Students are admitted to graduate study, only in the fall, by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) on the recommendation of the Department. Entering classes average five to ten students. Students must apply either to the six-year PhD program or the one-year Master of Arts program, although applicants who are accepted to the PhD may elect to complete a three- or three-and-a-half-year MPhil degree instead. (For further details on this alternative, please consult the Yale University Graduate School Programs and Policies.)
Special Admissions Requirements for English
Before contacting the department with any questions concerning applying to our program, please consult the information on this webpage and the information available from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. It is not necessary, nor do we recommend, that you write directly to the director of graduate studies or individual faculty members regarding your application. If you have questions after you read what is online, please write the Department Registrar. For equity, we regret that we are unable to arrange meetings with prospective applicants.
Applications should be accompanied by a personal statement of academic purpose and a writing sample, in a literary critical mode, of up to twenty double-spaced pages, excluding works cited; if your sample is longer than the recommended length, you can submit an excerpt with a brief explanation at the top of how it fits into the larger paper.
Selection is based on the applicant’s undergraduate record; evidence of motivation supplied in the personal statement; evidence of ability to do advanced work as expressed in the writing sample and supported by three letters of recommendation; and preparation in languages sufficient to satisfy the language requirement. We do not accept GRE scores. TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English; see exemptions listed on the GSAS Standardized Testing Requirements page.
The application deadline is December 1. Note: The deadline for those applying for a combined PhD program is always the earlier deadline of the two individual programs. The application is available online through the GSAS Admissions page. All application materials, supporting credentials and recommendations, and application fee must be received by the deadline to be considered by Yale for admission.
We do not conduct interviews as part of our admissions process. Applicants are notified as admissions decisions become available, in February and March.
Combined Programs
The Department of English offers combined PhD with Black Studies, Early Modern Studies, Film and Media Studies, History of Art, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
General New Student Information
The Office for Graduate Student Development and Diversity is committed to building and maintaining a nurturing and caring community of scholars where students from diverse backgrounds and experiences are supported in their professional and intellectual goals and pursuits.
The McDougal Center serves as “information central” for incoming students. The Center can address new student questions about families, childcare, parking, travel, schedules, or other areas of life at Yale and in New Haven.
Living in New Haven is a Yale-wide web page for all prospective & current students, faculty & staff. Pictures, video testimonials, neighborhood profiles and information links on community, housing culture, shopping, transit and services in New Haven are posted on the site.
The Yale Visitor Center offers tours, exhibits, attractions, lodging, directions, and more.
Gateway for Incoming Students provides an Orientation schedule and important academic dates.
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Programs and Policies, aka ”The Blue Book,” lists policies, programs and courses, is available online in August each academic year.
Our Graduate Housing office begins to accept applications for on-campus dormitories and apartments on April 22, and Off-Campus properties begin leasing apartments now for summer. Apply promptly, as space is limited.