Department of English and Related Literature

Discover a world of literature at York.

Research

Our research ranges across periods and around the globe.

We nurture an environment for collaboration, critical and creative thinking, interdisciplinary work and thought-provoking discussion.

Explore our research

Texts and narrative shape and change the world. Our commitment to understanding how literature reflects and makes the past, present and future is embedded within curiosity-driven modules and flexible degrees that are delivered by expert teachers, researchers and writers.

Professor Jennie Batchelor, Head of Department

8th in the UK

for English (Complete University Guide 2025).

Learn more

Top ten department

We're a top ten research department according to the Times Higher Education Rankings of the latest REF results (2021).

Learn more

Athena Swan Silver

We are very proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to promoting equality.

Learn more

34th in the world

for English and Related Literature (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024).

Learn more

News

Publication news: 'J. R. R. Tolkien: A Very Short Introduction'

Congratulations to Matt Townend, who has just published 'J. R. R. Tolkien: A Very Short Introduction' (Oxford University Press).

Posted on 4 November 2024

Looking for PhD funding in Arts & Humanities?

The WRoCAH competition for PhD studentships starting in October 2025 is now open!

Posted on 31 October 2024

Freya Sierhuis awarded Oxford Visiting Fellowship

Congratulations to Freya Sierhuis, who has been awarded a Visiting Fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford for Michaelmas Term 2024.

Posted on 10 September 2024

Publication news: Matt Townend on 'The Victorians and English Dialect'

Congratulations to Matt Townend, who has just published 'The Victorians and English Dialect: Philology, Fiction, and Folklore' (Oxford University Press).

Posted on 27 August 2024

More news