University of Geneva

What you'll study

The PhD in Lettres is structured around independent research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by coursework, seminars and transferable-skills training. Research areas commonly include comparative literature, modern and classical literatures, linguistics, philology, literary theory, cultural studies, translation studies and history of ideas. Candidates normally undertake:

• Supervised research culminating in an original dissertation that contributes to scholarship in the chosen field.
• Advanced research seminars and reading courses tailored to the candidate's topic and methodology.
• Methodological training in areas such as critical theory, archive and edition techniques, digital humanities methods, corpus linguistics or ethnographic approaches, depending on the project.
• Opportunities to present work at departmental workshops, conferences and research colloquia, and to publish articles or book chapters during candidature.
• Teaching practice or assistantships, where available, to develop pedagogical skills and professional experience.

Depending on the specific doctoral programme within the Faculty of Letters, candidates may be required to complete a limited number of credit-bearing courses, language proficiency requirements, or a progress report/defence at an intermediate stage of the doctorate.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised master’s degree (or equivalent) in literature, languages, linguistics, or a closely related humanities discipline, with a record of strong academic performance. Typical application components include:

• A detailed research proposal that defines the research question, situates it in current scholarship, and outlines methodology and a provisional timeline.
• Academic transcripts and a certified copy of the master’s diploma.
• Curriculum vitae demonstrating academic and research experience.
• Two or three academic references attesting to the applicant’s research potential.
• A writing sample, such as a master’s thesis chapter or an academic article.
• Language proficiency evidence: projects in French-speaking contexts commonly require a high level of French; competence in other languages relevant to the project (for example English, German, Italian, or languages of primary sources) is often expected.

Prospective candidates are strongly advised to contact potential supervisors in the Faculty of Letters before applying to ensure alignment of research interests and supervisory capacity. Admission is also subject to approval by the relevant doctoral committee. Funding decisions and teaching assistantship availability are assessed separately from admission.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD in Lettres pursue a wide range of careers in and beyond academia. Common pathways include:

• Research and teaching positions in universities and higher education institutions (postdoctoral fellowships, lectureships, professorships).
• Research roles in national and international research centres, cultural institutes and think tanks.
• Editorial, publishing and literary-cultural roles, including editorial management and literary translation.
• Positions in museums, archives, libraries, heritage organisations and cultural policy bodies where advanced skills in textual analysis, curation and critical interpretation are valued.
• Careers in media, communications, and public engagement that draw on strong writing, analysis and project management skills.

The doctorate also furnishes transferable skills—advanced research design, project management, scholarly writing, languages and teaching experience—that are attractive to employers across the public and private sectors.

Why study at University of Geneva

The University of Geneva offers a multilingual, international research environment with a long-standing Faculty of Letters and close links to regional and international cultural institutions. Strengths of studying here include access to specialised libraries and archives, interdisciplinary research centres, and regular departmental seminars and colloquia that foster exchange across literature, linguistics and cultural studies.

Doctoral candidates benefit from structured doctoral training and support services provided by the university’s Doctoral School, opportunities for collaboration with neighbouring institutions and international organisations based in Geneva, and a supervisory body with expertise spanning historical and contemporary approaches to literature and language. The city’s vibrant cultural scene and multilingual context also enhance research opportunities, particularly for projects engaging with translation, transnational literatures and comparative cultural practices.