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PhD English Literature: Courses, Admission, Eligibility Criteria, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Fees, Syllabus, Jobs, Top Recruiters, Salary

Ahana Bhaduri's profile picture

Updated on Mar 13, 2025

Ahana Bhaduri

PhD English Literature is a 5-year degree course that is pursued by students who have cleared their graduation and postgraduation in relevant subjects from a recognized college/university. PhD English Literature is a doctorate program whose admissions are strictly based on national-level and state-level entrance exams such as UGC NET, JNUEE, and SET. 

The average course fee for pursuing PhD English Literature is between INR 10,000 and INR 1,50,000. Candidates after completing the course are offered various job roles such as assistant professor, research scholar, teacher, editor, critic, and others. 

PhD English Literature Course Highlights

Parameters Details
Full Form Doctorate of Philosophy in English Literature
Course Duration 3 - 5 years
Eligibility Criteria Postgraduate in English Literature or any other relevant subject
Admission Process Entrance Exams
Entrance Exams UGC NET, SET, and JNUEE
Course Fees (INR) 10,000 - 1,50,000
Top Colleges as per NIRF Rankings 2024 Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, and University of Delhi
Jobs Writer, Assistant Professor, Teacher, Journalist, Researcher, Critic
Top Recruiters Times Group, ABP Group, Publication House, Deloitte, KPMG, TCS
Average Salary (INR) 10 LPA - 13 LPA

PhD English Literature Eligibility Criteria

The list of eligibility criteria required to pursue PhD English Literature courses has been discussed below in detail for your reference. 

  • Candidates must complete their masters degree in English Literature or any other relevant subject
  • They must score a minimum aggregate of 55% and above or an equivalent CGPA from a recognized college or university
  • 5% relaxation on total aggregate score is given to students from reserved categories.

PhD English Literature Admission Procedure

The step-wise admission process for PhD English Literature courses at the Jawaharlal Nehru University is discussed below for your reference. 

  • The first step to secure admission includes candidates filling out the application form, irrespective of the category of qualifying UGC NET or CSIR UGC NET
  • Candidates must then visit the official website of JNU and register themselves if they are a first-time user. Candidates should then register their mobile numbers and e-mail addresses. 
  • Candidates must then enter their application numbers and the password that was generated after logging in
  • They must then fill the necessary details, followed by uploading supporting documents
  • They must then submit the application form and pay the requisite fee amount
  • Once the application is submitted successfully, candidates will then be called in for viva-voice rounds, where they are required to prepare a detailed research proposal
  • After the viva voice is completed, a merit list will be published for the list of candidates whose research proposals have been accepted
  • The merit list will also display the name of the designated supervisors for the project
  • The JNU committee will then offer admissions to selected candidates, who must then pay their fees and secure admissions.

PhD English Literature Important Documents Required

The list of crucial documents that must be provided while processing admissions to PhD English Literature courses is discussed below. The references have been taken from Jawaharlal Nehru University PhD English Literature courses. 

  • Class 10th and 12th marksheets
  • Graduation and Postgraduation marksheets
  • JNUEE Admit Card
  • JNUEE Score Card
  • Address Proof
  • Category Certificate
  • Transfer Certificate
  • Migration Certificate

Note: Candidates who wish to apply for the JRF (Junior Research Fellow) program are required to submit additional documents, such as their JRF certificate. 

PhD English Literature Entrance Exams and Application Deadlines

The list of entrance exams along with their tentative dates for the session 2025 have been tabulated below for your reference. 

Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates
UGC NET 2025 To be Updated 2nd week of June 2025 (Tentative)
CSIR UGC NET 2025 December 9, 2024 - January 2, 2025 February 28 - March 2, 2025
JNUEE 2025 November 23 - December 2, 2024 January 3–7, 2025

PhD English Literature Syllabus

The year-wise syllabus for PhD English Literature courses at the Jawaharlal Nehru University is tabulated below for your reference. 

