Subject requirements and preferences for individual courses are given in each course entry. The Department has research interests in all areas of English literature, and in related areas ranging from Old Icelandic to modern American poetry, rhetoric and contemporary cultural interpretation. Important research groups include one headed by Professor Roberts working on Old English lexicography and exploring the word-fields established by the Old English pilot thesaurus. The Browning Studies Centre holds important computer files of text and correspondence. Applicants are normally considered in December and January.
Teaching is mainly by seminars and small classes.
It provides a qualification for candidates who seek to pursue a higher degree in the Department, as well as certifying that the candidate has achieved a satisfactory standard in both the comprehension and composition of the English language, and in the understanding and critical discussion of literary texts. PhD Professor de la Mare is responsible for the training in Latin palaeography and codicology of postgraduate students from all Schools and Institutes in the University. Classes and lectures are given every year for MA and research students in the fields of classical, medieval and renaissance studies. Classes in Greek palaeography are arranged by the Institute of Classical Studies and in Diplomatic and English documentary hands by the Institute of Historical Research. PhD degrees whose research is in her own field of later medieval palaeography, especially Italian.