The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field. This course is also offered at overseas and Manukau location. English The PhD is an opportunity to engage in advanced research. This research can be carried out in any area within the Faculty of Arts, provided that supervision is available and the research proposal and supervision arrangements are approved by the University. The PhD is by thesis only. It consists of supervised research work culminating in a thesis of approximately 80,000 words. Students meet regularly with supervisors to discuss research and writing in progress. In the first 'provisional' year of registration PhD students must meet the goals established for that year. Research opportunities Research areas include, but are not limited to: New Zealand Literature Maori and Pacific literature Settlement studies Postcolonial and Global literatures in English Medieval and early modern literature Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature Eighteenth Century Literature Nineteenth-century literature Modernist and Contemporary literature American Literature Irish literature Poetry Drama The Novel Writing studies Creative writing Staff in English, Drama and Writing Studies have individual specialist research expertise in the following: Women’s writing and Gender studies narrative theory literary and cultural theory indigenous studies evolution and literature children’s literature popular fiction psychoanalysis and literature Programme structure The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree. On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam. As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community. Where could this programme take you? Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.