Founded in 1854, the English program at Melbourne is one of the oldest in Australia. Since the 1970s it has been at the forefront of disciplinary innovation, championing current approaches to literary studies while maintaining a strong commitment to scholarly values, as well as encouraging a love of literature and writing. English at Melbourne is ranked first in Australia and 14th in the world according to the QS world rankings. In the ERA evaluation of research Literary Studies at Melbourne is ranked 5 ("outstanding performance well above world standard"), the highest possible score. The English program has recently merged with the Theatre Studies program, and together we offer an integrated suite of subjects that allow you to explore different modes of literary and theatrical expression, representation and performance. As a student in this program you can strive for excellence under the guidance of scholars who are highly regarded nationally and internationally. You will be encouraged to engage in intellectual discovery, critical thought and creative performance, in a community of engaged thinkers and teachers. More information...

News and events

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Highlights

  • NSW Premier's Awards: Congratulations to Honorary Professorial Fellow Ian Donaldson and to recent PhD graduate Michael Farrell on being shortlisted for the non-fiction and poetry prizes respectively.
  • Congratulations to academic staff in English and Theatre Studies for the outstanding results from the ERA survey (2012): Literary Studies 5, Performing Arts and Creative Writing 4.
  • Congratulations to Dr Rachael Swain for being awarded a DECRA for her project, "Listening to country - Indigenous dance dramaturgy in remote Australia."
  • Congratulations to Professor Ken Gelder and Assoc. Professor Denise Varney, who are the newly appointed Directors of the Australia Centre. More information...
  • Congratulations to ARC postdoc fellow Dr Michelle Smith for winning the European Society for the Study of English award. More information...
  • Graduates and the Dickens Project (UC Santa Cruz). More information...
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Research projects, journals and archives

  • More information about the various journals, research projects, archives and online resources developed and supported by the English and Theatre Studies program at Melbourne