2. Once departmental support has been obtained, you should make a formal application via the university’s online application portal.