Category Course Code Course Title
Research Methodology ES 601 E Research Methodology
English Language ES 602 E History And Development of English Language
ES 603 E Phonology and Syntax of English
ES 604 E Structure of Contemporary English
ES 605 E Current Theories of English Language Teaching
ES 606 E English in Contact
ES 607 E Language and Interpretation
ES 608 E Socio-Linguistic Study of Literature
ES 609 E Stylistics and Discourse Analysis
Literature in Other Englishes ES 621 E English Writings in the Third World
ES 622 E Indian English in Its Socio-Cultural & Historical Setting
ES 623 E Teaching of English in India
ES 631 E African Literature in English
ES 632 E Contemporary Australian Literature
ES 636 E Readings in American Literature
ES 637 E African-American Literature
Translation Studies and Comparative Literature and Poetics ES 641 E Translation of Literary Texts
ES 642 E Comparative Literature
ES 646 E Literature in India
ES 647 E Indian Poetics
ES 648 E Indian Philosophical Tradition
ES 649 E Indian Linguistic Tradition
ES 650 E Vakyapadiya: Philosophy of Language & Linguistics
Literary Theory and Criticism ES 656 E Critical Approaches to Literature
ES 657 E Readings in English Literary Criticism
ES 658 E New Criticism
ES 661 E Introduction to Contemporary Literary Theory
ES 662 E Twentieth Century Literary Theory
ES 666 E Novel and Society
ES 667 E Women and Literature
ES 668 E Literature of Colonialism & Decolonization
ES 669 E Literature and Philosophy
Semiotics, Structuralism, etc. ES 676 E Semiotics of Creative Process in Language & Literature
ES 677 E Saussure and Semiology
ES 678 E Structuralism and Literary Critique
ES 679 E Post-Structuralism
Culture Studies ES 681 E Interpretation of Texts
ES 682 E Conceptual Structures in Language, Literature, Art & Culture
Involvement ES 690 E Seminar: I
ES 691 E Seminar: II

PhD English Literature Top Colleges

The list of top PhD English colleges as ranked by the NIRF for the year 2024 has been tabulated below for your reference. 

Ranks by NIRF 2024 Name of the Colleges Admission Criteria
2 Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Exam Based
3 Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance Exam Based
5 Banaras Hindu University Entrance Exam Based
6 University of Delhi Entrance Exam Based
9 Jadavpur University Entrance Exam Based
18 Calcutta University Entrance Exam Based
20 Chandigarh University Entrance Exam Based / Merit
27 Lovely Professional University Entrance Exam Based / Merit
32 Amity University Entrance Exam Based / Merit
61 University of Mumbai Entrance Exam Based

PhD English Literature Jobs and Salary

The table below describes the various job profiles, along with an approximate salary for each profile for your reference. 

Job Profiles Fresher Salary (INR) Average Salary (INR) Highest Salary (INR)
Editor 5 LPA 10 LPA 13 LPA
Researcher 3 LPA 7 LPA 12 LPA
Assistant Professor 7.20 LPA 13 LPA 21 LPA & above
Teacher 5.50 LPA 9.70 LPA 12 LPA

*Note: The source of the salaries mentioned above is Glassdoor. However, the salaries might vary from website to website. Experience and educational degree also contribute as deciding factors while determining the salary of a particular job profile. 

PhD English Literature Top Recruiters

Tabulated below are the top recruiters for PhD English Literature courses for your reference. 

ABP Group Times Group Publication Houses
Deloitte TCS James Walter Thompson
PWC Bazaar India Femina

PhD English Literature: FAQs

What is the total duration of the PhD English Literature course in India?

Ans. Candidates must complete their PhD English Literature in a span of 2–5 years.

What is the eligibility for pursuing a PhD in English literature?

Ans. Candidates must complete their master's degree in English literature or any other relevant subject with a minimum aggregate score of 55% and above or an equivalent CGPA from a recognized college or university.

What is the average salary of a professor after pursuing a PhD in English literature?

Ans. The average salary of a professor after completing a PhD in English literature is INR 18.20 LPA.

Is PhD English Literature a merit-based admission process?

Ans. No, candidates aspiring to pursue a PhD in English literature must clear either of the entrance exams, such as UGC NET, JNUEE, or CSIR UGC NET.

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