De La Salle University

What you'll study

The PhD in Literature is organised around a combination of advanced coursework, comprehensive examinations, research seminars and an original doctoral dissertation. The programme emphasises rigorous training in literary theory and methods, close reading, archival research, and specialised study of Philippine and Asian literary traditions in relation to global literatures.

• Core coursework: advanced literary theory, research methods in the humanities, historiography of literature, and scholarly writing and publishing.
• Specialist modules: Philippine literature in English and in Filipino, Southeast Asian literatures, comparative and world literatures, postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality in literature, and translation studies.
• Methodology and skills: qualitative research methods, archival and field research techniques, digital humanities tools for textual analysis, and pedagogy for higher education.
• Research seminars and colloquia: regular seminars where candidates present work-in-progress, receive peer and supervisor feedback, and participate in department research culture and public lectures.
• Dissertation: a sustained piece of original research that makes a clear scholarly contribution to the field. Candidates prepare a dissertation proposal, pass comprehensive examinations, and complete the dissertation under the guidance of appointed supervisors, culminating in an oral defence.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities for supervised teaching, conference participation, and publication in peer-reviewed journals are integral to the programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master's degree (MA, MPhil, or equivalent) in literature, literary studies, cultural studies, comparative literature, or a closely related humanities discipline. Admission is competitive and based on academic merit and research potential.

• Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate programmes.
• A clear and feasible research proposal outlining the intended dissertation topic, research questions, methodology and bibliography.
• A writing sample such as a master's thesis or a publishable-length article demonstrating analytic and argumentative ability.
• Letters of recommendation (typically two or three) from academic referees who can speak to the applicant’s research potential.
• An interview with programme faculty; some applicants may be asked to sit an entrance examination or satisfy language competence requirements in English and/or Filipino depending on research needs.
• Relevant professional experience and evidence of prior publications are advantageous but not strictly required.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Literature proceed to a range of careers that draw on deep analytical, research and communication skills. Typical career paths include:

• University and college teaching and academic research positions locally and internationally.
• Research and policy roles in cultural institutions, government cultural agencies, and NGOs focused on humanities programming.
• Editorial, curatorial and publishing careers in academic and trade publishing, journals, and literary organisations.
• Roles in arts administration, museum and archive management, and community literary projects where critical and historical expertise is valued.
• Consultancy and public scholarship, including writing, criticism, and media engagement on literary and cultural issues.

Why study at De La Salle University

De La Salle University offers the PhD in Literature within a research-active humanities environment known for interdisciplinary collaboration across cultural studies, history and communication. Candidates benefit from experienced faculty supervisors whose research covers Philippine, Asian and global literatures, and from a programme that supports publication and conference participation.

• Research resources: access to the university libraries, special collections and nearby archival holdings in Metro Manila that are essential for scholarship in Philippine and regional literatures.
• Interdisciplinary networks: opportunities to collaborate with scholars in allied departments and research centres, and to participate in public lectures, workshops and colloquia hosted by the university.
• Professional development: structured support for teaching experience, grant applications, and scholarly dissemination to prepare graduates for academic careers.
• Regional relevance: a strong emphasis on Philippine and Southeast Asian contexts combined with comparative and theoretical training that positions graduates for both local and international scholarship.

The programme is suited to highly motivated researchers who seek to contribute original scholarship to literary studies and to engage with teaching, public humanities and cultural leadership.